St. Patrick’s Day Beer Saints

What American doesn’t associated St. Patrick with drinking beer? Alas, nothing could be further from the truth!

The Myth: St. Patrick is the Patron Saint of Beer Drinkers

Not true. But there are several other saints who are considered protectors of beer drinkers and brewers (this might have something to do with the fact that they loved to drink beer themselves!).

Let’s start with St. Arnold of Soissons. This man got the church brewing beer, handed out beer to church goers (talk about PR!). In the photo below he holds a mashing rake. And FYI, St. Arnold’s holiday is on July 8.

Them there’s Saint Benedict who, in the 1st Century, got monks brewing beer in their monasteries, partly to make them more self-sufficient.

Legend has it that beer-loving St. Brigit of Kildare, in Ireland, was able to produce vast amounts of ale from a single barrel and change bath water into ale.

Augustine of Hippo started out as a tippler and womanizer, but reportedly had a transformation (or rather, he was converted) mid-life and became a moderate drinker and patron of brewers.

There are more saints than we’ve listed here – some more debatable and dubious than others. But whichever suits your fancy, hoist a beer and wish them good cheer.