Old Speckled Hen

File:Old Speckled Hen Abingdon1929-1979.png

Old Speckled Hen took its name from an experimental car called the MG Featherlight Saloon. The car's body was made of a wooden frame covered with gold-speckled black cellulosed fabric. It was used as a runaround for workers in the MG factory in Abingdon and was nicknamed the "owd speck'ld un". In 1979, the MG Factory celebrated the 50th anniversary of the MG Car Company's move from Oxford to Abingdon. They asked Abingdon brewers Morland & Co to create a special commemorative beer for the occasion, for which they would suggest the name and would also design the octagonal label.{{cite web | url=https://www.mgcc.co.uk/old-speckled-hen-at-mg90/ | title=Old Speckled Hen at MG90 | date=22 May 2014 }}

Head Brewer Jim Dymore-Brown used a recipe that had been developed by Daniel O'Leary (brewer and former cooper) for this.{{cite tweet|number=1163560379542364166|user=JolyonMaugham|title=@fascinatorfun @ActualRobPerry Your Dad invented Old Speckled Hen? How did we not know this? |date=19 August 2019}}{{cite tweet|number=1135284077517516804|user=fascinatorfun|title=4/. In fact one of his beers is Old Speckled Hen (But the original made for one of my sisters’ engagement was MUCH… |date=2 June 2019}} The beer, an amber coloured Pale Ale, was brewed at a gravity of 1050 to denote the 50th anniversary. Twenty-five barrels, 1200 dozen half-pints bottles, were produced, mostly for the promotional activities at MG, but also for limited distribution to Morland houses in the Abingdon area. What had been produced as a one-off celebration brew, proved so popular that a second batch had to be brewed in time for the main celebrations which were to be held in Abingdon over the weekend of the actual anniversary.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mgcc.co.uk/articles/the-story-behind-the-brew/|title=The story behind the brew}}

After the MG factory closed in 1980, production declined and Old Speckled Hen was almost exclusively available only in pubs operated by Morland due to financial constraints and a different direction being taken by the brewery, which believed its future lay in the production of lager. Within a few years, Morland began to re-explore ale production, reviving Old Speckled Hen and launching the draught version in 1990 with considerable success, with Old Speckled Hen proving to be a beer that Morland could market outside their own estate.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/the-investment-column-old-speckled-hen-takes-off-1354811.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090915231350/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/the-investment-column-old-speckled-hen-takes-off-1354811.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=15 September 2009|title=Old Speckled Hen takes off |last=Stevenson|first=Tom|date=26 November 1996|work=The independent|access-date=4 November 2009|location=London}}{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/food--drink-long-may-the-speckled-hen-range-free-michael-jacksons-beer-of-the-month-outlived-the-abingdon-mg-car-plant-it-commemorated-and-is-now-in-demand-from-brighton-to-blackpool-1476172.html|title=Long may the Speckled Hen range free|author= Michael Jackson|date=2 January 1993|work=The Independent|access-date=4 November 2009|location=London}}

In January 1993, Old Speckled Hen was featured as beer reviewer Michael Jackson's "Beer of the Month" in his regular column for The Independent.{{cite web|url=http://www.beerhunter.com/documents/19133-000104.html|title=Long may the Speckled Hen range free|last=Jackson|first=Michael|date=2 January 1993|publisher=Michael Jackon|access-date=4 November 2009}} The relaunch was thought to be behind an 8.9% interim rise in profits for Morland in June 1997.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/speckled-hen-sales-boost-morland-1255694.html|title=Speckled Hen sales boost Morland |last=Cope|first=Nigel|date=13 June 1997|work=The Independent|access-date=4 November 2009|location=London}}

Greene King announced in December 2003 that, in the light of what it called "foaming" sales of Old Speckled Hen in particular, it was expanding its brewing capacity, having previously been operating at 96% capacity.{{cite news|url=http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/article1038838.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110612141148/http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/article1038838.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 June 2011|title=Greene King gets set to brew more|last=Walsh|first=Dominic|date=10 December 2003|work=The Times|access-date=4 November 2009|location=London}}

Fiona Hope, Greene King's marketing director, speculated in April 2009 that Old Speckled Hen could follow GK's IPA and be made available in the so-called "dual pour font" whereby the tap version is available in two different styles, though this was unconfirmed.{{cite news|url=http://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/news.ma/article/82636|title=Old Speckled Hen could be next for dual- pour font|last=Harrington|first=John|date=8 April 2009|publisher=Morning Advertiser|access-date=4 November 2009|location=London}}

Old Speckled Hen is available in bottles, cans, casks, and kegs. The alcohol by volume of both the canned and bottled versions is 4.8%,{{cite web|url=http://www.oldspeckledhen.co.uk/products.php?beer=old-speckled-hen |title=Age Restriction |publisher=Old Speckled Hen |date= |access-date=24 December 2017}} making it a relatively strong, premium ale, however, the cask version was reduced from 5.2% to 4.5% ABV in 2006 to make it more of a "sessionable beer", resulting in a 60% increase in availability.{{cite news|url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-34012807_ITM|title=Old Speckled Hen launches ads to back new ABV level|date=12 October 2006|publisher=Marketing Week|access-date=4 November 2009|location=London}}{{cite web|url=http://www.talkingretail.com/news/industry-news/2147-old-speckled-hen-loses-its-strength-in-the-on-trade.html|title=Old Speckled Hen loses its strength in the on-trade|date=10 August 2006|publisher=Talking Retail|access-date=4 November 2009|location=London}} Upon acquiring Morland, Greene King almost immediately decided to place emphasis on multi packs, rather than the sale of individual bottles and cans.{{cite web|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-67326832.html|title=SPECKLED HEN FLIES IN PACKS OF THREE|date=11 November 2000|publisher=The Grocer|access-date=4 November 2009|location=London}}{{dead link|date=February 2019|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} In 2023, due to the increased production costs, the ABV content in both the bottled and canned versions of Old Speckled Hen was reduced from 5% to 4.8% ABV. According to the website, this was an attempt by Greene King to maintain customer affordability on the beer by paying less on the excise duty to accommodate the increased production costs, whilst still offering the same great taste.{{cite web|url=https://www.oldspeckledhen.co.uk/our-beers/old-speckled-hen/ |title=Old Speckled Hen |date= |access-date=1 June 2023}}

File:Old speckled hen bottle and glass2.JPG

Old Speckled Hen was, in 2008 and 2009, rebranded to appeal to a younger audience. As part of this, Greene King, through the Speckled Hen brand, has embarked on a marketing campaign involving sponsorship by the Northamptonshire{{cite web|url=http://www.marketingmagazine.co.uk/news/897773/Old-Speckled-Hen-signs-sponsorship-deal-Northants-Cricket/|title=Old Speckled Hen signs sponsorship deal with Northants Cricket|last=Forshaw|first=Luke|date=9 April 2009|publisher=Marketing Magazine|access-date=4 November 2009|location=London}}{{cite news|url=http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/13400/Cricket-casino-and-pint-of.5162526.jp|title=Cricket, casino and pint of real ale|date=4 November 2009|publisher=Northamptonshire Chronicle |access-date=4 November 2009|location=Northampton}} and Derbyshire County Cricket Clubs{{cite web|url=http://www.derbyshireccc.com/servlets/template?FILE=news-fullstory&SID=131060139960305294&news_id=1952&title=Old%20Speckled%20Hen%20nets%20deal%20with%20Derbyshire%20County%20Cricket%20Club|title=Old Speckled Hen nets deal with Derbyshire County Cricket Club |date=29 April 2009|publisher=Derbyshire CCC|access-date=4 November 2009|location=Derby}} and, most notably, the digital television channel Dave.{{cite news|url=http://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/news.ma/article/82848|title=TV debut for Old Speckled Hen|last=Hook|first=Sonya|date=27 April 2009|publisher=Morning Advertiser|access-date=4 November 2009|location=London}}{{cite news|url=http://www.thepublican.com/story.asp?storyCode=63521|title=Old Speckled Hen goes for blokes|last=Yates|first=Nick|date=27 April 2009|publisher=The Publican|access-date=4 November 2009|location=London}} The ten-second adverts, which portray a "crafty fox" seeking out an "elusive hen" and feature the catchphrase "It's different, But it's not a hen", are shown eight times per hour after 9PM on weekdays. Greene King's marketing director said of the deal, "The fit between Dave and Old Speckled Hen is absolutely spot on. Both offer something a little different, witty, and quintessentially British".{{cite web|url=http://www.marketingmagazine.co.uk/news/901380/Old-Speckled-Hen-TV-debut/|title=Old Speckled Hen in TV debut |last=Charles|first=Gemma|date=28 April 2009|publisher=Marketing Magazine|access-date=4 November 2009|location=London}}{{cite web|url=http://www.just-drinks.com/article.aspx?id=97099|title=Greene King 'Old Speckled Hen' to sponsor Dave|date=28 April 2009|publisher=just-drinks.com|access-date=4 November 2009}} The Old Speckled Hen livery also appears on fifteen black cabs in the Central London area.{{cite web |url=http://www.mgaroadster.co.uk/speckled_hen__the_mg_beer.htm |title=Old Speckled Hens- the MG Beer |publisher=mgroadster.co.uk |access-date=1 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180901093417/http://www.mgaroadster.co.uk/speckled_hen__the_mg_beer.htm |archive-date=1 September 2018}}

Old Speckled Hen's advertising was originated by (now defunct) Saatchi Group agency, RPG in 1987. Terry Symonds, head of RPG Design, designed the new label which was based on the MG Octagon to show the link between MG and Morland. After having researched the brand, he discovered that landlords were often asked about the name, so he suggested carrying a label on the reverse of the bottle, that would tell the story. Terry and his team were responsible for rebranding bitter as 1711 (the year of Morland's foundation) and best bitter as 'Old Masters' (a nod to George Morland, a renowned artist and painter). RPG Design also created a new identity to be carried through pub fascias, vehicle livery etc.

Another advertising campaign was part of a drive to appeal to younger drinkers which has also included the weakening of the draught version and the introduction of the advertising slogan "a not so traditional English ale" which featured on an oil painting reproduced in broadsheet newspapers and at 250 London Underground stations.{{cite web|url=http://www.beer-pages.com/protz/news/old-speckled-hen.htm|title=Not so Old Speckled Hen|last=Protz|first=Roger|date=March 2008|publisher=beer-pages.com|access-date=4 November 2009}} Additionally, the campaign revamped the brand's website, again aimed at a younger audience.{{cite web|url=http://www.marketingmagazine.co.uk/news/822276/Old-Speckled-Hen-sports-new-website/|title=Old Speckled Hen sports a new website |last=Donnelly|first=Alison|date=23 June 2008|publisher=Marketing Magazine|access-date=4 November 2009|location=London}} The campaign was masterminded by Fallon Worldwide,{{cite web|url=http://www.campaignlive.co.uk/news/885979/Old-Speckled-Hen-the-not-so-traditional-Fallon/|title=Old Speckled Hen 'the not so traditional' by Fallon|date=25 February 2008|publisher=campaignlive.co.uk|access-date=4 November 2009|location=London}} although the contract was later taken up by the Miles Calcraft Briginshaw Duffy agency, who devised the television campaign, which cost £3.5 million.{{cite web|url=http://www.campaignlive.co.uk/news/902214/MCBD-picks-35m-Old-Speckled-Hen-creative-account/|title=MCBD picks up £3.5m Old Speckled Hen creative account|date=30 April 2009|publisher=campaignlive.co.uk|access-date=4 November 2009|location=London}}

According to Rob Flanagan, brand controller for Old Speckled Hen, the aim of the campaign was to attract up to 3 million new drinkers to the brand, while appearing to retain its "niche" status amongst established customers.{{cite web|url=http://www.thegrocer.co.uk/articles.aspx?page=articles&ID=125098|title=Old Speckled Hen appeals to young |date=3 March 2008|publisher=The Grocer|access-date=4 November 2009|location=London}}

The relaunch was successful, with Greene King reporting "major success".{{cite web|url=http://www.thegrocer.co.uk/articles.aspx?page=articles&ID=120497|title=Ale hailed as the next big thing as sales soar |date=9 July 2007|publisher=The Grocer|access-date=4 November 2009|location=London}}

File:Old Speckled Hen (can).jpg

The Hen has been exported to over 40 countries, including Singapore, where 200 pints a day are sold in a single pub. In the US, it is available in 32 of the 50 states and reportedly popular in New York City. Old Speckled Hen is also available in Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, India, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Spain, Sweden, The Netherlands and Russia.{{cite web|url=http://www.greenekingexport.co.uk/osh_export.htm|title=Old Speckled Hen Exports|publisher=Greene King Brewery|access-date=4 November 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100526203005/http://www.greenekingexport.co.uk/osh_export.htm |archive-date=26 May 2010}}

File:Old crafty hen glass and bottle.JPG

Old Crafty Hen is a 6.5% ABV 'super premium' version of Old Speckled Hen. Released in September 2008, it is marketed as combining the tastes of Speckled Hen and a former Greene King brand, 'Old 5X'.{{cite web|url=http://www.harpers.co.uk/product-news/beer-news/7126-old-speckled-hen-brewers-unveil-super-premium-ale.html|title=Old Speckled Hen brewers unveil super premium ale|last=Weekes|first=Claire|date=23 November 2008|publisher=Harpers Wine and Spirit|access-date=4 November 2009|location=London|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090915193854/http://www.harpers.co.uk/product-news/beer-news/7126-old-speckled-hen-brewers-unveil-super-premium-ale.html|archive-date=15 September 2009|url-status=dead}} Neil Jardine, of Greene King claims that Crafty Hen is "a genuinely exceptional beer". Crafty Hen is significantly stronger than Speckled Hen, having been matured for several years, giving it a less pronounced flavour that varies from one batch to the next.{{cite web|url=http://beer-pages.com/protz/features/old-crafty-hen.htm|title=The Old Crafty Hen|last=Protz|first=Roger|date=September 2008|publisher=beer-pages.com|access-date=4 November 2009}} Old Crafty was listed as number three in The Independent's Top Ten Best Winter Ales.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/extras/indybest/food-drink/the-ten-best-winter-ales-1036505.html?action=Popup&ino=3|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090915232214/http://www.independent.co.uk/extras/indybest/food-drink/the-ten-best-winter-ales-1036505.html?action=Popup&ino=3|url-status=dead|archive-date=15 September 2009|title=The Ten Best Winter Ales|work=The Independent|access-date=4 November 2009|location=London | date=27 November 2008}}

File:Old golden hen.jpg

Old Golden Hen was launched in August 2011, it is a light golden ale. Crafted by the master brewer of "Old Speckled Hen", this light golden beer is brewed using pale malts and Tasmanian Galaxy hops giving a light golden colour.

A year after being launched in 2011, Old Golden Hen won a Gold Quality Award at the 2012 Monde Selection’s World Quality Selections The brand became the third member of the Old Speckled Hen family to win a Monde Selection Quality Award.[http://www.greeneking.co.uk/index.asp?pageid=40&newsid=47 GOLD FOR GOLDEN MEANS QUALITY IS ASSURED ACROSS “OLD SPECKLED HEN” RANGE] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150206010852/http://www.greeneking.co.uk/index.asp?pageid=40&newsid=47 |date=6 February 2015 }}, greeneking.co.uk, 24 May 2012

Old Hoppy Hen was launched in April 2014 and is a hoppy pale ale, inspired by the US craft beer scene. It is made with pale and crystal malts, as well as rye malt, and Chinook hops.[http://www.thegrocer.co.uk/fmcg/old-hoppy-hen-pale-ale-joins-greene-king-coop/356389.article US craft beer-inspired Old Hoppy Hen pale ale joins Greene King coop], The Grocer, 14 April 2014

Brewed with Pale and Crystal malts alongside Challenger, First Gold and Goldings hops, Old Speckled Hen Low Alcohol attempts to evoke the tastes and aromas of the original Old Speckled Hen but with low ABV.[https://www.oldspeckledhen.co.uk/our-beers/low-alcohol-old-speckled-hen/], oldspeckledhen.co.uk, 22 June 2020

The gluten free beer is brewed with its usual quality ingredients and to its normal recipe, with the reduction in gluten content achieved through an innovation in the brewing process. A bespoke product stream ensures the beers remain segregated and guarantees that they can be designated as gluten free.[https://www.oldspeckledhen.co.uk/our-beers/old-speckled-hen-gluten-free/], oldspeckledhen.co.uk, 1 June 2023

The latest addition to Greene King's range of Hen beers, this limited edition ale is bottle conditioned and brewed with malt, hops, pure water and yeast. The tastes and aromas of this beer is full-bodied and warming, with masses of characteristic toffee and fruit, notes of citrus and orange, and a traditional English hop bitterness.

The ABV content in this beer is 7%, the highest in Greene King's range of Hen beers.{{cite web|url=https://www.oldspeckledhen.co.uk/our-beers/old-master-hen/ |title=Old Master Hen |date= |access-date=1 June 2023}}

In April 2024 Old Session Hen with an ABV of 3.4% was introduced.{{cite news |last=Briggs |first=Fiona |date=22 April 2024 |title=April showers of flavour: Old Speckled Hen launches delicious new ale |url=https://retailtimes.co.uk/april-showers-of-flavour-old-speckled-hen-launches-delicious-new-ale/ |work=Retail Times |access-date=18 December 2024}}

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• {{official website|http://www.oldspeckledhen.co.uk/}}

Category:Beer brands of the United Kingdom

Category:MG Motor

Category:1979 introductions