Long-forgotten beers from Manchester’s past are set to be given a new lease of life as part of Manchester’s first city-wide beer festival.

Four of the city’s modern microbreweries have agreed to revive extinct styles as part of an event designed to celebrate the city’s rich brewing heritage.

Three of the recipes have been plucked from the history books of Manchester’s oldest surviving family brewer, JW Lees, and adapted to account for modern tastes and techniques with the help of beer historian Ron Pattinson.

Blackjack Brewery will recreate Lees’ 1951 C Ale, a style of dark, strong ale that was specific to Manchester, Squawk Brewing Co is creating an interpretation of Lees’ 1952 Stout, while Beer Nouveau is looking back as far back as 1903 to brew Lees XXX strong ale.

Meanwhile, Stalybridge-based Tickety Brew will revive an Invalid Stout from the town’s now-extinct brewery, Heginbotham’s, which was once owned and operated by Robinson’s.

Manchester Beer Week organiser Connor Murphy said: “Although there has been a lot of talk about the recent beer boom in Manchester, it is also important to remember the city’s rich brewing heritage.

“This city has long been seen as one of the leading lights in British brewing and it is exciting to be given a rare opportunity to sample the styles that were used to delight the drinking public as far back as 1903.

“It represents an intriguing challenge for the brewers involved, as they will need to adapt these historical styles to suit modern techniques, ingredients and equipment, while staying as true to the original beers as possible.”

The four beers will be launched during an event at The Smithfield Tavern on Monday, June 13. This will include a talk from beer historian Ron Pattinson at 7.30pm, providing background behind the beers and insight into Manchester’s brewing history.