The Family Brewery since 1828
The journey began in 1828 when our founder, retired cotton manufacturer, John Lees, decided to buy land at Middleton Junction and set up Greengate Brewery. Since then, we’ve stayed true to our roots and brew all our beers right here in Manchester. We continue to grow each year and to this day, we have over 140 pubs, inns & hotels across the North West of England and North Wales. We’re always on the lookout for new pubs to add to our estate and are keen to create the best pubs in the community.
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View our pubs, inns & hotels
Our Brewery
We put the brewery at the heart of our business and brew six cask ales as well as two lagers, five keg beers and six limited edition seasonal cask ales, which are available throughout different times of the year. We also have the sole UK distribution rights for Bohemia regent from Czech Republic. Willoughby’s is our wines & spirits company and we stock over 500 wines from all over the world.
The JW Lees shop is hosted and fulfilled by Best of British Beers
The Boilerhouse
The Boilerhouse is where we brew our small batch beers. It’s a place to foster a spirit of innovation that has always run deep within our DNA. We’re on a mission to explore distinctive, challenging new beers – brewing them with integrity in just the right amounts – with nearly two centuries of brewing heritage behind us.
Featured Venue
Bluebird Inn
The doors to the Bluebird Inn are now open following a major renovation. The former Boddington Arms site now boasts 20 high quality bedrooms, and now being owned by the JW Lees family, means the pub will be a temple to cask ale, offering a range of pub food favourites, and daily specials.
Business that lives, breathes & thrives
Because pubs aren’t JUST another business. They’re about keeping friends in touch, uniting families and providing a place for communities to grow – doing something that actually matters. As a JW Lees Pub Partner, you’ll have the freedom to run your own business and the rewards that come with that, but you’ll also be doing something you love every single day.