Bitter

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

Bitter - Ordinary / Best Bitter Regular

Score

6.14

ABV: 4.0%

IBU: -

Ticks: 34

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.

Join Us

Show

All Activity

Only Reviews

JuanMartin (257) ticked Bitter from J.W. Lees 1 month ago

Not my favourite bitter from Manchester but managed to drink several pints on New Year's Eve in Dutton's, Bramhall.

Tried from Cask on 31 Dec 2025 at 19:00

6.8

reidyboy (3578) reviewed Bitter from J.W. Lees 7 months ago

Appearance - 7 | Aroma - 6.5 | Flavor - 6.5 | Texture - 7 | Overall - 7

Amber gold with a frothy / creamy white head and a fruit malt and floral hop aroma. Standard sipping bitter from days of yore really, but pretty decent nonetheless - smooth and a little creamy with fruit malt, floral hop bitterness and a dry finish

Tried from Cask at Blue Bell on 18 Jul 2025 at 11:00

6.4

jerseyislandbeer (5899) reviewed Bitter from J.W. Lees 10 months ago

Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 7 | Overall - 7

Old rating from 2014 - Pint from the cask, pours amber with a creamy white head. Aromas & tastes of citrus, apples, bread, nut, spice & hops. Medium body. Medium bitter finish

Tried from Cask on 19 Apr 2025 at 09:47

7.1

LordAlwold1970 (9754) reviewed Bitter from J.W. Lees 11 months ago

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 7 | Overall - 7

Cask at The Star & Garter, Bromley. Bromley
Citrus, sweet malts & white grape aromas. Crisp citrus taste, more white grape. Malty bittersweet action. Classic sessionable beer.

Tried from Cask at Star & Garter on 08 Mar 2025 at 21:05

6.6

stevoj (18327) reviewed Bitter from J.W. Lees 1 year ago

Appearance - 7 | Aroma - 6.5 | Flavor - 6.5 | Texture - 7 | Overall - 6.5

Cask pint at The Millstone. Cloudy golden pour, thin creamy head, rings of lacing. Malty aroma with a hint of sweetness. Taste is faint caramel, malty, toasty. Creamy smooth with a little bit of a dry finish.

Tried from Cask on 17 Feb 2025 at 14:23

6.4

BlackHaddock (17284) reviewed Bitter from J.W. Lees 1 year ago

Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 6.5

Hand-pulled pint in the Lion & Antelope at Manchester Airport on 1st October 2024, pleasant surprise to find a new cask rate while waiting to fly out to Berlin. Clean amber body, wispy white head. Traditional twiggy Bitter with a malty/nutty front.

Tried from Cask on 01 Oct 2024 at 10:08

6.5

daniele (14510) reviewed Bitter from J.W. Lees 1 year ago

Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7

On tap leggero ambrato leggera gasatura un filo legno un lieve caramello discreta nota amara piuttosto terrosa

Tried from Draft on 12 Sep 2024 at 11:46

eurosoba (18570) ticked Bitter from J.W. Lees 3 years ago

19/02/1977. BLACK SWAN, 13 Bottom o'th Moor, OLDHAM, Greater Manchester, England (LEES)

Tried on 22 Dec 2022 at 05:33

WingmanWillis (38284) ticked Bitter from J.W. Lees 3 years ago

Tried on 04 Sep 2022 at 12:55

6.2

Grumbo (24387) reviewed Bitter from J.W. Lees 3 years ago

Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 4 | Overall - 6

2/6/2022. Cask at the 35th Colchester Real Ale & Cider Festival. Pours clear dark gold with a small bubbly white head. Aroma of citrus, malt, straw, slight mucky edge. Medium sweetness, light to moderate bitterness. Moderate body, slightly watery, soft carbonation.

Tried from Cask on 13 Jun 2022 at 20:50