Humphrey Smith, Reclusive Owner of Samuel Smith Brewery, Dies at 81
The longtime head of the Yorkshire-based brewery was known for his strict rules and the abrupt closure of some of its pubs.
Humphrey Smith, the owner of Samuel Smith Old Brewery, died at the age of 81. Smith had been at the helm of the Tadcaster brewer since the 1980s, leading a company known for its traditional brewing methods and a famously stringent corporate culture.
Under Smith's leadership, the brewery implemented strict policies that occasionally led to the sudden dismissal of pub managers, often for alleged rule breaches. Multiple sources have reported that landlords were informed by the brewery that they had broken policies and were dismissed with immediate effect.
Several of the firm's pubs have also been closed, sometimes with little notice, and in some instances left empty for extended periods. Last year, The Abbey in Derby was abruptly closed with a note on the door stating the owner was unhappy about photos of the pub being shared online. The handwritten sign also indicated that the brewery owner had removed the alcohol and closed the premises. Similarly, in 2024, The Shoulder of Mutton in Bradford shut unexpectedly, with the brewery declining to provide a reason. The closure was described by a local CAMRA branch secretary as part of a "pattern" of unexplained losses of Samuel Smith's licensed properties.
Samuel Smith Old Brewery also drew attention when bikers were reportedly barred from The Royal Oak at Ulley, near Rotherham. Patrons were informed by staff in the car park that they could not be served because motorcycles were barred.
Smith maintained a private personal life and rarely engaged with the public or media, adhering to a business philosophy that largely eschewed modern trends, including the widespread use of mobile phones and social media within its establishments. His death marks the end of an era for one of Britain's oldest independent breweries.