Estrella Damm Acquires Greene King’s Old Speckled Hen Ale Brand

Pub chain Greene King will sell its Old Speckled Hen ale brands to Barcelona‑based brewer Estrella Damm, continuing a wave of overseas takeovers of iconic British beers.

The Deal: Estrella Damm Takes Over Old Speckled Hen

Damm has agreed to acquire the Old Speckled Hen range, including its non‑alcoholic and golden ale variants. Greene King will keep brewing the ale at its Westgate site in Bury St Edmunds during a hand‑over period, after which production will move to Damm’s Bedford brewery, opened in 2025.

Financial Context and Deal Valuation

The companies did not disclose the sale price. For perspective, similar UK beer acquisitions have involved sizable sums: Camden Town Brewery was bought by AB InBev for about £85m in 2015, and Fuller, Smith & Turner sold its drinks business to Asahi for £250m in 2019.

Strategic Implications for the UK Beer Landscape

Greene King plans to focus on selling its own beers within its pubs and the UK on‑trade, pulling back from the off‑trade market. The acquisition gives Damm a foothold in the British ale segment, complementing its existing portfolio and reconnecting its UK Eagle Brewery to historic British brewing roots.

Future Outlook: Brand Positioning and Market Shifts

Old Speckled Hen will remain on shelves in Greene King pubs, major UK supermarkets, and the off‑trade, ensuring continuity for loyal consumers. Industry observers see the deal as part of a broader trend of foreign groups consolidating classic UK beer brands, potentially reshaping distribution channels and competitive dynamics in the coming years.