As famous as Scotch Whisky, Edinburgh Castle

or Haggis – Scotland’s Irn-Bru launches a limited edition 1901 version in December 2019

Almost as famous as Scotch Whisky, the Forth Bridge or Haggis, IRN-BRU’s status as a major Scottish National brand was established during the 1970’s and 1980’s. The product’s strap line “Your other national drink – made in Scotland from Girders.” became one of Scottish advertising’s most memorable strap lines.

The origin of IRN-BRU start back in 1901. Steel workers working on the re-building of Glasgow’s Central Station were known to drink too much beer when quenching their thirst. In response, a local soft drinks manufacturer named A.G.Barr decided to produce a tonic-like drink containing caffeine and sugar that could help get the workers through their daily graft. The drink was a hit, Iron Brew was born and its long history of helping Scots through tough situations began.

IN 1946, the UK soft drinks industry proposed amendments to Food labeling regulations. This meant it would be illegal to use a name which was not considered literally true. It would have banned Iron Brew since, although it did contain iron, it was never brewed. Quick thinking on the part of A.G.Bar renamed their popular drink ‘IRN-BRU’ and it became an instantly recognizable name.

December 2018 sees the launch of a limited edition version of the original 1901 drink. Made to the original 1901 recipe from a handwritten book hidden safely in the company archives for over 100 years, IRN-BRU 1901 is said to be like nothing anyone has tasted for over 100 years. Based on the ‘original and unimproved’ recipe from 1901 this limited edition will be sold in 75cl glass bottles priced around £2, just as it was back in 1901.

Robin Barr, the great-grandson of the soft drinks company’s founder Robert Barr who unearthed the original recipe, is quoted as saying: “The 1901 recipe has aged beautifully over the last 118 years. For a limited time we’ll be producing a premium ‘old and unimproved’ IRN-BRU 1901, just as it was enjoyed by our first fans. This is IRN-BRU as you’ve never tasted it. It’s a chance to enjoy a unique and authentic piece of Scottish history.”

Links for Reference:

https://www.agbarr.co.uk/about-us/news/old-and-unimproved-1901-launched/

https://foodanddrink.scotsman.com/drink/yassssss-empty-the-shelves-irn-bru-fans-react-to-return-of-original-recipe/

EDITOR’S NOTE: Did you know that there is an Irn-Bru Tartan?

The AG Barr tartan was designed by Howe Design in 1969. It was updated and redesigned in 1996/97 by Kinloch Anderson when the name changed to Irn-Bru tartan. The tartan was registered with the Scottish Tartans Society on 12th September 1997 and the colours are based on the iconic brand’s packaging.