Old Spanish Hen? Estrella owner buys Greene King ale brand
Greene King has sold its Old Speckled Hen ale brand to the Spanish brewer Damm, known for Estrella lager. This acquisition marks another instance of British beer brands being purchased by foreign companies. Greene King will continue brewing the ale during the transition period before production moves to Damm's brewery in Bedford.
- ▪Old Speckled Hen has been owned by Greene King since 1999.
- ▪The sale to Damm is part of a trend of British beers being acquired by overseas buyers.
- ▪Greene King will still offer Old Speckled Hen in its pubs and major UK supermarkets after the sale.
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Old Speckled Hen ale has been owned by Greene King since 1999. Photograph: Graham Turner/The GuardianView image in fullscreenOld Speckled Hen ale has been owned by Greene King since 1999. Photograph: Graham Turner/The GuardianGreene KingOld Spanish Hen? Estrella owner buys Greene King ale brandPub owner’s sale to Barcelona-based brewer Damm is latest takeover of a British beer by an overseas buyer Business live – latest updates Lauren AlmeidaTue 19 May 2026 07.15 EDTLast modified on Tue 19 May 2026 07.17 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GooglePub chain Greene King has agreed to sell its Old Speckled Hen ale brands to the Spanish owner of Estrella lager, making it the latest in a series of British beers to be snapped up by overseas buyers.Barcelona-based brewer Damm has agreed to buy Old…
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