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JW Lees Founder's

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A premium bitter named after founder John Lees, stronger and fuller than the brewery's standard ale. Pale ale and crystal malts give a deep auburn, chestnut colour and a malty nose. Roasted chestnut and caramel flavours carry the palate, with a nutty touch, before a crisp, clean finish keeps it from turning heavy. The brewery places it in the tradition of the extra special bitter once reserved for a company's directors, here brewed for general sale on cask.

ABV
4.5%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Roasted bitterness
SRM
amber12
PaceA Few
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
maltycleanroasted
malty
clean
roasted
caramel
nutty
Aroma
The nose leads with roasted chestnut and caramel sweetness, underpinned by the depth of toasted Malz character.
not found:hoppy,bready,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for JW Lees Founder's

◎ Appearance

Deep auburn to chestnut brown, displaying the warmth of well-balanced pale and crystal malts. The beer presents with bright clarity and a dense, persistent head that lays down clean lacing as you drink. Carbonation is moderate and even, supporting the visual presence without appearing effervescent.

deep auburnchestnut brownclearpersistent head

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with roasted chestnut and caramel sweetness, underpinned by the depth of toasted Malz character. Subtle nuttiness emerges alongside gentle malt richness, with no harsh alcohol notes despite the 4.5% ABV. The overall impression is warm and inviting, free from any sharp or astringent edges.

roasted chestnutcaramel sweetnesstoasted maltnutty undertone

◐ Taste

Roasted chestnut and caramel flavours dominate the palate, delivering malty substance without heaviness. A gentle nutty character persists through the mid-palate, while the 28 IBUs provide restrained bitterness that balances rather than dominates. The body remains full and smooth, holding its character without becoming cloying or flat.

malty backboneroasted caramelbalanced bitternesssmooth body

◑ Finish

The finish arrives crisp and clean, cutting through the malt sweetness with refreshing efficiency. Aftertaste fades to a dry, slightly nutty memory, leaving the palate ready for the next drink.

crisp finishdry aftertasteclean
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
79
Taste
80
Appearance
76
Finish
75
Serve at 8–11°C

Serve at 8–11°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Pint glass

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with JW Lees Founder's

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All 9 beers from JW Lees →

About Best Bitter

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Best Bitter?

Best Bitter is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar Best Bitter

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same malty, clean, roasted character as JW Lees Founder's will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other Best Bitters in hopIQ

FEATURED IN

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