Daniel Gerrard, of Highfield Park, Maltby, has been remanded in custody until his next court appearance.
South Yorkshire Police launched a murder investigation after the 45-year-old father-of-three from Dinnington died following an altercation in the Don John Hotel pub, in Maltby, at around 10pm on Sunday.
Mr Hurdley sustained a serious head injury and was taken to Rotherham Hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.