Greene King Sells Old Speckled Hen Brands to Spanish Brewer SA Damm

Greene King has agreed to sell the Old Speckled Hen group of beers to Damm UK, the British arm of Spanish brewer SA Damm. The deal covers Old Speckled Hen, Old Golden Hen, Old Crafty Hen, Old Master Hen and Low Alcohol Old Speckled Hen. The owner of Estrella Damm will continue brewing the beers at Greene King's Westgate Brewery in Bury St Edmunds during a handover period.

Production will then shift to Damm's recently built brewery in Bedford, and the Westgate site is expected to close in the long term.

King said the sale forms part of a wider strategy to focus on its pubs. The company will move away from producing beer for sale in supermarkets and other retailers while continuing to brew cask ale and craft beer such as Greene King IPA and Abbot Ale for its own venues.

Old Speckled Hen brands account for more than half of Greene King's beers sold in UK retailers. The Suffolk-based firm operates 2,500 pubs, restaurants and hotels.

King plans to open a new £40 million brewery in Bury St Edmunds in summer 2027. Its Scottish Belhaven brewing business will not be affected by the changes. Nick Mackenzie, chief executive of Greene King, said: “Brewing beer in Bury St Edmunds to be sold in pubs is what we have been doing for more than 200 years.

” 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.