Morland Old Speckled Hen English Pale Ale Beer 50 cl 4.8%

In 1979, a paint-splattered old MG car sat parked outside the spray shop at the factory in Abingdon. Workers called it "the owld speckled 'un" — and when Morland needed a name for the beer they'd brewed to mark the factory's 50th anniversary, the story wrote itself.

Expert's Take on Morland Old Speckled Hen English Pale Ale

Morland Old Speckled Hen is an English pale ale built on pale and crystal malt, giving it a deep amber colour and a caramel-sweet backbone. The hops are a blend of Challenger, Pilgrim, First Gold and Goldings, keeping the sweetness in check with a mild, earthy bitterness. What really sets the beer apart is the yeast — a specific strain Morland has used since 1896, responsible for the beer's signature dry finish.

The beer was first brewed in 1979 by Morland Brewery in Abingdon-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, as a one-off to mark the anniversary of the MG car factory. It proved too popular to disappear again. Today Old Speckled Hen is brewed by Greene King in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, after Greene King acquired Morland in 2000 — but the recipe and the name have carried on unchanged.

Tasting Notes

Aroma

Soft caramel and lightly toasted malt lead the nose, backed by a clear fruitiness — think dried apricot with a whisper of orange peel sitting over the malty base.

Taste

Round and malty, with toffee and gentle sweetness up front, balanced by a mild, herbal hop bitterness. There's also a hint of bread crust and toasted grain.

Finish

Surprisingly dry thanks to Morland's signature yeast strain — a pleasant, lightly bitter finish that never turns cloying.

Specifications

Name: Morland Old Speckled Hen English Pale Ale
Brewery: Morland
Country/Region: England
Beer Style: English Pale Ale
ABV: 4.8%
Size: 50 CL
Malt: Pale and Crystal malt
Hops: Challenger, Pilgrim, First Gold and Goldings
Fermentation: Top-fermented
Allergens: Contains malted barley (gluten)
Shelf life: See best-before date on the neck
EAN no.: 5010549016719
Serving suggestion: Serve at 10-12°C in a pint glass, ideally with English pub food such as shepherd's pie, sausages, pies or cheddar

Flavour Profile

Malty · Caramel · Fruity · Lightly Hopped · Dry Finish

Did You Know?

Morland's yeast strain for Old Speckled Hen dates all the way back to 1896 — the very same strain is still responsible for the beer's characteristic dry finish over a century later.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Morland Old Speckled Hen

What does Old Speckled Hen taste like?

It's a round, malty English pale ale with toffee, caramel and a hint of dried fruit, finishing surprisingly dry. The sweetness never turns cloying because the hops keep it in check.

Is Old Speckled Hen worth it?

Yes — it's one of the most respected English ales around, brewed since 1979 to a recipe that hasn't meaningfully changed. Its quality and long track record make it a safe bet whether you know the style already or not.

How old is Old Speckled Hen?

The beer was first brewed in 1979 to mark the 50th anniversary of the MG car factory in Abingdon. That makes it one of the longest-running English ales still in regular production.

What temperature should Old Speckled Hen be served at?

10-12°C is the sweet spot — any colder and you'll lose much of the caramel and fruit character on the nose.

What glass suits Old Speckled Hen best?

A standard pint glass works well and lets the head develop naturally, so you get both the aroma and the look of the beer.

What food pairs well with Old Speckled Hen?

Classic English pub food like shepherd's pie, sausages, pies and cheddar. The malty sweetness also works well with roasted meats and rich sauces.

Why is it called Old Speckled Hen?

The name comes from an old, paint-splattered MG car parked outside the factory's spray shop, nicknamed "the owld speckled 'un" by workers. When Morland needed a name for their anniversary brew, the story was the obvious choice.

Who brews Old Speckled Hen today?

It's brewed today by Greene King in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, after they acquired the Morland brewery in 2000. Morland's original recipe and yeast strain have been kept unchanged.

How long does Old Speckled Hen keep?

As a regular stock item, the shelf life is printed on the neck of the bottle — it's not a batch or vintage release, so there's no need to worry about variation between bottles.

Does Old Speckled Hen make a good gift?

Yes, it's a solid choice for anyone curious about classic English ale tradition, without being too experimental or expensive.