Old Speckled Hen 4.5% 4.5G CASK - Tennent's Direct
Old Speckled Hen 4.5% 4.5G CASK
www.tennentsdirect.comHere’s the latest on the Old Speckled Hen brand sale.
Short answer
- Greene King has agreed to sell the Old Speckled Hen brand to Damm UK (the British arm of SA Damm, owner of Estrella Damm) as part of its strategy to focus more on pub operations and away from off-trade retail. Production will transition from the Westgate Brewery in Bury St Edmunds to Damm’s facilities, with some initial brewing still at Westgate during the handover. The brand will remain available in major UK supermarkets and retailers during the transition. These moves were reported on May 19, 2026.[1][3][9]
Background and what this means
- What’s changing: The Old Speckled Hen family (Old Speckled Hen, Golden Hen, Old Craft Hen, Old Master Hen, and Low Alcohol variants) is moving from Greene King’s portfolio to Damm UK. Greene King plans to close the Westgate Brewery eventually, replacing production with a new facility in the town, while continuing to supply the beers through retail channels during the transition.[4][8][1]
- Why now: Greene King is reorganizing to concentrate on its pub estate and reduce off-trade beer production. Old Speckled Hen currently accounts for a significant portion of Greene King’s retail beer sales, so the sale aligns with their strategic shift.[3][8][1]
- Market impact: For consumers, Old Speckled Hen will still be purchasable in major supermarkets and retailers during the transition, but long-term production will be under Damm UK at Bedford, not Westgate. pubs and on-trade sales remain a core focus for Greene King’s remaining portfolio.[7][9][1]
What to watch next
- The transition timeline may involve an overlap where Westgate continues brewing to ensure continuity, followed by full production relocation to Damm’s Bedford site. Keep an eye on official statements from Greene King and Damm UK for final dates and any changes to distribution or availability.[9][1][4]
Representative sources you can consult
- Express.co: Detailed report on the sale and brewery closure plans.[1]
- Mirror: Summary of the sale and implications for Westgate Brewery.[3]
- BBC: News overview on the sale and production shift to Bedford.[9]
If you’d like, I can pull the latest updates from these sources or summarize the key dates as they’re announced.