New beer: Saint Arnold Pub Crawl Pale Ale

New beer from Houston brewer set to go on sale Jan. 16, 2017. New beer from Houston brewer set to go on sale Jan. 16, 2017. Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close New beer: Saint Arnold Pub Crawl Pale Ale 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

With more than two decades in business, Saint Arnold Brewing Co. is paying homage to one of its defining characteristics - the brewery-sponsored pub crawl - with its newest release.

I remember as a mid-1990s newcomer marveling as the Rice Village pub crawl crew would blow through my neighborhood spots. Soon, I was joining the fun, getting my card stamped at each stop, earning a souvenir glass.

I live in the Heights now and have been amazed by the enormous crowds that swamp White Oak Drive during the Heights pub crawl heralding the arrival of Spring Bock.

Now comes Saint Arnold Pub Crawl Pale Ale to offer a loving tribute. The canned beer on draft is expected to hit the local scene on Monday, Jan. 16, and extend beyond Houston and into Louisiana in April. A slew of kickoff events is scheduled (see list at the end of this post).

Update: This post originally stated that cans also would be available on Monday as well. A spokeswoman says the cans will hit the shelves in March or April.

RELATED: Saint Arnold's emphasis on tradition and community pays off

I look forward to this beer.

Details: Brewed with Two Row Pale, Maris Otter English pale malt; Centennial hops, with Amarillo and Galaxy hops at the finish; London III yeast strain. 4.7 percent ABV (alcohol by volume) and 43 IBUs (international bitterness units).

From the brewery:

"In 1995, Brock Wagner, Founder/Brewer of Saint Arnold Brewing Company, wanted to come up with a fun event that was allowed under the byzantine beer laws of Texas. Pre-announced promotions at specific locations were forbidden, but a pub crawl with only hints given as to where the stops would be, was legal. Thus, the Saint Arnold Pub Crawl, part pub crawl and part scavenger hunt, was born. The first one had 25 attendees and included a sit-down dinner for the entire crew at the now-defunct Village Brewery in the Rice Village neighborhood of Houston.

"The laws have changed today, but the pub crawls continue. The stops are now announced and the events are held around Houston, other Texas cities, and Louisiana. The largest crawls have topped 5,000 people.

Says Wagner in today's announcement: "While we didn't invent pub crawls, our events have become famous throughout the region. It's certainly something the Gulf Coast craft beer community has come to look forward to from us throughout the year."

From brewer Aaron Inkrott: "Our aim was to make something hoppy and balanced. This is the perfect beer for all day drinking."

Debut events, per the brewery: