'He led a life of hospitality and service': Ale buffs from across the Black Country turn out for funeral of legendary Dudley pub landlord

John Hughes, who famously reopened the brewery at the Beacon Hotel in Sedgley, was remembered at the village's All Saints' Church.

A pint of the brewery's award-winning Ruby Mild was placed on the coffin during Mr Hughes's funeral, although the Rev Canon Diane Cooksey joked that it had not been maintained to the landlord's usual standards, having been allowed to go flat. 

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Mr Hughes was born in 1937 in Bilston Street, Sedgley, just yards from the pub and brewery, which dated back to 1848. He was attached to the Catering Corps for his National Service, where he developed his love of cooking.

The pub and brewery, which dated back to 1848, had been in the Hughes family since 1921.

The brewery had closed in 1957. But when he took over as licensee in 1976, John embarked on an 11-year project to restore the pub to its Victorian glory and reopen the brewery at the rear.

He was aided by his childhood sweetheart Judy Massey, who ensured that all the Victorian details were correct, and the couple married in 2004.

During the restoration work, John discovered his grandmother's old recipe for Dark Ruby Mild, and John decided to reintroduce the strong mild when he reopened the brewery, in 1987, which he renamed Sarah Hughes Brewery in her honour.

Once reputed to be the strongest mild ale in the country, Dark Ruby went on to win a string of awards and is the Campaign for Real Ale's reigning West Midlands regional champion beer.

The painstaking restoration of the pub itself also led to it winning the Dudley and South Staffordshire pub of the year title at total of 10 times, once finishing national runner-up.

Mrs Cooksey told about 70 mourners that John's life had been one of hospitality and service, and recalled how he was known for his meticulous nature - particularly with regards to the Christmas decorations.

She said he had taken a photograph of the pub's Christmas tree to ensure that for years to come it would be maintained to the same standard.

A private wake, for close friends and family, was held at the pub immediately after the service, before the pub reopened for customers to pay their respects at 2.30pm.

Mr Hughes, who was 87, died on June 1 at Brook Court nursing home in Kidderminster. 

His nephew Simon Massey said his aunt and uncle given their all to making the Beacon the pub it is today.

"The pub was their life and they made decisions about it together," said Mr Massey, who lives in Kinver, who has run the brewery in recent years.

"Our intention is to carry on the business as it is," he said.

"The Beacon needs preserving for future generations. Whatever I can do to keep it the same, I will."

Work on replacing the conservatory at the side of the pub had begun before John's 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 was followed by a cremation at Stourbridge Crematorium, and an internment at Gornal Wood.