JW Lees brings out a cask for Coronation Street

Jack Duckworth could be enjoying a new pint with a familiar name, if he were to take a break from the Rover’s Return and visit a JW Lees pub. The Manchester based brewery has got the go ahead to bring out ale named after Coronation Street.

The 4.2% brew is a ‘premium quality draft ale’. It will be available throughout JW Lees pubs, which are based in the North West. Given that Coronation Street is based near Manchester, the tie-in not just gives JW Lees the advantage of trading on a world famous TV programme, but it also gives ITV, and Manchester based Granada, the opportunity of tying a brand extension in with its history. The Coronation Street ale will be available from April and will be helping the soap to celebrate its 50th anniversary, next year. Whether JW Lees ale takes its place alongside Newton & Ridley on the Rover’s Return bar remains to be seen. If it tempted Roy Cropper away from his customary orange juice the brew would prove truely historic.

JW Lees was founded by cotton manufacturer John Lees at the start of the 19th century when, with the prevalence of cholera, beer was safer than water. The company prides itself on still being an independent family brewer. William Lees-Jones, the managing director, is part of the sixth generation of JW Lees brewers and pub owners.

31 March 2009