Irn-Bru

"Made in Scotland from girders" redirects here. For the comic book named for this tagline, see Highland Laddie (comic book) § Made From Girders.

Irn-Bru
Sugar free Irn-Bru in a glass, with the associated silver sugar free variant can
TypeCarbonated soft drink
ManufacturerA.G. Barr plc
Country of origin Scotland
Region of originGlasgow and Falkirk
Introduced1889 (as Iron Brew)
1899 (test launch)
1901 (officially)
2018 (new recipe)
Discontinued
  • Irn-Bru XS
  • Irn-Bru 32
  • Fiery Irn-Bru
ColourOrange
Ingredients
Variants
  • Irn-Bru
  • Irn-Bru Sugar Free
  • Irn-Bru Xtra
  • Irn-Bru Energy
  • Irn-Bru Energy No Sugar
  • Irn-Bru Crimbo Juice
  • Irn-Bru 1901
Websiteirn-bru.co.uk Edit this on Wikidata

Irn-Bru (/ˌaɪərn ˈbruː/ "iron brew", Scots: [ˌəirənˈbruː]) is a Scottish carbonated soft drink, often described as "Scotland's other national drink" (after Scotch whisky).[1] Introduced in 1901, the drink is produced in Westfield, Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire, by A.G. Barr of Glasgow. As well as being sold throughout the United Kingdom, Irn-Bru is available throughout the world and can usually be bought where there is a significant community of people from Scotland.[2] The brand also has its own tartan.[3] It has been the top-selling soft drink in Scotland for over a century, competing directly with global brands such as Coca-Cola.[4]

Originally sold as Iron Brew, the drink's makers, A.G. Barr, were forced to change the name of the drink in 1946 following a change in the law that stipulated that the marketing of products be "literally true". As the drink did not contain much iron, nor was it brewed, the passage of this legislation led the company to change the product's name to the presently used Irn-Bru.[5] Irn-Bru has long been the most popularly consumed soft drink in Scotland, consistently beating rivals such as Coca-Cola, Pepsi and Fanta, and reportedly sells 20 cans every second throughout Scotland.[6] Irn-Bru is sold in a number of international food and drink markets, including countries such as the Netherlands, Spain, Belgium, Malta, certain countries of the African continent, the Middle East, and North America.[7]

  1. ^ Brooks, Libby (30 May 2007). "Alongside penicillin, tarmacadam and the bicycle, there is another Scottish invention that has genuinely rocked the world: Irn Bru". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 5 October 2013. Retrieved 5 February 2012.
  2. ^ "'The first sip was rather shocking': Cop26 delegates try Irn-Bru for the first time". The Guardian. 5 November 2021. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
  3. ^ "Tartan Details - Irn Bru". tartanregister.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 1 July 2023. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  4. ^ "How this brand has outsold Coke in Scotland for over a century". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 18 October 2021. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
  5. ^ Wilson, Sarah (10 July 2019). "Irn-Bru: the surprising and secretive history of Scotland's 'other national drink' | Scotsman Food and Drink". foodanddrink.scotsman.com. Archived from the original on 17 February 2024. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  6. ^ "IRN-BRU 16 things you didn't know about Scotland's 'other' national drink". www.scotsman.com. Archived from the original on 17 February 2024. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  7. ^ "IRN-BRU 16 things you didn't know about Scotland's 'other' national drink". www.scotsman.com. Archived from the original on 17 February 2024. Retrieved 17 February 2024.