Type Private Headquarters Manchester, UK Owner The Lees-Jones Family Founded 1828 | Industry Brewing Products Beer Founder John Lees | |
Key people Richard Lees-Jones
Christopher Lees-Jones
William Lees-Jones
Simon Lees-Jones
Christina Lees-Jones
Michael Lees-Jones (Head Brewer) Profiles | ||
J.W. Lees is a brewery in Middleton, Greater Manchester, that has produced real ale since 1828. The brewery owns and operates 140 pubs, mainly in North West England and North Wales. It also owns wine distributor Willoughby's.
Contents
History
The brewery was formed in 1828 when retired cotton manufacturer John Lees purchased land in Middleton, Lancashire and built Greengate Brewery, from which the company still operates. The company was renamed J.W. Lees & Co. Brewers when his grandson, John William Lees, took over the company in 1876.
The company is still family owned and operated. When William, Simon, Christina and Michael Lees-Jones joined Richard and Christopher at J.W. Lees in the 1990s, they were the sixth generation from the founder.
In 2004, Greengate Brewery featured in the television show Most Haunted, and in 2003 HRH Charles, Prince of Wales visited to celebrate the brewery's 175th anniversary.
Beers
Draught
Bottled
In addition, J.W. Lees brews Ansells Mild and Best Bitter for Carlsberg.
Public houses
J.W. Lees has 173 public houses, primarily in residential areas in the North West of England and North Wales. Most public houses are run by tenant landlords, but some of the larger houses (in particular those that provide pub food) are managed by the brewery. In 2009 J.W. Lees bought ten new pubs from Punch Taverns.
Willoughby's Wine Merchants
Willoughby's is the name of J.W. Lees' wines and spirits operation. Running as a separate business, the company itself has its own illustrious heritage stemming back to 1850.