Saint Arnold was born in a prominent Austrian family in 580 in the Chateau of Lay-Saint-Christophe in the old French diocese of Toul; north of Nancy. He married Doda with whom he had many sons, two of who m were to become famous: Clodulphe, later called Saint Cloud, and Ansegis who married Begga, daughter of Pepin de Landen. Ansegis and Begga are the great-great-grandparents of Charlemagne, and as such, Saint Arnold is the oldest known ancestor of the Caro lingian dynasty.

   Saint Arnold was acclaimed bishop of Metz, France, in 612 and spend his holy life warning peasants about the dangers of drinking water. Beer was safe and "from man's sweat and God's love, beer came into the world." The people revered Arnold. In 627, Saint Arnold retired to a monastery near Remiremont, France, where he died on August 16, 640.

   In 641, the citizens of Metz requested that Saint Arnold's body be exhumed and ceremoniously carried to Metz for reburial in their Church of the Holy Apostles. During this voyage a miracle came to pass in the town of Champignuelles. The tired porters and followers stopped for a rest and walked into a tavern for a drink of their favorite beverage. Regretfully, there was only one mug of beer to be shared, but that mug never ran dry and all of the thirsty pilgrims were satisfied.

Saint Arnold is recognized by the Catholic Church as the Patron Saint of Brewers.