Robinsons Old Tom has been brewed in Stockport since 1899, and it is one of England’s great strong ales. It is an old ale, a rich, dark, warming style, and at 8.5% it drinks more like a port or a fortified wine than a pint. It is a proper winter sipper with real depth. I picked one up for this guide.
Robinsons Old Tom at a glance
| Style | Old ale (strong ale) |
| ABV | 8.5% |
| Calories | Around 260 per 12 fl oz |
| Brewery | Robinsons, Stockport, England |
| Character | Dark fruit, treacle, toffee, port-like |
| Best served | Cool, in a small goblet |
How it tastes, by the numbers
This is a rich, strong, warming old ale, a sipping beer with vinous, port-like depth.
The full review
It pours a deep, dark chestnut-red with a thin tan head. The aroma is rich and boozy, dark fruit, treacle, toffee and a hint of sherry-like oxidation that suits the style.
The flavour is big and warming. There is a wave of raisin, fig and dark-cherry fruit, a treacle and toffee sweetness and a port-like, almost vinous depth, with the 8.5% adding a smooth, warming glow. The bitterness is low, letting the rich malt and fruit lead.
It is a proper sipping beer, the kind you pour into a small glass and nurse by the fire. It is rich and sweet, so it is not for a session, but as a warming winter treat it is superb. It even makes a good digestif.
A legendary English strong ale with over a century of history. If you like rich, boozy, dark beers, it is a must-try.
At 8.5% it drinks more like a port or a fortified wine than a pint.
- A legendary English strong ale
- Rich dark fruit, treacle and port-like depth
- Warming and complex
- Over a century of history
- Strong and sweet, strictly a sipper
- Too rich for warm weather
Who it is for
If you love rich, strong, dark beers or want a warming winter sipper, Old Tom is a classic. Perfect by the fire or as an after-dinner digestif.
Robinsons Old Tom FAQs
What is an English old ale?
An old ale is a strong, dark, rich English ale, often matured, with flavours of dark fruit, treacle and toffee and sometimes a sherry-like character. It is a warming sipping beer rather than a session pint. Robinsons Old Tom is a classic example.
What does Robinsons Old Tom taste like?
Rich dark fruit, treacle, toffee and a port-like, vinous depth, with a warming 8.5% strength and a low bitterness. It is a rich, sweet-leaning sipping beer.
How strong is Robinsons Old Tom?
It is 8.5% ABV, a strong ale best served in a small glass and sipped slowly.
Where to buy Robinsons Old Tom
Robinsons Old Tom is available in bottles across much of the US. Buy it using the button above and sip it slowly.
The verdict
Robinsons Old Tom is a legendary English strong ale, rich and warming with dark fruit, treacle and port-like depth. A superb winter sipper with over a century of history behind it.
FAQs
Who makes Robinsons Old Tom?
Robinsons Old Tom is brewed by Robinsons (independently, family-owned by the Frederic Robinson family).
What kind of beer is Robinsons Old Tom?
Robinsons Old Tom is an Old ale (strong ale), at 8.5% ABV.
How much alcohol is in Robinsons Old Tom?
Robinsons Old Tom has an ABV of 8.5%.
How many calories are in Robinsons Old Tom?
Robinsons Old Tom has Around 260 per 12 fl oz, based on the brewery’s published nutrition information.
Is Robinsons Old Tom gluten free?
No. Like most traditional beers, Robinsons Old Tom is brewed from barley and/or wheat, both of which contain gluten.
How can I make Robinsons Old Tom taste better?
Serve it at the right temperature and in the right glass (see below), or use it as the base for a beer cocktail. Our beer cocktails guide has recipes worth trying.
Where is Robinsons Old Tom made?
Robinsons Old Tom is brewed by Robinsons in Stockport, England. For more from that country, see our best England beers guide.
How do I open Robinsons Old Tom without a bottle opener?
A lighter, a sturdy key, a spoon, or the edge of a table all work in a pinch. See our full guide on opening a beer without a bottle opener for 8 methods that actually work.
What glass should I use for Robinsons Old Tom?
Cool, in a small goblet. See our beer glassware guide if you want to match the glass to the style exactly.
