One of the UK’s most recognisable ale brands is entering a new chapter, as Damm UK, the British arm of Barcelona-based independent family brewer S.A. Damm, has agreed to acquire the Old Speckled Hen family of beer brands from Greene King.
The deal includes the wider Old Speckled Hen range, including Old Speckled Hen, Old Golden Hen, Old Crafty Hen, Old Master Hen and Low Alcohol Old Speckled Hen.
For now, fans of the beer should not notice any immediate changes. During the transition period, the Old Speckled Hen brands will continue to be brewed at Greene King’s Westgate Brewery, helping to maintain continuity of supply and consistency of quality while the handover takes place.
Following this, brewing is expected to move to Damm’s Eagle Brewery in Bedford.
A new chapter for a classic British ale
Old Speckled Hen has long been one of the best-known names in British ale, with a loyal following across pubs, supermarkets and home fridges up and down the country.
Greene King acquired the brand from Morland in 1999 and has since helped grow it into one of the nation’s favourite premium ales. Now, Damm UK will take the brand forward, with the agreement described as marking a new era for Old Speckled Hen.
Once the purchase is complete, the beers will continue to be available in the off-trade, including major UK supermarkets, as well as across Greene King’s pub network.
Damm UK expands its UK brewing presence
The acquisition also further strengthens Damm’s presence in the UK beer market.
Damm, best known to many drinkers for Estrella Damm, purchased the Eagle Brewery in Bedford in 2022 and has since continued to invest in the site. Bringing Old Speckled Hen into the Damm UK portfolio adds a major British ale brand to its range, while also reconnecting the Bedford brewery with its historic roots in British beer and ale production.
Luke White, Managing Director of Damm UK, said: “Old Speckled Hen is an iconic British ale brand with a rich heritage and loyal following, and we are proud that Greene King has chosen Damm UK to take the brand forward into its next chapter. We have great respect for the history Greene King has built around Old Speckled Hen over the last 25 years and look forward to working closely together throughout the transition period to ensure continued success for the brand, customers and consumers alike. The brand not only complements the current portfolio range by adding another category to our offering but it also reconnects the Damm Eagle Brewery to its historic British beer and ale production roots.”
Greene King says brand is in safe hands
For Greene King, the agreement appears to be focused on securing a long-term future for the Old Speckled Hen family of beers while keeping production in the UK.
Nick Mackenzie, CEO of Greene King, said: “We are proud to have built Old Speckled Hen into one of the nation’s favourite ales over the last 25 years and are delighted to have secured a partner in Estrella Damm who will continue to brew the ales in the UK. We look forward to working closely in partnership with Damm and seeing Old Speckled Hen’s future success under their ownership.”
What does this mean for Old Speckled Hen drinkers?
For now, the key message is continuity. Old Speckled Hen will continue to be brewed at Greene King’s Westgate Brewery during the transition, before production moves to the Damm Eagle Brewery in Bedford.
The brand will also remain widely available, including in supermarkets and Greene King pubs.
For long-time drinkers, the big question will naturally be whether the beer changes once brewing moves to Bedford. Damm UK has emphasised consistency, quality and long-term stewardship, so it sounds like the intention is to preserve what people already know and enjoy about the brand.
Still, as beer fans, we’ll definitely be keeping an eye on how this develops.
What does our beer connoisseur think about this?
Our beer connoisseur, Luke Walster, sees this as a big moment for one of Britain’s most recognisable ales.
Old Speckled Hen is one of those beers that many drinkers know, whether from the supermarket shelf, a pub bar, or as an early introduction to traditional British ale. It has a strong identity, so any change in ownership will naturally make loyal drinkers wonder what comes next.
The reassuring part is that Old Speckled Hen will continue to be brewed in the UK, first at Greene King’s Westgate Brewery during the transition, before moving to Damm’s Eagle Brewery in Bedford. For a beer with such a well-established flavour and following, consistency will be key.
Luke said: “Old Speckled Hen is one of those classic British ales that most beer drinkers will have tried at some point. It’s familiar, dependable and has built up a loyal following over the years, so it’ll be interesting to see how Damm UK handles the brand going forward. The fact it will continue to be brewed in the UK is a positive sign, and the transition period should help keep things consistent. As always, though, the real test will be whether the beer in the glass still feels like Old Speckled Hen once brewing moves to Bedford.”
This feels like a significant new chapter for the brand, and one British ale drinkers will definitely be watching closely.
