Iconic 90s beer RETURNS to taps after over a decade – and punters will be buzzing

The Sun

21-07-2025

AN iconic 90s beer is returning to pub taps after over a decade to the delight of punters.
The legendary "Cream of Manchester", Boddingtons Cask Ale, became a symbol of Northern Pride, with the brewery famed for its memorable adverts starring Melanie Sykes.
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First brewed in 1778, the famous ale disappeared from handpumps in 2012 but is now set to return to pubs across the North West.
Manchester's oldest brewer JW Lees is to brew the cask ale close to its original home under licence from Budweiser Brewing Group.
Punters who have waited 13 years for a sip of the creamy ale will be able to order a pint of it in selected pubs across the North West from September, before it becomes more widely available.
The brewery said it would be brewed using traditional methods, but would be given a fresh twist for modern punters.
The relaunched cask ale will have an ABV of 4% - slightly weaker than its original 4.1% recipe.
JW Lees director William Lees-Jones said: 'When I joined JW Lees in 1994, Boddingtons was 'The Cream of Manchester' and we were in awe of their position in leading the cask beer revolution …'
'We are planning to put Boddingtons back where it rightly deserves to be, as one of the leading premium UK cask beers, particularly in our heartland of the North West.
'We also look forward to working with Budweiser Brewing Group with their portfolio of market-leading lagers and premium packaged beers in our pubs.'
Boddingtons is best known for its creamy texture and the catchphrase "Do you want a flake in that?" which it adopted in its iconic 90s advertising campaign.
TV presenter and Northerner Melanie Sykes first found fame starring in the ads, which originally aired in 1996, before she made the leap into presenting thanks to The Big Breakfast.
Mel Sykes stars in classic Boddington's Bitter advert with athlete Ken George
The star reunited with her "old muckers" in 2017 to shoot a new Boddingtons ad.
While production of its cask beers stopped in 2012, cans of Boddingtons draught bitter can still be found in high street stores.
As part of the beer's relaunch, JW Lees has created a new ad campaign referencing another of Boddingtons' famous slogans.
A poster by the brewery readers: "By 'eck, the Cream of Manchester is back on cask" - a reference to the original "By 'eck it's gorgeous" line synonymous with Boddingtons' 90s ads.
AB InBev (Budweiser Brewing Group) president Brian Perkins said "We are excited to relaunch Boddingtons Cask Ale in partnership with JW Lees, combining one of the UK's most iconic beer brands with one of its most respected brewers.
"We see real growth potential for Boddingtons in the UK On Trade, and this is a great example of how strategic partnerships can unlock value for both businesses and beer lovers alike.'
Other iconic beers returning to pubs
The Cream of Manchester isn't the only iconic beer returning to pub taps.
Double Diamond beer was among the nation's best-selling drinks from the 1950s to through to the early 1990s, before it was discontinued in 2003.
It made its return to pubs last year, and it was recently revealed that it has returned to the high street, with cans of the pale ale on sale in Tesco.
In other booze news, Captain Morgan announced this month it's launching a "tropical beer" for the first time.
The iconic rum maker's "Muck Pit Brew" is described as a "tropical beer-inspired drink with a gently fizzy twist, combines spiced rum, hops, and vibrant Caribbean vibes."
The flavours are inspired by hops, which are a common ingredient found in beer, and fermented fruits such as mango.
The booze contains 4% alcohol by volume (ABV) and is available in 440ml cans.