Robinsons Brewery

Why it matters

Keeper of Old Tom, one of the very few English strong ales brewed continuously since the nineteenth century — most of the category was reconstructed rather than inherited.

Details

Reference beers

• Robinsons Old Tom8.5% ABV

  A Stockport strong ale brewed continuously since the nineteenth century, and one of the few English old ales that was never reconstructed.

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Styles it is associated with

• Old ale — A matured English strong ale with dried fruit, treacle and often a trace of oxidative or wild character from age.
• Best bitter — A step up from ordinary bitter in strength and depth, with more malt body while staying firmly sessionable.

Traditions

• British cask ale — Beer that completes its fermentation in the container it is served from and is dispensed without added gas, at cellar rather than fridge temperature.