In Germany, the term “craft beer” has largely disappeared, and the variety of beers associated with it is shrinking. Elsewhere in Europe, the situation is different. In Spain, for example, the major brewing conglomerates continue to invest in independent craft breweries
Estrella Galicia and the craft scene
Hijos de Rivera has invested in the Catalan brewery BdeGust. The brewery was founded in 2019 by Blanca Costa and Luis Bori in Girona, Catalonia. The lineup is diverse, vegan, and organic. It includes lagers, gluten-free witbier with wildflowers and spices, hazy IPA, and pastry stout. The beers are primarily found in the premium segment: in Michelin-starred restaurants and five-star hotels.
Social Business
BdeGust employs people who have little chance of finding work in the regular job market. The bottles are labeled by Fundació Els Joncs, an organization for people with intellectual disabilities. In Girona, where BdeGust is based, the beers are delivered by bicycle. An NGO that works with people in social distress is responsible for this.
Why Estrella Galicia is buying
The group has been expanding its craft portfolio for several years. With Tyris (2024) and Basqueland (2025), it has already secured two Spanish craft breweries, both of which operate under the “Craft Partners” platform. BdeGust is now joining them. According to CEO Francisco Ucha, Hijos de Rivera is providing resources and operational support but allowing the brewery to operate independently. Whether this remains the case in practice usually only becomes clear after a few years.
Hijos de Rivera
The family-owned company is best known for its Estrella Galicia brand. This light lager is sold in more than 80 countries. The premium 1906 line pays homage to the year the company was founded. The dark bock beer 1906 Black Coupage and the light doppelbock 1906 Red Vintage have won multiple awards at the European Beer Star. For the past two years, the group has been emphasizing its sustainability strategy, and BdeGust fits right in.
Photo: BdeGust @ Facebook, Screenshot from June 1, 2026
