New head brewer for Middleton company

JW Lees, the Middleton based brewery, has appointed a sixth generation family member as head brewer.

Michael Lees-Jones will take up the role on 8 September, replacing Giles Dennis, who has been in the role since 1981.

A spokesman for JW Lees said that Mr Dennis would remain as director of production until he retires next summer to take on a consultancy role.

Mr Lees-Jones joined the brewer in 1999 after graduating from Edinburgh University. He earned a post-graduate diploma in brewing and distilling and has gained brewing experience at Bass and Shepherd Neame. He became a director of JW Lees in 2005 and qualified as a master brewer in 2006.