This September, we are celebrating the 130th anniversary of Unicorn, known to many as Best Bitter. As one of our longest-standing and most iconic beers, Unicorn has been a favourite among drinkers for generations.
To mark the occasion, more than 170 of our pubs across the North West and North Wales will be offering pints of Unicorn for just £1.30 on Saturday 26th September, while stocks last.
Unicorn was first brewed in September 1896 and has remained a firm favourite ever since. Today, it continues to be one of our flagship ales. With a recipe that has remained unchanged for well over a century, we have carefully preserved the character and quality that have made Unicorn such a staple in our Stockport pubs and beyond.
130 years of quality
Unicorn has been with us for over a century and seen us through nearly every stage of our journey… Haven’t tried Unicorn yet? Click below to discover its tasting notes.
Not only will selected pubs be offering £1.30 pints of Unicorn, but we’re also giving 13 lucky winners the chance to get their hands on a limited-edition Stockport County football shirt from 1996.
Whether you’re a long-time Unicorn fan, a cask ale enthusiast, or looking to try it for the first time, visit a participating pub on Saturday 26th September to claim your £1.30 pint while stocks last. And don’t forget to enter our football shirt competition on our Instagram on Saturday 19th September for a chance to win.
Where to find pubs serving £1.30 pints
stockport
GREATER MANCHESTER
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cheshire & Staffordshire
cumbria & lancashire
DERBYSHIRE
Yorkshire
North Wales
shropshire
unicorn throughout the years
130 years in the making. From the first brew of Unicorn Best Bitter in 1896 to the iconic beer we know today, discover the journey here.
2026
In September 2026, Unicorn celebrates 130th anniversary.
unicorn turns 130
2015
As part of the corporate rebrand, Unicorn becomes the first Robinsons ale to be given a new look.
a brand new look for unicorn
2004
Alongside other Robinsons ales, Best Bitter is renamed Unicorn, differentiating it from the many other Best Bitters on the market.
best bitter becomes unicorn
1998
Best Bitter is awarded a Hold Medal at the Brewing Industry International Awards.
Awarded Gold medal in Brewing Industry International Awards
1993/ 94
Robinsons sponsor Stockport County FC during the 1993/4 season. The players’ shirts feature Best Bitter branding. The brewery sponsored Stockport County again for the 1996/7 season.
stockport county fc sponsorship
1990
Best Bitter undergoes another rebrand. The branding for Unicorn’s 130th anniversary was inspired by the beer’s 1990s rebrand
unicorn rebrand
1987
Customers have the opportunity to enjoy the beer at home as well as in the pub .
unicorn launched in cans
1976
The new bottling stores at Bredbury open, expanding the scope of production and distribution for Best Bitter and other Robinsons beers
UNICORN PACKAGING CENTRE OPENS
1964
Light Bitter Ale is rebranded, retaining the classic blue with a new yellow and white font.
light bitter ale rebranded
1953
Light Bitter Ale is used as the base recipe for Unicorn Coronation Ale, brewed to celebrate Elizabeth II’s accession to the throne.
unicorn coronation ale
1938
Best Bitter becomes Light Bitter Ale and is given a new look.
light bitter ale
1900
In the 1900’s, Best Bitter is distributed across the Robinsons burgeoning pub estate, delivered by their fleet of horse-drawn drays and, later, motorised beer delivery vehicles.
best bitter starts to be served in pubs
1896
Head Brewer, Alfred Munton, crafts the recipe for Best Bitter. Now known as Unicorn, it is Robinsons’ oldest beer. Since then, the beer has undergone multiple name changes and rebrands, but has always remained a traditional favourite.