The Robinsons story
The story of Robinsons is one that stretches back over 185 years, from humble beginnings to becoming one of the UK’s largest independent family brewers, with around 250 pubs across the North West and Wales.
Old Tom awards
2017
Original craft beer Old Tom receives innovative rebrand and officially named World's Best Designed Beer.
Managed houses
2015
Robinsons return to Managed Houses. Managed by our remarkable landlords and landladies, this is Robinsons’ collection of landmark pubs, restaurants and hotels.
IRON MAIDEN
Training & Visitors Centre
2013
Training Centre of Excellence and Visitors Centre opens.
Worldwide distribution
2011
Robinsons bottled ales are distributed worldwide.
New brew house
2010
£7 million investment in a new brew house.
The sixth generation
2003 - 2009
Sixth generation members of the family join the company.
New packaging centre opens
1975
A new-build packaging centre opens in Bredbury.
John Robinson Knighted
1958
William’s great grandson John is honoured with a Knighthood, for political and public services.
Expansion into Wales
1943
The first Welsh public house, The Black Lion, is bought. The Robinsons estate continues to grow.
New bottling premises
1908 - 1933
Bottling commences in a new building. New offices and a new brew house are built.
Frederic Robinson Ltd is formed
1900 - 1905
Frederic’s widow Emma owns the business and, prior to her death, Frederic Robinson Limited is formed. Fourth generation Robinsons join the board.
New chairman marries
1899
Frederic and Emma Robinson's son, went on to marry Priscilla Needham and became Chairman of Frederic Robinson Limited in 1920.
12 pubs purchased
1878
Frederic buys 12 exclusive public houses for Robinson's ales between now and his death in 1890.
Production & sales grow
1859
William’s younger son Frederic takes over the pub and buys a warehouse behind it, so brewing capacity can be expanded. Robinsons ale is now available to many pubs in and around Stockport.
First ale is brewed
1849
William moves to Heaton Norris, leaving George, his eldest son, to run the Inn. George starts to brew the first Robinsons ale.
The Unicorn pub
1838
William Robinson purchases The Unicorn pub, Lower Hillgate, Stockport, from Samuel Hole.
And that’s only part of the story! The Robinsons story is not just about the history of a brewery, it’s about a family, which has played – and continues to play – an immensely important role in the British brewing and pub industry.
Interested in learning more about our story? Our Visit England accredited Visitors Centre unearths all the best kept secrets behind the brewing process. Take the time to journey through the brew house and learn all about what makes our hopnik and cereal cooker so special. You’ll also get the opportunity to meet Bobek and Mojo, two of the few remaining ‘working’ shire horses in the British brewing industry.
