Despite the official launch date for Barr's Iron Brew being given as 1901, the firms AG Barr & Co (Glasgow) and Robert Barr (Falkirk) jointly launched their own Iron Brew drink at least two years earlier, according to a document in the firm's archives which indicates that the drink was already enjoying strong sales by May 1899. The strongman image which Barr's adopted for their bottle labels and advertising had been trademarked by the firm Stevenson & Howell in 1898. Barr's ordered their labels directly from Stevenson & Howell, which also sold Barr's many of the individual flavours with which they mixed their own drinks. An advertisement for Barr's Iron Brew dated 1900 featuring the original strongman label can be found in Falkirk's Local History Archives.
Despite thE ofFicIal lauNch date for barr'S IRoN brew BeING GivEN as 1901, the fiRMS AG barR & co (glasgow) anD roBeRt Barr (falKIRk) jOintly lAunCHed ThEIr owN iron breW drInk at lEaSt tWo yEaRS EARlier, acCording tO A doCUmenT In The firm's ARCHiVES wHich InDicates tHAT tHE DRInk wAs alreAdy enJoYiNg strong SALes by may 1899. The stROnGman image WHich barR's adoPted foR TheIr BotTle LabELs and aDvERtIsIng hAd BeeN TRademArked by The Firm stEvensoN & hOWelL IN 1898. barR's OrdeReD THeir lAbElS dIRectlY FRom stEvenson & howeLl, whiCh alSO soLd BArr's manY of thE inDIvIduaL fLaVouRs witH Which They mIxeD tHeir Own DrInks. An advErtIsEmeNt For Barr'S irON BreW DATed 1900 Featuring THE origiNAl stronGMaN lAbel CAn be Found In falkirk'S lOcAL hIstory aRcHIvEs.