Celebrating Paul Wood's 50 Years Brewing

7th November 2022

The Prime Minister was Edward Heath, the UK population was 56 million and a pint of beer cost 16p, the year was 1972 and it was also the year Paul Wood walked into Greengate Brewery.

In the following years Paul Wood worked his way through the ranks at JW Lees to become Brewhouse Manager. From the 1970s until today, drinkers across the North West and North Wales will have supped hundreds of millions of pints brewed by Paul.

In celebration of his five decades working in the brewhouse at JW Lees, the team came together to brew one final time, an export ale from a 1960’s recipe that Paul first brewed in 1972. It will also mark Paul’s well-earned retirement.

Michael Lees-Jones, Head Brewer, said: ‘It’s phenomenal that Paul has dedicated his career to brewing for this long. It is a challenging role, physically demanding, requiring a relentless focus on quality. I have no doubt that every second of his experience has been worked into this brew. A great way to mark an incredible achievement.’

So, what is this 60-year-old export strength ale. Well, the recipe was penned into a brewing logbook back in 1972 and being one of his favourite beers, was resurrected by Paul this October. Paul opted for his last brew to be brewed on the new Boilerhouse kit, although a change from the original kit used in the recipe, Paul became very fond of the Boilerhouse over recent years. This kit brews in small 10-barrel batches and is much more hands on. It’s a strong heritage bitter made with pale ale malt, crystal malt and flaked maize. The hop grist is Bramling Cross and Goldings. It is amber in colour, hoppy to taste and has floral aromas.

This very special edition cask beer is now available to drink in JW Lees pubs or to buy wholesale.