Manchester’s best brewery opens beer hall with 17 taps opposite the town hall

Taking over the former Duttons site and opening on 21 February, The Founder’s Hall pays homage to the founders of the JW Lees Brewery, one of the oldest brewers in the Manchester city region who have been creating world class beers for almost 200 years.

The brewery was founded by retired cotton manufacturer John Lees, who purchased land in Middleton and built Greengate Brewery, from which the company still operates.

JW Lees Founder’s Hall

The rebranded venue remains in the family of Lees city centre pubs which include Rain Bar, Gulliver’s, The Rembrandt, and Northern Quarter staple The Millstone.

Decor is a cross between Alberts Schloss and industrial Gasworks with cosy colours, bare brick walls and comfy seating.

What’s beer do they have on at Founder’s Hall?

The flagship Lees’ venue showcases the full selection of signature cask ales and craft lagers that their pubs are known for.

There are 17 lines of draught beer including their trademark Bitter, Original Lager, Manchester Craft Lager, Craft Pale, refreshing Light Lager (3.4%), Manchester Pale Ale (MPA), Founders Premium Chestnut Ale, their dark and brooding Stout, as well as seasonal beers including their chocolatey Brown Ale

The long bar also features their notorious new Boilerhouse Craft Pale, plus four limited edition Boilerhouse beers from the microbrewery where they experiment with innovative flavours and which will vary regularly.

All the beer is brewed at the Greengate Brewery in Middleton or at the small-batch Boilerhouse microbrewery next door.

So much beer, so little time. So what’s a beer lover to do? A great way to sample different brews is to ask for a Beer Flight (£5.70) three beers each served in 1/3 pints on a crafty wooden rack to carry over to a table.

Beer not your thing? Not to worry.

There’s a vast range of spirits, cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages to choose from.

The Greengate Brewery in Middleton

If you’re interested in finding out more about their quality beers, check out the JW Lees website where you can find out about the full range.

What’s on the food menu?

There’s hearty pub food in abundance, too.

This modern and comfortable beer hall has lots of decent scran.

Dishes have been carefully selected to complement the range of drinks, ​​including their famous hand-pressed pies.

The pub covers all bases, whether you’re popping in for a pint and some bar snacks to tide you over in the afternoon, or you’re joining friends for steak and generous sides for dinner.

You can also enjoy a quality roast on Sundays with bottomless gravy boats and limitless Yorkshire puddings.

The venue has flexible seating and designated spaces for small groups and will also be available to hire for birthday parties and other special occasions.

You can find out more about JW Lees Founder’s Hall by checking out their website here

2-10 Albert Square, Manchester M2 6LW