Greene King is adopting a new brewing strategy, and has also announced that it is selling its Old Speckled Hen brands to Damm UK.
The brands include the full range of Old Speckled Hen spin-offs, such as Old Golden Hen and Old Master Hen. Brewing is expected to start at Damm’s Eagle Brewery, in Bedford, next June.
“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,” said Greene King chief executive Nick Mackenzie.
“We look forward to working closely in partnership with Damm and seeing Old Speckled Hen’s future success under their ownership.”
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.”
Old Speckled Hen was originally made by Morland Brewery, in Oxfordshire, which was sold to Greene King in 2000. It is named after an experimental MG car made by the company in the 1920s, and used as a local run-around. The beer was first made in 1979, to mark the 50th anniversary of MG moving from Oxford to Abingdon.
Going forward, Greene King plans to sell more beer through the on-trade rather than the off-trade.
