Desert Island Pubs – Adam Mayers

Adam Mayers, managing director, Hydes

1. Earliest memory of a pub you can recall?

My earliest memory of a pub is visiting the Wellington on Tranch road in Pontypool. Known under the nickname the “Sally” and now renamed as that. I remember drinking Coke from a glass bottle and may have even had chicken and chips in a basket, although given that it’s over 45 years ago and I was very young I may be wrong.

My first beer that I bought for myself will have either been at The Globe in Pontypool or the Lower New Inn at New Inn. Sadly most of the pubs I frequented in my youth are now lost forever. This is why we all need to support our locals.

2. Most inspirational pub to your career?

Jabez Clegg on Portsmouth Street in Manchester was probably the pub I had the most fun in and was an amazing Student night spot. Great for day drinking, skiving lectures and the upstairs night club. It was what pubs were all about – having fun, socialising, meeting the next potential love of your life, and laughing a lot. 

Why is it inspiration? For me that’s what hospitality is about – making people happy. It doesn’t matter the type of venue, being a drinks-led boozer, student venue or country pub. Our job is to make people happy and Jabez Clegg did that for me.

3. Your current local?

My current local is the Mounting Stone in Bramhall, Stockport, where I live. It is a no-frills independent bar located in the centre of the town. It markets itself as the “Least-worst bar in Bramhall”. There’s no sport or music and it keeps a decent pint of cask, which should never be underestimated. It’s the place we always seem to meet first and I seem to always know someone in there.

4. Your favourite pub?

First of all, it has to be a Hydes Pub and to pick one would be unfair on the rest as they are all great. So I’ll name a couple with a few reasons, but to say they were my favourite would be unfair on the rest.

Fletcher Moss in Didsbury is just a fantastic atmosphere every weekend with a wide range of clientele. It shows what a pub can be. Harry Beswick in Heswall was my first acquisition as Hydes MD and is a conversion of a former police station and I think anyone who visits will agree the results are stunning.

5. The pub you’d like to take to the island?

I’d take the John Millington in Cheadle Hulme, and yes it’s another Hydes Pub, with great food, great drinks and a great atmosphere.

6. The beer (unlimited supply) you’d take to the desert island?

Hydes Hopster a 3.8% refreshing, zesty blonde coloured ale. We introduced the beer post-Covid to our core range and it has done well ever since.

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