Town Lane Brewery
James Lees, Town Lane Brewery, Town Lane, Denton, Greater Manchester
Established in 1848 by James and William Lees. There was also a farm at the site. In 1851, James Lees was a Hat Manufacturer in Worsley.
By 1881, James's son, Thomas, was an Assistant Brewer. By 1891, another son, William Lees was recorded as Master Brewer.
List of the Town Lane Brewery pubs
The brewery in 1848
From Century’s Progress: Lancashire (Representatives of Commerce) 1892 (THE LONDON PRINTING AND ENGRAVING CO.):
AN old-established and leading house in its line is that of Messrs. James and William Lees, of the Town Lane Brewery, the well-known brewers of ales, porter, and "Invalid Stout". This noted business was established as far back as 1848 by Messrs. James and William Lees, who soon gained a name for the superior excellence of their productions, and the fair and liberal treatment all customers received. The present proprietor is Mr. William Lees, the son of one of the founders, a gentleman whose thorough knowledge of the business, joined to sound business habits and good commercial status, places him in a position to maintain to the full the enviable reputation the house has acquired. The premises occupied are ample in size, covering some four acres of land, and there is besides a farm attached of considerable extent, which will allow any further extension of the works to be easily effected.
The buildings are large and commodious, and arranged in a manner most conducive to the successful control of the business. They comprise well-appointed offices, laboratory, capacious malt and hop stores, cooling-rooms, &c., are fitted up in a thoroughly complete style, with modern and improved appliances and machinery; and the pumps, refrigerators, attemperators, vats and boilers belonging to the establishment are of the newest principle. The establishment is furnished with what is known as a sixty-barrel plant, and it is second to none in the neighbourhood for its efficiency. The barrels are filled by gravitation in such a manner as to render their contents free from any kind of sediment. The cellars attached to this establishment are spacious and eminently suitable, and the sheds are literally packed with barrels and casks of every size, while ample accommodation is provided for the large team of horses the firm employ in the delivery of their goods. A numerous staff of skilled operatives is employed; the brewer was for many years in the service of a celebrated Burton firm. An extensive trade is controlled by the firm in the production of superior mild and bitter ales and stout. The beverages emanating from this house are widely known for their purity, flavour and excellence; they have no superiors, and few equals, in the locality. The best malt and hops only are used, and the perfection of the appliances, together with the experience brought to bear in the brewing, enables the best results possible to be obtained.
The water, too, is of the character best adapted to the brewing of good ales and stout, and the situation of the works themselves is open and healthy. The establishment is particularly famed for its "Invalid Stout", which is highly recommended by physicians for its invigorating and nutritive qualities. A splendid connection has been developed among the leading hotels and publicans, and a large and influential family trade controlled which is growing every day. The proprietor is a gentleman of large experience in every part of his business, and his constant and earnest supervision is bestowed upon the concern to maintain the high standard of excellence for which the products of his house are so widely recognised. All his business transactions are marked by methods of strict fairness and inflexible integrity.