Old Speckled Hen brand bought by Damm UK, brewing to move to Bedford

Pub operator Greene King announced on 19 May 2026 that it has sold the Old Speckled Hen family of beer brands to S.A. Damm’s UK arm, Damm UK. The deal covers Old Speckled Hen, Old Golden Hen, Old Crafty Hen, Old Master Hen and the low-alcohol Old Speckled Hen; financial terms were not disclosed. Both parties said the brands will remain available across the UK during and after the transition.

Under the agreement, production will continue at Greene King’s Westgate brewery in Bury St Edmunds during the handover period to ensure supply continuity and product consistency. Following the transition, brewing is planned to transfer to Damm’s Eagle Brewery in Bedford. Luke White, managing director of Damm UK, described the acquisition as an opportunity to “take the brand forward” while Greene King CEO Nick Mackenzie said the deal secures the brand’s future and ensures consumers will continue to have access to the ales.

The sale marks a strategic shift for Greene King as it scales back its presence in the off-trade (supermarkets and retail) and refocuses on pub-led growth. Industry data indicate that Old Speckled Hen’s retail volumes have declined over the past year, contributing to the decision to restructure how the company sells and distributes its beer portfolio. Greene King has signalled that it will prioritise on-trade channels and pursue a new brewing strategy aligned with its pub estate.

In a broader context, the acquisition is another instance of UK beer brands being taken on by overseas brewers, and it follows Damm’s earlier investment in the UK, including the 2022 purchase and subsequent upgrade of the Eagle Brewery in Bedford. Greene King, which was acquired by CK Asset Holdings in 2019, has been reshaping its operations and this divestment fits into a wider repositioning of resources and market focus.

Market watchers say Damm is likely to benefit from economies of scale and broader distribution capacity, but keeping consumer trust will be essential for the iconic ale. The operational impact on Greene King’s brewing footprint and local employment in Bury St Edmunds will be monitored closely. With the financial consideration undisclosed, analysts expect any material balance-sheet effects to emerge only when more details of the transaction and the companies’ post-deal supply arrangements become available.