We celebrate with Old Tom's biggest fans
A birthday dedicated to Old Tom drinkers everywhere
There is no doubt that our rich and malty ale has touched the lips of thousands of Stopfordians and beyond, finding its place across many family homes and cosy pub corners. To celebrate this milestone and recognise the heritage and loyalty of Old Tom’s drinkers, we’re dedicating this momentous birthday to all Old Tom drinkers across our home counties.
We encouraged Old Tom’s fans to share their memories, stories, and feelings about the beer that has been around longer than any of its drinkers. Here you'll see a selection of poems created by a local writing group, The Writing Squad, bringing over 60 memories to life through four written poems. You'll find the poems displayed across a selection of pubs celebrating Old Tom Day on 2nd November, including a feature wall attached to the Arden Arms in Stockport town centre.
Enjoy the poems below created by the contributions of:
Liz Law. Lee Walker. Craig Fairfield. Adam N. Jonathan Baines. James Mather. Steve Gornall. Mark Ruby. Perry Freeman. Billy Kelly. Geoff Williamson. Jennifer Brighouse. Roger Walker. John Walker.
Sketch the Cat
Old Tom cat peers out from between the empty casks,
waiting for them to be filled. Watches the beer
before it is beer, ferment. Sees anecdotes
brew: a grandad buying ale – swears
it will put hairs on your chest. Friends sit
around the last embers of a firepit,
bats snatch midges from summer air,
toast to those no longer here.
This hinge, this bridge, this drink has history.
Fred draws feline thoughts from the hoppy fumes,
the page imbibes the recipe that lasts longer
than a century – maker of memories.
Pump the tap, fill the glass, sketch the cat.
Old Tom sorts the wheat from the chaff.
Delicious Occasions
A timeline of delicious occasions stretch
from the brewery, through bottle or keg,
to now, where this sip will quench
a thirst for things worth remembering.
The first pint bought by a dad for his child,
a tradition to mark their adulthood starting.
Some saving Old Tom as a treat for winter,
and plenty of others for whom it’s their regular.
A Granddad buys a bottle to keep for later.
There is a cat winking from the dark,
in the pub, fire purring in the hearth.
The ale brewing, a perfected art.
More than what can simply fill a glass,
like all the stories that we haven’t told,
and all the stories that are yet to unfold.
An Ode to Old Tom
Tonight the pub is filled with laughter;
special occasions full-swing in every corner.
A lad turned 18 takes sips of a beer,
as is tradition, bought by his father.
A toast to a loved one passed to the hereafter,
their favourite ale, every mouthful savored.
A group in waterproofs, clearly hikers,
reward themselves with a half and a breather.
The retiree buys a bottle for later,
‘Helps to sustain my mood through the winter’.
Behind the scenes Old Tom looks after his drink forever,
guards the brewery, curls up, purrs quiet as a whisper.
One for the Beer Mats
Put a half of Old Tom on the table,
warms the chest like log in the fire.
Fond memories in a sip of this ale.
Put a half of Old Tom on the table
Here’s a pint of Old Tom for a toast,
to mark countless years that we have been friends;
retelling stories over our pub roast.
Here’s a pint of Old Tom for a toast.
We can thank Old Tom for the tales.
Like the beer, they are all full-flavoured.
Only the best we will share with details.
We can thank Old Tom for the tales
Grab a bottle of Old Tom for the road
because at home we are having a feast.
There is no better drink that I know.
