Old Tom History
The History of Old Tom
On 1st November 1899, Robinsons’ Head Brewer Alfred ‘Fred’ Munton put pen to paper and wrote down the recipe for his new brew, ‘No. 261. Old Tom’. Alongside his recipe, he quickly sketched an image of the brewery cat who had inspired his new ale, and who is still the face of Old Tom today. Since this winter’s day at the end of the 19th century, Old Tom has been in continuous production. It is recognised as one of the world’s premier strong ales, winning multiple national and international awards for its flavour and design. This year, Old Tom celebrates 125 years of brewing. In the words of our late Director David Robinson... ‘We can claim without serious challenge that there is nothing quite like Robinsons Old Tom Ale.’
125th Birthday
2024
Old Tom celebrates 125 years of continuous production. A limited edition bottle featuring the earliest Old Tom label in the Robinsons Brewery Archives is released for the occasion.
A Coronation Ale
2023
Old Tom is used as the base recipe for Robinsons’ Coronation Ale, released to celebrate the accession of King Charles III.
Old Tom gets a new look
2017
Old Tom gets an innovative rebrand and wins World’s Best Designed Beer at the World Beer Awards.
A festive Tom
2012 - 2013
Tom & Berry, a winter warmer variant on the Old Tom recipe brewed for the festive season, is first introduced to customers. It has continued to be brewed as a seasonal ale for the winter months. This popular beer would return in 2022, 2023 and 2024.
Ginger Tom & Chocolate Tom
2008
Robinsons release two new variants of Old Tom – Ginger Tom, brewed with ginger root and botanical extracts, and Chocolate Tom, brewed with cocoa. Ginger Tom was so popular that it's become a permanent feature of the Old Tom range.
Old Tom crowned Worlds Best Ale
2007 - 2009
The World Beer Awards are the global awards selecting the very best internationally recognised beer styles. Organised by www.tastingbeers.com, this annual tasting selects, awards and promotes the 'Best Beers in the World' to consumers throughout the world. In 2007 & 2009 Robinsons Old Tom picked up the ultimate accolade when it was named the World's Best Ale, described as "dangerously drinkable" and a "Mozartian symphony" of beer by the judging panel.
More praise for Old Tom
2000s
The turn of the 21st century sees more awards flood in for Old Tom – including from CAMRA, the World Beer Awards and the Brewing Industry Awards.
CAMRA - Champion Winter Beer of Britain
1990
The Champion Winter Beer of Britain (also known as WiBOB) is an award presented by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), at their annual National Winter Ales Festival in January. Old Tom has won this accolade in 1990, 94, 97, 00, 02, 03, 23 and was voted Overall Champion in 2001.
Awards for Old Tom
1980s
In 1987, Old Tom is named Best Strong Ale at CAMRA’s Great British Beer Festival. This wasn’t to be the last award for Old Tom…
Young Tom
1960s
Robinsons release Young Tom – a blonde, lower ABV ale – as a companion beer to Old Tom.
Old Tom gets a new look
1940s
In the late 1940s, Robinsons commission J. & J. Murdoch of Glasgow to design a new front and neck label for Old Tom.
Old Tom in bottle
1930s
Initially only available on draught, Old Tom becomes available in bottle, attracting a wider audience of ale drinkers.
The end of an era
1918
Alfred Munton, the man behind Old Tom, passes away after almost 30 years as Head Brewer at Robinsons.
The first brew
1899
On 1 November 1899, Robinsons’ Head Brewer Alfred ‘Fred’ Munton writes down the recipe for Old Tom for the first time. Alongside the recipe, he sketches the brewery cat who inspired the name of the ale, marking the beginning of the Old Tom story.
