5 Patron Saints of Beer

“From man’s sweat and God’s love, beer came into the world.” – St. Arnulf of Metz
Ah, beer. This blessed brew is one of life’s great enjoyments and an incontrovertible sign of God’s great love for us.
Brewed by monks for centuries, beer has always had a close relationship to Catholicism. In fact, Holy Mother Church has proven her love for this beverage by enshrining of an official beer blessing in the texts of the Roman Ritual.
Today, I want to share 5 holy men who have the distinction of being named patron saints of the noble art of brewing.
1. St. Arnulf of Metz – Perhaps the most famous of brewing patrons is St. Arnulf of Metz. St. Arnulf was a bishop and advisor to king Theudebert II of Austrasia. After his death at Remiremont Abbey, parishioners from his former diocese of Metz, who already venerated him as a saint, went to recover his body. The journey was during a particularly hot part of the year, and the travelers were ready to faint of thirst. One of the parishioners, by the name of Duc Notto, cried out, “By his powerful intercession the Blessed Arnold will bring us what we lack.” Miraculously, their supply of beer was replenished and lasted until they returned home.
2. St. Gambrinus – First of all, St. Gambrinus is not really a saint. In fact, it’s unclear whether he was a real person or simply a myth based on real personages. Nevertheless, St. Gambrinus embodies the joyful enjoyment of alcohol, and has even been credited by some with being the inventor of beer. Other say he learned the art of brewing from the gods, and still others say he simply was a man who could down epic amounts of beer. Regardless, he is famous in European folklore for typifying the merriment brought by the blessed brew.
3. St. Augustine – The Doctor of Grace is the patron saint of many things, not the least of