Closing its doors in 2012, The Queen’s Brewery served Hydes for over 100 years. Yet the 2.6 acre site was not originally intended for them. Queen’s was initially built to serve another family; the Greatorex’s, who stayed at the brewery for over 35 years.

However, across the city a new family of brewers were on the rise, the Hydes’ family. The brewers had been open for business since 1863 in breweries across Manchester, but now their eyes were firmly fixed on a new home.

Their dreams were realised in the dying embers of the 19th century when, in 1899, they moved into the The Queen’s Brewery. The arrival of Hydes at their new HQ coincided with what was an exciting period for the city of Manchester.

The industrial revolution had already transformed Manchester into one of the UK’s majorcities and new industries continued to move into the city, including flour milling, biscuits and breakfast cereals. Manchester had also begun to make new strides in education, with the John Rylands library opening in 1900, almost 100 years before the opening of the newly merged University of Manchester.

A wide variety of beers began to be brewed at Queen’s including Hydes’ own cask conditioned ales, as well as household names such as Boddingtons and O’Finnegans, supplying over 50 Hydes owned pubs across the North West.

Hydes became such a prominent brewer that it would soon hold tours on the premises. People would travel from all quarters to walk around the historic site, viewing the casks, barrels and hoppers and ending the tour in the brewery bar. The last barrel was to be rolled out in late 2012 and the building at the centre of Hyde’s history would brew no more.

However, even though the brewery is now being turned into residential apartments, much of its historic prowess will remain. The Queen’s Brewery is a Grade II listed building and beautiful features such as the romantic clock tower will remain in the building. The striking exterior of the building will also remain, making it a stand-out property in the area.