J.W. Lees Founder's

Founder's

 

J.W. Lees in Middleton, Greater Manchester, England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

  Bitter - ESB / Strong Bitter Regular
Score
6.39
ABV: 4.5% IBU: - Ticks: 7
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.
 

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7/10 Appearance 8 Aroma 6.5 Flavor 6.5 Texture 8 Overall 7
Cask at Vinny & Teds, Beaconsfield old town, 09/05/2026.
Clear golden with a good sized lasting white head.
Nose is malt forward, herb, grains, biscuit, stewed fruits.
Taste comprises fruit slice, biscuit, hedgerow, straw.
Medium bodied, soft carbonation, semi drying close with a balanced bitter ripple.
Tidy malt forward bitter.
Tried on 09 May 2026 at 12:00

6.1/10 Appearance 6 Aroma 6 Flavor 6.5 Texture 6 Overall 6
Half pint from cask at The Prince of Wales, St Helier, Jersey. Pours amber with a white head. Aromas & tastes of nuts, citrus & malt. Medium body. Moderate bitter finish.
Tried from Cask on 22 Feb 2026 at 08:21

5.5/10
Not a bad bitter but nothing to write home about. Pint in Gullivers, Manchester.
Tried from Cask at Gullivers on 16 Dec 2025 at 15:00

6.4/10 Appearance 10 Aroma 5 Flavor 5 Texture 10 Overall 5.5
Cask @ Founders Hall, Manchester. Darker clear golden-amber with a creamy-smooth head. Has an easy malty-bitterness infused with some fruit, and is very smooth in the palate.
Tried from Cask on 16 Mar 2024 at 18:43

6.6/10 Appearance 6 Aroma 7 Flavor 7 Texture 6 Overall 6.5
Dark blond colour with frothy head. Has some sweetness of sultanas, something a bit juicy and tropical too.
Tried on 14 Mar 2023 at 19:49

6/10
Tried on 04 Sep 2022 at 12:43

6.2/10 Appearance 6 Aroma 5 Flavor 7 Texture 6 Overall 7
Thin beige head left a spotty cover on a pale brown body. Caramel aroma. Medium bodied, smooth with a tingle on the back. Caramel, brown sugar, jam & biscuit tastes. Decent Ale
Tried on 19 Apr 2021 at 21:09