Humphrey Smith: Beer titan of North Yorkshire dies aged 81
Humphrey Smith, the owner of one of Yorkshire’s most famous breweries, Samuel Smith’s, has died at the age of 81.
Mr Smith died on Monday, it was confirmed, after a period of ill health.
A well-known figure in the North Yorkshire town of Tadcaster, where the brewery is still based, Mr Smith was described yesterday as a “proper gentleman” by the town’s mayor.
Richard Sweeting said Mr Smith’s death marked “the end of an era.”
Speaking to the Yorkshire Post, Mr Sweeting said: “Mr Smith was part of our town, and our families have been connected for many years.
“The mood in Tadcaster is that we’re mourning someone who has been part of our lives. It’s the end of an era.
“Mr Smith was a private man, but one thing about him is that he had Tadcaster in his heart. He was a proper gentleman, with a lovely sense of humour.
“It’s a sad day. Humphrey was always part of Tad, and he cared.
"We are a very strong community in Tadcaster, and the town wouldn’t be where it is without the brewery’s input.
"He did a lot of things privately for the good of this town. We wouldn’t have the swimming pool without him.
"He was well respected by the community.
“My thoughts and prayers are with his family.”
The flag at Samuel Smith’s brewery was flying at half mast on Tuesday, Mr Sweeting said.
Under Mr Smith’s long ownership, Samuel Smith’s 200 pubs which are run across the country gained a reputation as having strict rules, with laptops and phones barred. Swearing has also been banned within the pubs.
Mr Smith was well-known for dismissing tenants who he believed were flouting these rules, with many Sam Smiths pubs currently vacant.
The brewery, founded in 1758, still uses traditional dray horses and carts for some of its deliveries.
A large number of buildings in Tadcaster are owned by the historic brewery, as well as swathes of land both in and surrounding the town.
Mr Smith lived at Oxton Hall, a Grade II listed house just outside the town, and could often be seen walking through Tadcaster.
Educated at Eton College in the 1950s, Mr Smith took full control of the brewery alongside his brother Oliver in the 1980s.
He and his wife Julia had two children, Maude and Samuel.