'The pub was his life' - Tributes to the driving force behind nationally renowned Dudley Beacon local and brewery
Tributes have been made to the man who revived one of the Black Country's most famous breweries and turned the adjoining pub into one of the most renowned in the country.
John Hughes, who restored Sedgley's Beacon Hotel and reopened Sedgley's Sarah Hughes brewery after a 30-year absence, has died at the age of 87.
Mr Hughes, who had worked at the Bilston Street pub since the age of 11, took over as landlord 1976, and began a long-term project to restore the building and reopen the brewery which had closed in 1957.
The Grade II listed pub, which dated back to 1848, had been owned by Mr Hughes' family since 1921.
The brewery finally reopened in 1987 and was renamed in honour of his grandmother Sarah Hughes. Her recipe for Dark Ruby Mild was found in a glasses case by John before beer production resumed, and quickly became renowned as Britain's strongest mild ale, picking up a string of awards.
The beer is the reigning Campaign for Real Ale West Midlands champion beer.
The Beacon has been a multiple winner of the Dudley and South Staffordshire branch of Camra's pub of the year award - most recently for 2024 and it was runner-up for 2025.
John Hughes was born in Bilston Street, Sedgley in 1937, and and his time with the Catering Corps during National Service led to his love of cooking.
Nephew Simon Massey said he died in Brook Court nursing home, Kidderminster, on June 1.
As well as the Beacon, his Mercedes-Benz SL320 was his pride and joy and he loved travelling to and from his apartment by the sea in Bournemouth for many years.
He married Judy Massey, his long-time partner, in 2004, and ownership of the pub and brewery will now pass to her..
She had helped him with ensuring that all the details of the pub were in the correct Victorian style.
"The pub was their life and they made decisions about it together," said Simon, who lives in Kinver and remains director of the limited company for the brewery and pub.
"Our intention is to carry on the business as it is.
"The Beacon needs preserving for future generations.
"Whatever I can do to keep it the same, I will," he pledged.
Work on replacing the conservatory at the side of the pub had begun before Mr Hughes' death. He had helped with the planning and also with plans to replace old garages at the rear of the car park with a new cold store and barrel was for the brewery.
The funeral will take place at All Saints Parish Church in Sedgley at 11am on July 7.
A procession will lead from the pub shortly before the service which will be followed by cremation at Gornal Wood.
A wake for close friends and family only is being held in the Beacon from midday, with the pub opening to all customers from 2.30pm.
The brewery is also renowned for its Sedgley Surprise and Snowflake ales, the latter which is one of the dozen beers shortlisted for Camra's Champion Beer of Britain which is being judged at the Great British Beer Festival being held at the Birmingham National Exhibition Centre from August 5 to 9.
