Greene King announces sale of Old Speckled Hen beer brands to Estrella Damm owner

Tuesday, 19 May 2026 – Greene King, the UK’s leading pub company and brewer, today announces that it has agreed to sell the Old Speckled Hen (OSH) family of beer brands to Damm UK, owner of Estrella Damm, the family-owned Spanish brewing business with operations in Bedford, UK.

Greene King acquired OSH in 1999 from Morland and has grown it into one of the nation’s favourite ales. The Company has found a new partner for the brand in Damm to support OSH’s future growth. The award-winning OSH family of brands includes Old Speckled Hen, Old Golden Hen, Old Crafty Hen and Old Master Hen.

It is expected that from June 2027 that OSH will be brewed at the Damm Eagle Brewery in Bedford. As part of the transition process, OSH will continue to be brewed in Greene King’s Westgate Brewery until June 2027, when Greene King’s new Bury St Edmunds brewery is due to open.

It is expected that, following completion of the sale, the much-loved OSH brands will continue to be available in Greene King’s pubs, and the off-trade, including major supermarkets across 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 brewer Damm UK who will continue to brew the ales in the UK. We look forward to working closely in partnership with Damm and seeing OSH’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.

“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.”

Notes to Editors

About Greene King

Greene King is the country’s leading pub company and brewer trading c2,500 pubs, restaurants and hotels across England, Wales and Scotland. Founded in 1799 with offices in Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk and Burton on Trent in Staffordshire, the Group employs around 38,000 people and operates three divisions including Managed Pubs, Pub Partners and Brewing & Brands.

About Damm

Founded in Barcelona in 1876, Damm is one of Spain’s leading food and beverage companies. The business spans brewing, hospitality, logistics, and distribution sectors. It operates 18 production plants across the Iberian Peninsula and one in the UK, producing and packaging close to 21mHL of beer, water, soft drinks, dairy products, and milkshakes annually. In 2024, Damm reported a turnover of €2bn and employed 5,425 people. Damm’s brands are present in more than 130 countries. In 2022, Damm acquired the Eagle Brewery in Bedford, reinforcing its commitment to the UK market. Damm is celebrating its 150th anniversary.

For more information:

Harry Vavasour, Headland Consultancy | Email: HVavasour@headlandconsultancy.com

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