Meet the Team
Next in our series introducing you to the people who make up Team Abbeydale (our Co-Owners), we’d love you to meet Jono, one of our fantastic team of delivery drivers! Jono is well known as a friendly face to our pub customers, and you may also have spotted him behind the bar at one of our brewery events, but as he’s mostly based out on the road we thought it’d be nice to spend some time for the rest of you to get to know more about him too! Over to Jono!
First up, the basics! What’s your name and where do you come from?
I’m Jono and I’m from Derbyshire – Matlock specifically!
What is your role at Abbeydale Brewery?
I’m a drayman, so my days are spent on the road delivering beer to the many fantastic pubs we supply. I’ve worked here since June 2024.
What’s your favourite beer/beer style and why?
Pale and golden beers are my bag – Moonshine, and Peak Ales Chatsworth Gold are just the kinds of thing I enjoy. I’m also pretty partial to a Guinness 0.0 when I’m up early the next day!
What’s your favourite thing about working at Abbeydale Brewery?
The colleagues! We’ve got a great bunch here, whether it’s among the drivers sorting out the day’s runs or the wider team.
Favourite pub to enjoy a pint?
I’m a big fan of the Thorn Tree in Matlock, it’s just a short walk from home and it’s got gorgeous views. The Laburnum Inn is near me too and also has a great beer garden. The Farmacie has some great beers (it’s a brewery based on a farm, with beers made by an ex-pharmacist!) and for a beer to enjoy alongside some live music I’d pick Twenty Ten.
Where did you have your first (legal!) pint?
Oh I’ve got two answers to this – technically, my first legal pint was in a pub in Pembrokeshire as part of a geology field trip, I was only 17, but it was with a meal!
When I turned 18 my first pint was actually a double pint in the Railway, Matlock. For some reason I mysteriously can’t recall the specific beer!
Favourite snack to enjoy alongside a beer?
Pork scratchings (or a kebab, yes, I’m counting that as a snack).
When you’re not out on the road delivering beer, what do you get up to?
I mainly like to play live music. I’m a drummer, currently in an indie rock band with a lead singer who’s fittingly named Indie, and have played in metal bands in the past too. As well as being on stage myself I also enjoy going to gigs to watch live music, and I’m currently building a house as well!
Who’s your hero?
My dad – he’s 78 and still working harder than most!
And finally… If you were a cartoon character, who would it be?
Do comic books count? I’ll go for Wolverine!
