Scottish & Newcastle plc was a brewing company headquartered in Edinburgh, Scotland, which expanded from its home base to become an international business with beer volumes growing almost tenfold.

[5] In early 2000, S&N expanded outside the UK via a number of acquisitions in Western Europe, growing sales to over 50 Mhl per annum.

[11] In 2004 some radical cost-cutting measures were introduced, particularly within the UK where it was noted by analysts that the cost base was too high.

The company began to use transit points in Chelmsford and Faversham as cheap logistical alternatives to full working depots.

[14] On 17 October 2007, Heineken International and Carlsberg jointly announced that they were considering forming a consortium to bid for, and acquire the total capitalisation of Scottish & Newcastle.

[20] On 25 January 2008, following limited due diligence and discussions with S&N, the consortium announced a formal cash offer for the entire S&N business at £8 per share.

[26][27] The brand was marketed in the 1980s with a series of advertisements featuring a bear, George, with a shiny, yellow jacket and a pork pie hat.

[29][30] Heineken acquired: S&N UK; Beamish and Crawford – ROI; Hartwall – Finland; Alken Maes – Belgium; Central de Cervejas – Portugal; Indian JV with UB; US export business and other venture markets.

[31] Carlsberg acquired: Remaining 50% of Baltic Beverages Holdings; Kronenbourg – France; Mythos (beer) – Greece; Chongqing joint venture in China; Venture markets:- Switzerland; Africa; Hungary; Luxembourg; Indian Ocean; South and Central America and Asia.