Some say he was a sailor who found and lost a fortune in treasure.
Others believe ‘Old Tom’ was a smithy from Stockport who could bend iron bars with his bare hands.
And it’s even been said that ‘Old Tom’ dug most of the Peak District Canal single handed. All could well be right.
What we do know is that ‘Old Tom’ gave his name to a rich, dark as night, liquid that ran down the throat like a miniature greased ferret
and had a habit of making you extremely happy after just a couple of bottles.
Maybe that’s why it was voted ‘The World’s Best Ale’.