Greene King has entered into a partnership with Hijos de Rivera SAU to become the exclusive distribution partner for the Spanish brewer’s Estrella Galicia and 1906 beers in the UK.
The agreement, which comes into effect this month, covers the Estrella Galicia brand, Estrella Galicia 0.0, its no-alcohol beer, Estrella Galicia Gluten Free, 1906 Reserva Especial, and 1906 Black Coupage. The lagers will be available across the on- and off-trade in keg, bottle and can format.
Hijos de Rivera SAU is the largest independent brewery in Spain, dating back to 1906. From, its historic brewery in A Coruña, it brews 2,790,000 hectolitres a year. Estrella Galicia is the core brand of Hijos de Rivera and widely consumed throughout Spain as the country’s fourth largest beer brand.
Available in both packaged and draught, this beer is made using the signature smooth water from Galicia and is brewed for a minimum of 15 days to ensure its distinct flavour. As Spain’s fastest growing beer brand it is exported to more than 50 countries, with the UK and Brazil the largest markets.
The beer is complemented by a unique dispense font which has been hand-made and hand-painted in the brewery’s home town, giving a real bar standout and reflecting the heritage and quality of the beer.
The 1906 range perfectly complements Estrella Galicia, offering the consumer beers with slightly more complexity and depth. 1906 is the most awarded beer brand in Spain, holding international accreditation from Monde Selection, ITQI, the International Brewery Awards and World Beer Challenge.
‘Steeped in brewing history’
Matt Starbuck, managing director of Greene King Brewing and Brands, said: “Like Greene King, Hijos de Rivera SAU is steeped in brewing history, dating back generations. We share similar values, placing importance on using the very best quality ingredients, producing great beer, and delivering exceptional customer service.
“Hijos de Rivera SAU has a fantastic stable of beers in its brand portfolio and we are thrilled to become the exclusive UK distributor for the Estrella Galicia and 1906 brands, introducing them to whole new customer base.”
Ignacio Rivera, chef executive of Hijos de Rivera, added: “We are delighted to be embarking on a partnership with such a well renowned and prestigious brewer like Greene King, who will be able to offer the UK the quality of service our customers and our brands deserve.
“We believe the fit between the two companies will work perfectly as we grow our brand in such an important and fast-moving market.
“We have a fantastic distribution base, with loyal customers who we are excited to continue developing strong relationships with, as well as introducing our beers to new areas of the market.”
