Hydes Brewery pub tour reaches record numbers

Salford-based brewery and pub company Hydes has seen its brewery and pub tour draw record numbers across Greater Manchester and Cheshire. db discovers more about how “building loyalty” has led to its success.

Hydes Brewery, which was established in 1863 and owns an estate of more than 40 pubs throughout the north west and across North Wales, saw more than 500 participants join its specially-commissioned fleet of buses for its annual tour during the event’s fourth year.

Pub investment

Last year, Hydes made a multi-million pound investment into its pub estate which began with a refurbishment of The Abel Heywood in Manchester’s Northern Quarter.

Speaking to the drinks business, Hydes managing director Adam Mayers said: “The Hydes pub tour has really become a highlight for our customers and our pubs. It’s all about giving people the chance to discover other Hydes pubs they might not have visited before and to enjoy the sense of community that comes with it. It’s great to see so many people chatting, laughing, and making new friends along the way; that’s what a great pub experience is all about. Whether it’s a quiet pint by the fire or a long-overdue catch-up with friends, we always want our pubs to feel welcoming and centred around the customer.”

Mayers has previously mentioned how committed the company was to putting money back into pubs and told db: “Investing in pubs is essential” and explained that “building loyalty with customers is hugely important” as well as “providing a memorable experience in high-quality surroundings”.

The tour

The ale trail style tour features a route through some of Hydes’ most popular pubs across the regions of Greater Manchester and Cheshire across England. Beginning at The Horse and Farrier in Gatley, the tour takes participants through a line-up of standout Hydes pubs, giving them the chance to sample a wide range of ales at venues including: The Crown, The James Watts, Cross Keys, The Victoria, The Friendship Inn, Studio Bar, and The Fletcher Moss, before finishing at the Prince of Wales, in Gatley.

Some of the elements of the tour that have been noted by attendees as appealing include the fact that people can enjoy the flexibility of a hop-on, hop-off bus service, with transport running throughout the day, allowing each of them to travel between pubs at their own pace. Plus, as an added bonus, each ticket includes a complimentary pint and a commemorative Hydes Pub Tour t-shirt.

Mayers explained that “the tour is also the perfect time to enjoy some fantastic beers, including our final seasonal ale of the year, Imperial, which rounds off a brilliant 2025 line-up from our Vintage cask ale collection, and our new German-style lager, Helles, which has been a real hit with customers since its launch this summer”.

Regulars return and new faces emerge

Speaking about the tours and their success, Stephen Jackson, business development manager who organises the event for Hydes, said: “This year’s tour was our biggest and best yet. It’s a fantastic opportunity for our customers to explore a great selection of Hydes pubs, meet new people and enjoy a fun, sociable day out. We’ve seen the event grow every year, and it’s brilliant to see so many regulars and new faces taking part.”

Hydes Brewery managing director Adam Mayers explained: “The pub tour has become a real highlight in the Hydes calendar. It’s a great way to bring together customers from across the north west and celebrate what makes our pubs so special – great beer, great company and a welcoming atmosphere.”

Mayers added: “Each year it goes from strength-to-strength, and the turnout this time shows just how much people look forward to it. We are already looking forward to planning an even larger and more extensive tour for next year.”

This summer, Hydes toasted Oasis homecoming gigs with a tribute beer named Definitely Not Maybe, which launched in time for the Manchester band’s s reunion shows.

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