A Rival to Coca-Cola? "We Drank It Instead of Beer" - Scotland's Beloved Irn Bru [Delicious Stories]

Scottish Steady-Seller Beverage
Developed in the Late 19th Century as a Draft Beer Alternative
A Hit Among Steel Mill Workers

Editor's NoteThe earliest confections are said to have been discovered in the ancient Mesopotamian civilization. In that sense, snacks have accompanied every moment of human history. From biscuits and chocolate to ice cream, we bring you delicious stories behind the treats we love.

In northern Scotland, there is a carbonated drink that has been beloved for over a century. Its name is "Irn Bru." This unique beverage, with its orange hue and citrus aroma, has maintained its status as a steady seller since its launch in 1901. Within Scotland, it is even regarded as a rival to Coca-Cola. How did Irn Bru capture the hearts of the Scottish people?

Irn Bru: A Scottish Icon

Iron Brew, sold since 1901. Iron Brew official website

Irn Bru is the flagship product of Scottish food and beverage manufacturer A.G. Barr. With its clear orange color reminiscent of another Scottish specialty, Scotch whisky, its sharp yet creamy smoothness, and its mysterious orange flavor, Irn Bru stands apart from typical sodas and has built a devoted following.

Irn Bru was first introduced in Scotland in 1901, and since then it has been sold not only throughout Scotland but across the United Kingdom. As of 2023, A.G. Barr reported that Irn Bru held a 10.7% share of the Scottish carbonated beverage market, and over 1% of the market across the UK. Within Scotland, it is considered a rival to Coca-Cola, the quintessential cola brand.

The Energy Drink of the Railway Era

When did Scotland's love affair with Irn Bru begin? In the late 19th century, railway construction was booming across the United Kingdom, and Glasgow, Scotland's largest city, was no exception. At that time, steel mill workers in major British cities like Glasgow worked tirelessly to manufacture steel for train stations and railways, and draft beer was extremely popular among them.

Iron Brew became a popular drink among workers in British industrial cities. The photo shows an Iron Brew billboard in Scotland from the mid-20th century. Photo captured from Reddit.

Robert Barr, founder of A.G. Barr, was concerned about workers being assigned to dangerous tasks while intoxicated. Seeking an alternative to beer for the workers, he invented a kind of energy drink by blending carbonation and sugar. His beverage quickly became a hit among steel mill workers, who nicknamed it "Iron Brew," and it sold rapidly.

Irn Bru soon gained explosive popularity not only in Glasgow but also among workers in other industrial cities like Liverpool and Manchester. Thanks to this, Irn Bru became a regional specialty of Scotland. However, after World War II, it faced a crisis. In 1946, the British government revised food processing laws, passing a regulation requiring that all food names reflect actual nutrients and production methods.

The Evolution of Iron Brew Packaging Design. Starting as a drink for workers, it emphasized a strong masculine image. Screenshot from Scotsman website

Although the name "Iron Brew" included the words "iron" and "brew," the drink was neither made of iron nor brewed. After much deliberation, A.G. Barr adopted the intentionally misspelled name "Irn Bru" as its new brand, giving birth to the unique identity the beverage has today.

Trump Resort Ban Sparks Backlash

Scottish pride in Irn Bru remains strong to this day. In 2018, when the Turnberry Resort in Scotland, owned by U.S. President Donald Trump, banned Irn Bru from the premises, protests erupted across Scotland.

Ralph Porciani, general manager of Turnberry Resort, explained that "Irn Bru stains the carpet if spilled," and that "replacing the ballroom carpet alone would cost 500,000 pounds." However, this did little to quell the anger of Scottish citizens. At the time, the prominent Scottish newspaper The Scotsman remarked that the ban had "left a dubious stain on Trump's reputation," and Patrick Harvie, then leader of the Scottish Green Party, protested that Trump would "face a backlash not seen since the Iraq War."