L-R: Tom and Adam at the newly launched Harry Beswick
Leading North West brewery and pub retailer Hydes is ensuring that the future of the business is in good hands after Hydes family member and brewery employee Tom Allkins, passed his Level 4 brewing apprenticeship with distinction.
Established in 1863, Hydes is commemorating its 160th anniversary this year.
Tom, who is the nephew of Adam Hyde, the longest serving employee and family member in the business as company secretary, has now been promoted from brewing apprentice to laboratory manager at Hydes brewery premises in Salford.
To celebrate Tom’s promotion and exciting journey within the family business, both he and Adam Hyde were invited to the newly opened Hydes premium dining pub, The Harry Beswick, in Heswall, on the Wirral. Tom had the honour of pulling the first official Hydes pint from the newly installed pumps, serving it to his uncle Adam.
The £3.6M Harry Beswick is the first new Hydes establishment to open in five years. Hydes acquired the landmark building, formerly Heswall’s community police station, in 2022 costing £1.3million. The acquisition of the building was Hydes’ first property acquisition since 2018.
In addition to Tom’s apprenticeship achievements, fellow brewery worker Tom Rostron has also passed his apprenticeship and has been appointed Hydes’ brewery manager.
Hydes originated when brothers Alfred and Ralf Hyde acquired a small brewing concern in Manchester from their grandfather Thomas Shaw in 1863, beginning a brewing dynasty that would go on to mark its 160th anniversary this year.
As Hydes’ business developed it was managed by a variety of family members from different generations, increasing success led to it outgrowing its premises several times.
In 1899, with William and Annie Hyde in control, the business moved to its long-term home at the Queens Brewery site in Brooks Bar, Manchester. It was under their leadership that the company began acquiring an estate of public houses through which to distribute more of Hydes’ products.
In 2012, after over 100 years, the company ended its tenure at the Queens Brewery and relocated to its existing site in Salford’s Media City, the Beer Studio.
160 years later and Hydes operates nearly 50 pubs ranging from Lancaster in the North to Stoke-on Trent in the Midlands and across to North Wales including a wide selection of premium dining destination outlets and traditional community pubs.
New laboratory manager Tom, commented: “It feels great to be making my own way within the family business and to continue the brewing traditions started 160 years ago. It was an honour to attend the opening of our latest establishment and officially welcome the Harry Beswick into the Hydes pub family.”
Adam Hyde, company secretary and board member, who has spent over 40 years working for the family business, commented: “What better way to commemorate our 160th year of brewing excellence than launching a new addition to our extensive estate and officially welcoming the next generation of the family into the fold, preserving the rich history of the brewery and further strengthening our heritage for another generation.
“The family is very proud of Hydes’ distinguished heritage and reputation as a first rate employer which respects and values its employees. A strong focus on running the business with the traditional values that have guaranteed its survival since 1863 is still very much in play, along with the ability to evolve and adapt to a dynamic and ever-changing landscape.”
Hydes, with its brewery in Media City, Salford, was formed in 1863 and supplies beers to wholesalers, pub companies and other brewers throughout the UK and a pub retailing estate of nearly 50 pubs across the North West of England and North Wales.
