JW Lees (see also Lees) Founder's
Tasting Summary
These comments are the opinion of the individual reviewer and represent what they thought of the beer on a particular day in a particular pub. If a review is less favourable, it may be because the beer suffered somewhere in the supply chain between them and the brewery.
Sonder (formerly The Thirty-Nine Steps Brewhouse; The Thirty-Nine Steps Alehouse), Broadstairs, Kent
| Who | Score | When | Notes |
|---|
| Hogan Sampling |  | 30 May 2026 | Presented with a very good head and lasting lacing on this extra special bitter which is badged as a chestnut ale and by JW Lees which was founded in 1828 by retired cotton manufacturer, John Lees. Its historic headquarters, the Greengate Brewery, remains at Middleton Junction in North Manchester, and this is where it is still brewed today. A dry bitter first hit. A hoppy fruitiness rising with soft fruit flavours from its Magnum, Pilgrim and Golding hop varieties. A touch of maltiness joining in aided by its Pale Ale malt and Crystal malt. A hint of biscuity caramel sweetness prevailing and lingering on the passage out with a light nutty flavour in its bittersweet aftertaste. Served in good form. |
Star & Garter, Bromley, Greater London
| Who | Score | When | Notes |
|---|
| Philip Pirrip | | 28 Feb 2025 | Tasty basic bitter |
| Philip Pirrip |  | 25 Feb 2023 | Freshly pulled through and put on and lots of zingy mouthfeel and some slight haze |
The Royston, Broadstairs, Kent
| Who | Score | When | Notes |
|---|
| Hogan Sampling | | 31 Aug 2024 | Fine head and a great bitter mouthfeel with chestnut flavouring. |
The River Ale House, East Greenwich, Greater London
| Who | Score | When | Notes |
|---|
| Philip Pirrip | Not Tried | 05 Jun 2022 | |
| Philip Pirrip | | 03 Jun 2022 | Darkish, malty |
| Philip Pirrip | | 17 Jun 2018 | |
| Philip Pirrip |  | 14 Jun 2018 | Suoerb mid brown English bitter, what the doctor ordered, pity it can't be on prescription |
Grouse Inn, Carrog, Denbighshire
| Who | Score | When | Notes |
|---|
| Magnus Greel | Not Tried | 14 Sep 2019 | |
| Jack William | | 30 Jul 2019 | A good malty bitter |
The White Swan, Reading Street, Kent
| Who | Score | When | Notes |
|---|
| beery steve | | 22 May 2018 | Excellent Bitter. |