Independent family brewery, JW Lees, has announced five new exciting seasonal beers and the return of Plum Pudding by popular demand.
In 2020 JW Lees will release a series of beers that celebrate the variety cask has to offer. The collection showcases exciting limited-edition beers to cater for the drinker with a thirst for something new. The beers will be released in two-month cycles, starting in January with Big Bad Wolf, a 3.6% forest fruit red ale and ending with a JW Lees festive favourite, Plum Pudding, 4.8%.
The range has been expertly hand-drawn to develop bespoke designs that evoke the unique personalities of the beers. JW Lees are hopeful that the eye-catching designs will encourage more drinkers to experience the diverse styles and exciting flavours within cask beer.
Michael Lees-Jones, Head Brewer at JW Lees, said: “We’ve enjoyed developing a series of dynamic beers that offer something different from our core range. Experimentation within our microbrewery, the Boilerhouse, has inspired this progressive thinking. Each creation tells its own story and celebrates the individual characteristics of beer. This is a great step forward in interesting and exciting cask ale, with beers that will stand out from the crowd.”
As a bridge between JW Lees core offer and the short-run Boilerhouse innovations; the seasonal range allows all JW Lees customers to deliver rousing and distinct beer choices, year-round.
Brewed since 2000, Plum Pudding has become a JW Lees tradition. The beer launch co-insides with Plum Pudding Day, 29th November which marks the beginning of Christmas for all stockists. Visit a JW Lees pub at this time and it’ll be sure to get you in the festive spirit.
The 2020 seasonal range will be available to order towards the end of 2019. For further enquiries, customers can visit www.jwlees.co.uk/stock-our-beers
The wider JW Lees portfolio of beers includes; core beers, collaborations (with Professor Brian Cox and Marco Pierre White) and the experimental Boilerhouse range. For more information, visit: www.jwlees.co.uk/brewery
JW Lees is a family brewery company, founded in 1828 by retired cotton manufacturer John Lees. We’re based in Middleton in the North West of Manchester and own JW Lees Brewery, JW Lees Pubs, The Alderley Edge Hotel, The Trearddur Bay Hotel and Willoughby’s Wine Merchants. We’re a sixth-generation family business which employs over 1,200 people, 140 at the brewery and site in Middleton Junction and over 1,000 in our 42 managed pubs, inns and hotels. We also let a further 105 pubs to our Pub Partners.
Further information:
| Chris Mitchell Brand Marketing Manager, JW Lees |
| Tel: 0161 3454409 Mob: 0771 1597051 Email: Chris.Mitchell@jwlees.co.uk |
The 2020 Seasonal series includes:
Big Bad Wolf – Jan/Feb
This is the retelling of a classic beer style. A deep scarlet coloured beer with forest fruit aromas and a punchy flavour that will be sure to ‘blow you away’.
Ingredients: Ale Malt, Roast Barley, Dark Crystal; Blend of complex fruity hops; Forest Fruits
ABV: 3.6%
Style: Red Ale
Bitter: 3.5
Sweet: 3
To See: Deep Scarlet
To Smell: Fruity, Blackberry
To Taste: Punchy, Bitter
Run Rabbit Run – Mar/Apr
Run Rabbit Run showcases a new hop variety for JW Lees. Follow us down the rabbit hole for a complex and earthy experience with a tropical kick.
Ingredients: Ale Malt, Munich, oats; New citrus hop blend
ABV: 4.3%
Style: Golden Ale
Bitter: 4
Sweet: 2
To See: Blonde
To Smell: Tangerine, Tropical
To Taste: Passionfruit, Citrus Pine
100 Years Brew – May/Jun
In a hat-tip to CAMRA’s Mild May initiative, this light mild is inspired by a recipe from the archives of 1920. This rich gold beer delivers a spicy and floral aroma with a nostalgic mellow and delicate flavour.
Ingredients: Unique malt grist including Ale Malt; Traditional English Fuggles Hops
ABV: 3.9%
Style: Light Mild
Bitter: 2
Sweet: 3
To See: Rich Gold
To Smell: Spicy, Floral
To Taste: Refreshing, Mellow, Delicate
Summer Time Lime – Jul/Aug
When it comes to thirst quenching, quaffable summer drinks, few are as perfect as Summer Time Lime. This easy drinking light gold ale balances caramel sweetness with an unmistakable citrus zing.
Ingredients: Lager Malt, Caragold; Balanced citrus hop blend
ABV: 2.8%
Style: Radler
Bitter: 4
Sweet: 4
To See: Straw
To Smell: Lime, Zesty, Fresh
To Taste: Sweet, Citrus, Vibrant
California Dreaming – Sep/Nov
A take on the ‘California Common’ or steam beer – this hybrid style has all the crispness of a lager while retaining the full-bodied flavours of a malty ale.
Ingredients: Ale Malt, Crystal Wheat; Floral bitter hop blend
ABV: 4.1%
Style: Steam Ale
Bitter: 3
Sweet: 3
To See: Copper
To Smell: Malt, Caramel, Toast
To Taste: Crisp, Dry, Smooth
Plum Pudding – Nov/Dec
Every family has their Christmas traditions and Plum Pudding is one of ours. Back by popular demand, we’ve created nothing less than Christmas in a glass.
Ingredients: Crystal Malt, Styrian Golding
ABV: 4.8%
Style: Fruit Ale
Bitter: 3
Sweet: 3
To See: Mahogany
To Smell: Fruit, Rich, Smooth
To Taste: Fruit, Sweet, Moreish