A northern Tasmanian man who brutally bashed a Launceston publican has been sentenced to two years in jail.

A jury found Matthew Wayne Leslie, 22, guilty of assault and aggravated burglary.

Leslie tried to steal alcohol from the Archers Manor function centre at Newnham in 2011 when he was confronted by the licensee.

The court heard the licensee was hit head with a bottle, thrown to the ground, punched in the head multiple times and hit with a baton.

The Supreme court jury delivered a unanimous guilty verdict to one count of assault and one count of aggravated burglary.

Leslie is already serving time for other offences and will be eligible for parole in December 2015.