CASK ALES, KEG BEERS & LAGERS
HAVE NEVER TASTED
SO GOOD

JW Lees is a family brewery company, founded in 1828 by retired cotton manufacturer John Lees. We’re based in Middleton in the North West of Manchester and own JW Lees Brewery, JW Lees Pubs, The Alderley Edge Hotel, The Trearddur Bay Hotel and Willoughby’s Wine Merchants. We’re a sixth-generation family business which employs over 1,300 people, 140 at the brewery and site in Middleton Junction and over 1,100 in our 42 managed pubs, inns and hotels. We also let a further 105 pubs to our Pub Partners.

BITTER

BORN OF A TIME WHEN BEER WAS BEER

TASTING NOTES: Our all-malt amber bitter was first brewed in 1828 to satisfy thirsty Mancunians grafting in the workshop of the world. It soon became our most popular beer, and it’s stayed that way. We make it using ale and crystal malt, and Golding hops, for a satisfying flavour and citrus aftertaste that’s rewarded Mancunian graft for generations.

STYLE Bitter
HOPS Golding
SEE Amber, Auburn
SMELL Floral, Slightly Spicy
TASTE Clean, Dry, Moreish
BITTER 4.5
SWEET 2/5

BITTER

BORN OF A TIME WHEN BEER WAS BEER

TASTING NOTES: Our all-malt amber bitter was first brewed in 1828 to satisfy thirsty Mancunians grafting in the workshop of the world. It soon became our most popular beer, and it’s stayed that way. We make it using ale and crystal malt, and Golding hops, for a satisfying flavour and citrus aftertaste that’s rewarded Mancunian graft for generations.

DARK

FOR WORKERS TOILING SWEAT AND BLOOD

TASTING NOTES: Dark beers used to be the workers’ drink of choice after a day’s toil, thanks to their light taste. Times have changed, but our CAMRA gold-winning Dark hasn’t. Cask-ale fanatics love it for its smooth, well-rounded character, sweet undertones and full malty aftertaste. And modern workers still reach for it after a day at the digital coalface.

STYLE Strong Ale
HOPS Celeia
SEE Ebony
SMELL Rich, Warming
TASTE Fruity, Liquorice
BITTER 4.5/5
SWEET 4/5

DARK

FOR WORKERS TOILING SWEAT AND BLOOD

TASTING NOTES: Dark beers used to be the workers’ drink of choice after a day’s toil, thanks to their light taste. Times have changed, but our CAMRA gold-winning Dark hasn’t. Cask-ale fanatics love it for its smooth, well-rounded character, sweet undertones and full malty aftertaste. And modern workers still reach for it after a day at the digital coalface.

Dragon’s Fire

AN ODE TO WALES

TASTING NOTES: We take inspiration from all manner of things, some more local than others. Dragon’s Fire is our all-malt ode to one of our favourite places to visit when we’re not brewing – the beautiful country of Wales, a home to our family of pubs. Its name stems from its flaming amber colour and warming citrus aftertaste. Lechyd da.

STYLE Bitter
HOPS Golding
SEE Amber, Auburn
SMELL Floral, Slightly Spicy
TASTE Clean, Dry, Moreish
BITTER 3.5/5
SWEET 2/5

Dragon’s Fire

AN ODE TO WALES

TASTING NOTES: We take inspiration from all manner of things, some more local than others. Dragon’s Fire is our all-malt ode to one of our favourite places to visit when we’re not brewing – the beautiful country of Wales, a home to our family of pubs. Its name stems from its flaming amber colour and warming citrus aftertaste. Lechyd da.

Founder’s

IN HONOUR OF THE GOOD JOHN LEES

TASTING NOTES: Breweries often used to hold back their extra special bitter for the Directors or Chairman, but we think everyone should enjoy the very best. Named in honour of John Lees, it’s a colourful, well-balanced and full-bodied premium bitter, with a nutty finish. Our recipe makes use of ale and crystal malt, and Pilgrim and Golding hops. The result is a beer with nothing held back, fit for the good man himself.

STYLE Premium Bitter
HOPS Pilgrim & Golding
SEE Deep Auburn, Chestnut
SMELL Malty
TASTE Clean, Crisp, Moreish
BITTER 4/5
SWEET 2.5/5

Founder’s

IN HONOUR OF THE GOOD JOHN LEES

TASTING NOTES: Breweries often used to hold back their extra special bitter for the Directors or Chairman, but we think everyone should enjoy the very best. Named in honour of John Lees, it’s a colourful, well-balanced and full-bodied premium bitter, with a nutty finish. Our recipe makes use of ale and crystal malt, and Pilgrim and Golding hops. The result is a beer with nothing held back, fit for the good man himself.

MOONRAKER

LEGENDARY STRONG ALE

TASTING NOTES: First brewed in 1950, our malty award-winning Moonraker is dedicated to a local legend. The story goes that farmers close to the JW Lees brewery once fell into a pond, attempting to rake out a reflection of the moon they mistook for a truckle of fine Lancashire cheese. This strong ale should be handled with care, but its fruity aroma and rich, sweet flavour are now the stuff of legends too.

STYLE Strong Ale
HOPS Celeia
SEE Ebony
SMELL Rich, Warming
TASTE Fruity, Liquorice
BITTER 4.5/5
SWEET 4/5

MOONRAKER

LEGENDARY STRONG ALE

TASTING NOTES: First brewed in 1950, our malty award-winning Moonraker is dedicated to a local legend. The story goes that farmers close to the JW Lees brewery once fell into a pond, attempting to rake out a reflection of the moon they mistook for a truckle of fine Lancashire cheese. This strong ale should be handled with care, but its fruity aroma and rich, sweet flavour are now the stuff of legends too.

Manchester Pale Ale

A POST-INDUSTRIAL MANCHESTER CLASSIC

TASTING NOTES: Tony Wilson once said: “This is Manchester, we do things differently here”. And he was right. Our refreshingly Mancunian pale ale gives ale lovers a similar hop-packed offering to its American equivalents. It’s a golden ale that’s made entirely from all-British malt, Liberty and Mount Hood hops. It’s a post-industrial Manchester classic (as Wilson might have put it).

STYLE Pale Ale
HOPS Liberty & Mount Hood
SEE Golden, Yellow
SMELL Floral, Malty, Citrus
TASTE Malt, Fruity
BITTER 4.5/5
SWEET 2.5/5

MPA

A POST-INDUSTRIAL MANCHESTER CLASSIC

TASTING NOTES: Tony Wilson once said: “This is Manchester, we do things differently here”. And he was right. Our refreshingly Mancunian pale ale gives ale lovers a similar hop-packed offering to its American equivalents. It’s a golden ale that’s made entirely from all-British malt, Liberty and Mount Hood hops. It’s a post-industrial Manchester classic (as Wilson might have put it).

Manchester
Craft Lager

CAREFULLY CRAFTED IN MANCHESTER

TASTING NOTES: More than a few craft lagers are named after the cities that created them, so we’ve added Manchester to that list using almost two centuries’ worth of expertise on craft ale. We brew Manchester Craft Lager in small batches, giving it longer maturation to create a stronger, more flavoured lager that takes things up a notch or two.

STYLE Lager
HOPS Celeia, Saaz
SEE Golden
SMELL Earthy, Citrus
TASTE Smooth, Rich, Refreshing

Manchester
Craft Lager

CAREFULLY CRAFTED IN MANCHESTER

TASTING NOTES: More than a few craft lagers are named after the cities that created them, so we’ve added Manchester to that list using almost two centuries’ worth of expertise on craft ale. We brew Manchester Craft Lager in small batches, giving it longer maturation to create a stronger, more flavoured lager that takes things up a notch or two.

Original Lager

THE ORIGINAL LAGER

TASTING NOTES: Our Original Lager recipe, nice and simple for a crisp, light taste. Brewed using only British malts, we use plenty of Styrian and Saaz hops and no additives. This makes sure it’s got just the right enticing hoppiness and depth when it reaches the glass.

STYLE Lager
HOPS Styrian Golding, Saaz
SEE Golden
SMELL Citrus, Light Aromas
TASTE Crisp, Light, Refreshing

Original Lager

THE ORIGINAL LAGER

TASTING NOTES: Our Original Lager recipe, nice and simple for a crisp, light taste. Brewed using only British malts, we use plenty of Styrian and Saaz hops and no additives. This makes sure it’s got just the right enticing hoppiness and depth when it reaches the glass.

CONTACT US

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