The hidden details in St Austell Brewery’s new Tribute pint glass

Look closely at the next pint of Tribute put in front of you. Somewhere among the barley, the hops and the brewers, a former mascot is charging about on a rugby pitch.

St Austell Brewery has unveiled a special commemorative glass to mark its 175-year anniversary and to celebrate Tribute, the pale ale that has sat at the heart of its beer portfolio for more than a quarter of a century. The glass was revealed during Cask Ale Week, alongside the return of the Tribute Ale Trail, which invites drinkers to explore more than 150 pubs across the South West.

An eclipse at the centre of it all

At the heart of the design is a striking solar eclipse, a nod to where Tribute began. The beer was first brewed in 1999 by the late Roger Ryman, St Austell Brewery’s renowned Head Brewer, to mark the eclipse that crossed Cornwall. It proved so popular that two years later it became a permanent fixture in the brewery’s line-up, and it has been one of the best-known names in Cornish beer ever since.

The rest of the glass is filled with colourful illustrations and hidden details, capturing the ingredients, people and places behind the pint, and the communities who still drink it.

📷New Tribute glass on table

Hand-drawn by the brewery’s own designer

The artwork was drawn by hand by Jo Geeves, St Austell Brewery’s Senior Designer, who has spent the past 13 years with the business.

“I wanted the design to reflect everything that makes Tribute special, from the ingredients and the people who brew it through to the communities who enjoy it,” said Jo.

“The colours were an important part of that too. I paired Tribute’s signature purple with vibrant golds and oranges inspired by the brewing ingredients, creating something fresh and celebratory while still feeling unmistakably Tribute.”

Jo developed several initial concepts. Colleagues from across the brewery then picked one creative direction, which grew into the detailed illustration now printed on the glass.

Barley, brewers and a rugby-playing mascot

Golden barley, much of it grown on Cornish farms, runs through the artwork alongside vibrant hops and the brewers and production teams who turn them into beer. Scenes of pubs, sport and social gatherings reflect Tribute’s long ties with communities across the South West and beyond.

Then there are the Easter eggs. Among Jo’s favourite details is a light-hearted illustration of former Tribute mascot Trevor Tribute out on a rugby pitch.

“It’s a bit of fun,” she said. “Tribute has always had a connection with communities and sport, so it’s nice to include those little moments that might make people smile while they’re enjoying a pint.”

Where to find the glass

The glass arrives alongside the returning Tribute Ale Trail, the first brewery-wide ale trail across St Austell Brewery’s South West pub estate in more than 10 years. It is in pubs across the South West now, and it is also available to buy online from the St Austell Brewery shop.

“I’d spent so long looking at the design on screen that when the finished glass arrived it was a really proud moment,” added Jo. “To see it brought to life and know it’s helping celebrate such an important year for both Tribute and St Austell Brewery was incredibly special.”

📷Senior Designer Jo Geeves