Robinson’s – Buy Local, Experience Local

Robinson’s – Buy Local, Experience Local

I’m a huge fan of supporting local businesses when it comes to the bar scene, whether its fresh fruits, farm-house preserves or interior decorators. But one aspect I always try to achieve is to collaborate with a local brewer. Being located in the North West, I’m fortunate enough to have many a name on my door-step, from micro-breweries like Prospect, Dunham Massey and Tatton to the more established like Daniel Thwaites, JW Lees and Hydes. But one that, I have to admit, has become a firm favourite with me is Robinsons. I’m an ale drinker and will always give others a try, but there’s just something about this Stockport based brewer that makes me want to learn just that little bit more about it. So I did, and hears what I found out.

Today, the brewery stands upon the foundations of the Unicorn public house. A pub that back in 1826, began the legacy of William Robinson and his tenure as landlord. After 12 years at the helm, William Robinson purchased the pub from owner Samuel Hole, but after 11 years, moved to Heaton Norris after remarrying. William left the pub to his son George who in his time started to experiment with the brewing process – the first signs of Robinsons brewery. Once 1859 rolled around, William’s younger son Frederic took over from his brother George and expanded the brewing process by purchasing a warehouse located at the back of the inn. With this expansion, Robinsons ale were able to distribute to many pubs and inns in and around the Stockport area. To further control the output of their ale, Frederic bought twelve inns between 1878 and his death in 1890, all stocking Robinsons to the best possible standards.

Heading into the 20th Century, Robinsons now had Frederic’s grandchildren joining the ranks. Their grandmother Emma (the widow of Frederic) owned the business after Frederic’s death and formed the Frederic Robinson Limited shortly before her death. With this, John, Cecil and Frederic joined Head Brewer Alfred Munton and their father and Emma and Frederic’s son William in building the company. In fact, as soon as William became Chairman, he had bought 7 pubs only 4 days later.

Despite the 1904 Licencing Act that closed many pubs, rapid expansion dominated from 1908 with bottling commencing from a new building, new offices in 1913 and a new brewhouse in 1929. In February 1926, Robinsons also acquired Portland Brewery from Ashton-Under-Lyne and with it 42 pubs, 11 of which are still under the Robinsons banner. They also acquired Kay’s Atlas Brewery in Ardwick (which incidentally was sold 7 years later) which came with 86 pubs (13 still in the Robinsons name), 40 off-licenses and a number of Thornycroft waggons.

Despite Williams death in 1933, and the outbreak of war, Robinsons never stopped and grew into Wales for the first time by naming The Black Lion as a Robinsons strong-hold in 1943. A knighthood in 1958 for John Robinson for his political and public services in Cheshire brought attention to the Robinsons on a wider scale, resulting in a new bottling and packaging centre in Bredbury in 1975. During this time, the 5th generations of Robinsons have joined as Robinsons bottle ales went worldwide with Old Tom and Unicorn leading the way.

These days Robinsons are proud to acknowledge that there 6th generation is at the helm as there new Visitors Centre is opened alongside the new Brewhouse and worlds largest hopnik (strains and maximises aroma and flavour). They have a strong hold of 360 public houses across Cheshire, Lancashire, Derbyshire, Wales, Stoke and Cumbria and continue to offer up to nine draught names, seven seasonal, eleven bottled and six speciality.

An extensive look at the brewing process that Robinsons undertake can be found on their brewery tour, ending in a well deserved ale. Speaking of which, I’ve been lucky enough try many of the Robinsons range, so below, I give to you my tasting notes -

Old Tom – 8.5%
Recognised as one of the most famous strong ales in both national and international worlds, receiving Gold for the award of Worlds Best Ale at the third annual World Beer Awards. They also won at the same ceremony the recognition of the World’s Best Dark Ale, The World’s Best Strong Ale and the Worlds Best Barley Wine. It also boasts awards from CAMRA as the Supreme Champion Winter Beer of Britain three times at the National Winter Ales Festival.

Aromas of fresh malt hit your nose straight away following by an instant mouth-watering effect of the rich malt that combines with a deep, almost port-like flavour. A well-balanced after-taste of bitter hops and dark cherry fruits gives it a lasting flavour.

Old Tom Chocolate – 6%
Developed by Robinson’s with the renowned chocolatier Simon Dunn. Aromas of chocolate dominate the nose and upon taste, a sweet and an almost fresh chocolate palate. A hint of hops and a slight roasted malt flavour linger.

Old Tom Ginger – 6%
A combination of Robinsons Old Tom and Fentiman’s Ginger Beer, which uses a traditional recipe dating back to 1900. On the nose, a soft ginger aroma with a slight fresh malt following close behind. The ginger becomes a base figure on the palate and presents itself in a slow burst of flavour. Hints of cherry fruits with a slight sweet yet more bitter balance of the hops follows until a smooth ginger after-taste that leaves a slight tingle in the back of your throat.

Long Kiss Goodnight - 3.9%
A seasonal offering. A rather warm, floral mix of toffee and spice on the nose, with a rich, hoppy biscuit taste on the palate. Unfortunately no longer available.

‘build a rocket boys!’ - 4%
Designed by Manchester band Elbow. The nose enjoys a slight bitterness with fresh hops mellowing their way down. The palate gets a slow burst of sweet fruit with only a hint of bitterness on the tongue. A fresh, slight citrus note, lasts long on the after-taste with malt flavour staying on your lips.

Dizzy Blonde – 3.8%
Inspired by the use of Amarillo hops from the States. Fresh malt nose with a high aroma of zest that follows soon after. Rather light on the palate with the zest coming through and creating a crisp yet slightly dry ending.

Unicorn - 4.3%
Brewed since 1896. A slight dark malt on the nose with hints of spice making a presence. Soft on the palate with a smooth offering, but changes between a slightly bitter and sweet flavour profile.

Hoptimus Prime - 4.1%
Seasonal offering. Fresh and light on the nose with the fruity hops dominating. A light malt flavour on the palate, the fruity hops coming through soon after to develop a crisp finish.

1892 - 3.3%
Unicorn’s younger brother. A combination of malt, roasted nut and caramel on the nose allowing a sweet palate of the three with a rather hoppy, dry end.

Cheshire Chocolate Porter – 6%
Brewed for Marks & Spencer in conjunction with chocolatier Simon Dunn. Caramel and deep chocolate aromas on the nose with a slight sweetness following. Nice kick start on the palate with the bitterness mellowing into a milk chocolate and smooth vanilla that lingers slightly.

Frederic’s Great British Alcoholic Ginger Beer - 3.8%
Lemonade citrus and fresh ginger dominate the nose and palate, with lots of fiery ginger coming through near the end. Very hoppy, although a low carbonation.

Cheshire Brown Ale – 4.7%
Brewed for Marks & Spencer. Toffee, dark fruits and fudge aromas on the nose, with a scent of sweetness following. Well rounded flavours of the toffee and dark fruits that result in a smooth offering with a slightly roasted after-taste.

Cheshire Black – 4.1%
Treacle aromas dominate the nose with fruits and malt making there way through slowly. Rather rich on the palate with dark chocolate and roasted coffee presenting themselves. Slightly burnt feel with a dry finish.

Trooper- 4.8%
Fresh, soft malt with citrus dicing through near the end. Well-balanced onto the palate, edging more onto the malt, creating a mouth-watering effect that lingers with subtle hops. Long.

Simon Rimmer Presents A Beer To Go With Curry – 5%
A golden lager, the nose gave a ripe, fresh lemon aroma whilst the palate enjoyed a crisp, sweet flavour with a lingering freshness. With Kashmiri butter chicken curry, it became very smooth with a crisp tingle on the tongue and a slight dryness near the end. Lemon lingers both times.

Simon Rimmer Presents A Beer To Go With Steak – 4.4%
A ruby red ale, a rich roasted aroma on the nose with hints of dried chocolate slowly following. The palate enjoys a very light, rather hoppy feel with fresh citrus flavours. With Jim Beam marinated rump steak (medium rare), the malts blended well with the Jim Beam bourbon flavours, and created a long flavour profile of chocolate and toffee, with the citrus creating a slight sharp ending.

Simon Rimmer Presents A Beer To Go With Chicken – 4%
A golden ale, a rather soft corn scent on the nose, but develops into a zest dominated finish. Instant fizz on the palate, light with a crisp refreshing finish. Slight bitterness. With chicken pieces drizzled with mushroom and onion sauce, the chicken developed more flavour alongside the citrus zest, with the bitterness slightly counteracting the sauce to create a well-balanced feel.

A rather extensive portfolio they have, and I’ve only personally gone through around half of it. I still have names such as Double Hop and Hartleys to sample and hopefully enjoy.

Robinsons cover all aspects of the consumers idea of an ale. From award-winning and high strength in their Old Tom, to roasted stoat in Cheshire Black, Golden Zest in Dizzy Blonde to the premium Unicorn and the future of beer and food matching with ‘A Beer To Go With . .’. With this, my love of ale can sometimes be centred around one name, and almost a fail safe to an extent. Like I mentioned at the beginning, I will always try something new, especially if it is local, but when you have a brewery who ticks all the boxes, and has a hell of a family history to match, sometimes familiarity can get you the furthest.

You can purchase the majority of the Robinsons beer range through Robinson’s themselves as well as in selected supermarkets, pubs and now even in restaurants and bars. For Simon Rimmers selection, try them out at his restaurants Earle in Hale and Greens in Didsbury.

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Posted: Tuesday 18th February 2014
ID: 10704 - 1106