News

Classic British sports car up for grabs as “Old Speckled Hen” celebrates 50 years of the MGB

25 September, 2012

Plans to give away a classic MGB sports car have been revealed by Britain’s number one premium ale brand[1] as it looks to celebrate its unique brand history with MG.

The fantastic first prize is up for grabs to those who seek out something different and enter a competition being launched by “Old Speckled Hen” to celebrate 50 years of the MG car company’s iconic MGB model.

The competition, which will also see consumers win one of 1,000 limited edition “Old Speckled Hen” Corgi collectors die-cast models as runners up prizes, is being supported by social media,  including an interactive Twitter account hosted by the brand’s most erudite advocate, “Old Speckled Henry”, who can be followed @speckledhenry.

Followers who want to win the quintessential racy little number will be directed to a dedicated competition page on the “Old Speckled Hen” website, where they simply need to enter their details.

Dom South, Marketing Director Greene King Brewing and Brands, said: “Starting life as a commemorative beer to mark the 50^th anniversary of the MG car factory in Abingdon, “Old Speckled Hen” took its distinctive name from an old canvas-covered MG used by employees as the factory run-around.

“Often parked outside the factory paint shop and consequently splattered with flecks of paint, this unique little motor was lovingly nicknamed the “Owld Speckled ‘Un”. It   provided the perfect inspiration for the name of the new beer and a national treasure was born!

"We are extremely proud of our heritage, so giving away a classic MGB is a fantastic way of saying thank you to our customers, while celebrating our own history in the year of the MGB’s 50^th anniversary.”

An “Old Speckled Hen” branded MGB car has given more than 200,000 people a taste of what they can win at various high-profile events, including Goodwood Revival (14-16 September).

The competition will be promoted in more than 2,000 pubs across the country and via neck collars on limited-edition commemorative “Old Speckled Hen” bottles which will be available in supermarkets.

For more information or to enter the competition visit www.oldspeckledhen.co.uk/competition

Press information

Please contact Harriet Thorpe or Mark Sowersby at Tribe PR on 01603 417722 or harriet@tribepr.com  mark@tribepr.com, or Jo Kreckler at Greene King on 07974 132635 or joannakreckler@greeneking.co.uk

Notes to editors

• Greene King is the country’s leading brewer and pub retailer with a heritage of brewing beer and running pubs which can be traced back over 200 years.
• “Old Speckled Hen” is brewed in Bury St Edmunds by Greene King Brewing and Brands
• “Old Speckled Hen” is the GB’s number one premium ale brand (On and off trade combined, CGA Brand Index 12.5.12 and Nielsen Scantrack Grocery Mults 23.6.12)
• “Old Speckled Hen” is available in 500ml or 355ml bottles and 500ml cans at 5.2% ABV. It is also available in cask and smooth in keg at 4.5% ABV.
• The “Old Speckled Hen” family also includes vintage ale, “Old Crafty Hen” at 6.5% ABV and “Old Golden Hen” at 4.1% ABV