Hijos de Rivera began as a brewery in A Coruña. Now you have just bought the best gin in the world
Children of Rivera, the owner of Estrella Galicia, has bought the Galician distillery Vánagandrproducer of London Dry gin, which was recognized as the best in the world in 2024 and double gold at the International Spirits Challenge 2025. The operation, the amount of which has not been revealed, marks a new chapter in the transformation of a Coruña brewery into a group that has gone much further with premium beverages. Why is it important. The purchase responds to a very clear strategy: prioritizing quality over volume in a market where traditional consumption is falling. Sales of this type of beverage fell by 3.7% in 2024, with young people drinking less and less. But those who have not reduced consumption are now looking for superior products. Hijos de Rivera has identified that niche and is occupying it. The facts. Vánagandr was founded in 2014 in Cambre, a few kilometers from the Hijos de Rivera headquarters. In a decade, this craft distillery has accumulated more than 40 international awards. Its master distiller, Enrique Pena, is the only Spanish member of the Gin Guildan organization that promotes excellence in gin. The brand manufactures just 8,000 bottles annually, a volume that is expected to grow significantly under the umbrella of the Galician group. The context. This is not an isolated bet. Hijos de Rivera has been expanding beyond its beer core for years: October 2023: purchases Soul K, specialized in kombucha. March 2025: acquires Basqueland Brewing, a Basque craft beer. Tyris, a Valencian craft brewer, has also incorporated. Its Cabreiroá water brand sold 237 million liters in 2024, 3% more. The spirits catalog already included F de Formentera, Hijos de Rivera and Quenza liqueurs, and the distribution of Arehucas and Destiny Spirits rums. Between the lines. The strategy follows a clear pattern: the pursuit of brands with artisanal identity, international prestige and limited production. They do not buy to mass produce, but to preserve the essence that made those brands valuable. It is the same approach that has made Estrella Galicia a benchmark compared to larger industrial breweries. In this strategy, the challenge is to maintain that balance. Grow without losing the artisanal character, produce more without having to industrialize, distribute better without commercializing. And now what. Enrique Pena will continue as master distiller within Hijos de Rivera, which is a sign of continuity. Its connection to the Gin Guild gives the group international credibility. This purchase goes beyond the commercial transaction: the Galician group is buying knowledge, reputation and access to a premium segment in full expansion… while the market mainstream continues to contract. In Xataka | The great cane crisis: how Spain is leaving aside its favorite measure to drink beer Featured image | Rivera’s children
