The Barr family has been making fizzy drinks in Scotland since 1880, but it was in 1901 they launched their mixed flavour drink called Iron-Brew.

During World War 2, Iron-Brew was not recognised as a "standard drink" by the Government, so disappeared from the shelves of shops for the duration of the war.

But when the war ended, as unavailable products started to be reintroduced to shops, the Government brought in new food labelling regulations, and Iron-Brew which was not actually brewed had to change its name. It was the company Chairman that came up with the idea of using the phonetic spelling, which was duly registered as Barr's own trade name.

So in 1946 Barr's Irn-Bru went on to the shelves of shops all over Scotland.

In 1959 the business started by Robert Barr was bought by his brother's company A.G.Barr & Co. Ltd. forming one large family business, which became a public company in 1965.

With the acquisition of several soft drink manufacturers, and clever advertising, A.G.Barr plc. is now among the top soft drinks companies in Europe, and the world market for Irn-Bru is expanding into many new countries.

This demand is met by a high tech distribution network and one of the most efficient canning lines on the world at Barr's Atherton plant near Manchester, England.

Since the 1960's Irn-Bru has been available in a low calorie form, as well as regular, and in 1995 Barr's also provided us with an isotonic sports drink called Irn-Bru XS.

So what does the future hold in store?

Scotlands "other national drink" is being added to "Scotland's national drink", to form Irn-Bru Whisky, and sees an alliance between the Barr's and Bell's companies.

Disclaimer : No matter how official this site may appear, it is not. This site has no connection with A.G. Barr plc. , and the opinions expressed, are solely my own. Irn-Bru, Tizer, St. Clements, Sundaze, are all registered trade names of A.G.Barr plc.