Family brewers since 1828

The story of Manchester’s oldest brewery began in 1828 with our founder, retired cotton manufacturer, John Lees. We’re based in Middleton in the North East 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 seventh-generation family business which employs over 1,525 people, 150 at the brewery and site in Middleton Junction and over 1,375 in our 49 Managed Pubs, Inns and Hotels. We also let a further 100 pubs to our Pub Partners. We have pubs in Manchester close by to our Greengate Brewery, stretching all the way to North Wales.

Whether it’s a cosy country pub with a seasonal menu, or a bustling beer garden next to a canal, we have a pub for you. Many of our pubs are not only family friendly but dog friendly also. To discover a JW Lees pub near you head to our Pubs page.

From drinks with friends to family holidays, our pubs are full of life and laughter. But let’s not forget about our famous beers and lagers that are brewed here at Greengate, the very heart of JW Lees…

Our Story Our beers Our pubs

Our Beers

At JW Lees, we have a wide range of beers on offer. From our staples in our Core Range that are available all year round; the iconic Bitter and MPA to our Seasonal Ales that explore beer styles outside of the range. We also have a small-batch microbrewery which offers innovative craft brewers for those wanting something a little different.

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Core Range

It’s been in the making for nearly 200 years; we have mastered our brewing craft, with a core range of classic bitters, pale ales and lagers. All brewed with the same care and tradition, like we first did in 1828.

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Seasonal Ales

Every year we release a series of seasonal cask ales that change throughout the year. Our seasonal range compliment the fine British weather from fresh citrus ales perfect for sunny beer gardens, to festive spiced brews ideal for cosy fire side chats.

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The Boilerhouse

The Boilerhouse is our small batch microbrewery which is homed in a quiet corner of our brewery yard, behind a green door where a steam boiler used to stand. Here we produce innovative craft beers, collaborating with our beer friends including Cloudwater, Thornbridge, Salt, Seven Brothers and many more.

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FIND A PUB NEAR YOU

Our pubs stretch across Greater Manchester to Cheshire and North Wales, with everything from community focused family-friendly pubs to boutique hotels. All of our pubs are ran slightly differently, take a look at the range.