Ecotour Cervecero -Beer Ecotour

This Ecotour Cervecero – Beer Ecotour is a new, sustainable ecotourism experience unique in Spain.

Throughout this fascinating journey, we will have the opportunity to discover how Galicia’s most iconic beer originates in one of the region’s natural areas with the greatest biodiversity. It is a day in which we will combine nature, gastronomy, beer culture, and plenty of fun in an environmentally sustainable way.

Organized by MEGA, Museo de Estrella Galicia, in collaboration with the Reserva de Biosfera Mariñas Coruñesas e Terras do Mandeo, this Beer Ecotour offers a day to learn about hop cultivation in the north of the province of A Coruña. It also allows participants to discover one of the best-kept secrets of Estrella Galicia beers: the origin of the water used in their production, from the Embalse de Cecebre. Raw materials are what give this beer its unique flavor and character, and during this Beer Ecotour we will understand why.

But this experience is not only about discovery; it is also about gastronomic enjoyment. At lunchtime, we will be able to taste a Biosphere Menu prepared with local, seasonal, and nearby products, paired with Estrella Galicia beers.

The day will conclude at MEGA, Museo de Estrella Galicia, a space of more than 2,500 m² with interactive resources where you can discover everything and more about beer culture.

In small groups of up to 16 people, we will learn the secrets of both the production and tasting of Estrella Galicia beers on this Beer Ecotour through the Biosphere Reserve “Mariñas Coruñesas e Terras do Mandeo”.

Biosphere Reserve Mariñas Coruñesas e Terras do Mandeo

In May 2013, the territory managed by the Mariñas-Betanzos Association was declared a Biosphere Reserve “Mariñas Coruñesas e Terras do Mandeo” within the framework of the UNESCO MaB Programme.

The Biosphere Reserve “Mariñas Coruñesas e Terras do Mandeo” is located in northwestern Galicia and covers an area of 1,140 km². It includes the municipalities of Abegondo, Aranga, Arteixo, Bergondo, Betanzos, Cambre, Carral, Coirós, Culleredo, Curtis, Irixoa, Miño, Oleiros, Oza-Cesuras, Paderne, Sada, and Sobrado.

This designation recognizes the territory as a place for experimenting with innovative practices to reconcile human activity with environmental conservation. It opens up new opportunities to promote sustainability and create employment in rural areas, addressing challenges such as reducing biodiversity loss and balancing ecological, social, and economic aspects.

The Biosphere Reserve is the managing entity of the Tourist Geo-destination “A Coruña and As Mariñas” and also holds the distinction of Tourist Quality Destination (SICTED).

In addition, in 2020 it was recognized as the first destination in Galicia certified in Ecotourism through the State Ecotourism Club.

Cecebre Reservoir

Many of us, upon hearing the name Cecebre, think of Fendetestas, the beloved character created by the novelist Wenceslao Fernández Flórez in his novel The Enchanted Forest. Indeed, this is exactly where the story takes place. In fact, on the way to the reservoir we will pass by the writer’s house.

Beyond fiction, the Cecebre Reservoir is of great importance, as it was built to supply water to the city of A Coruña. It is a UNESCO Protected Area and part of the Biosphere Reserve and the Natura 2000 Network. A privileged location for birdwatching, it is a stopover site for migratory birds.

The water from Cecebre is of very high quality for human consumption, and this quality is closely linked to the exceptional ecological condition of the surrounding environment.

Hop Plantation

At the Borreiros Estate, owned by COSECHA DE GALICIA SL (Hijos de Rivera), we will learn in detail about all the processes involved in hop planting and cultivation.

Hops are a climbing plant whose flowers (cones), once dried, are mainly marketed to flavor beer and provide bitterness. They require a climate with frequent rainfall to achieve high yields and a good contribution of bitter elements. They also need sunlight to develop aromatic components. Part of Galicia has an ideal climate for hop production and cultivation.

In 1915, the first experimental hop plantations in Galicia began, pioneers in Spain, with great success in the A Coruña region of As Mariñas. This development was carried out with the close collaboration of Don José María Rivera Corral, founding owner of Estrella de Galicia.

Hop cultivation intensified throughout the 20th century in this and other regions of Spain. However, in Galicia it gradually declined and completely disappeared in the 1980s.

From 2004 onward, Hijos de Rivera promoted the recovery of hop cultivation on the occasion of its centenary, seeking to recall the times when most of the hops used in Estrella Galicia were produced in municipalities in the regions of Eume, Betanzos, and A Coruña.

Lunch with Estrella Galicia Beer Pairing

In the town of Betanzos, we will have lunch at one of its “Biosphere Restaurants,” establishments that meet a series of requirements related to quality and professionalism, facilities and services, good environmental management, and the use of local raw materials. They are also involved in training offered by the Biosphere Reserve and in the continuous improvement of their establishments.

With a menu based on local and seasonal products specially selected for this Beer Ecotour, we will enjoy a pairing experience with Estrella Galicia beers.

MEGA, Estrella Galicia Museum

MEGA, the Estrella Galicia Museum, is the first and only museum space in Spain dedicated to beer culture.

It is a different kind of museum, but also a brewery, as it is located inside the active Estrella Galicia factory in A Coruña.

At MEGA, we will be able to observe, taste, and learn about beer culture, history, brewing processes, raw materials, craftsmanship and know-how, and the journey of the Estrella Galicia brand—truly a paradise for living and feeling a passion for beer.

Groups: minimum 4 people – maximum 16 people

Please check price and availability at: info@rutasmeigas.com

Recommendations and Rules for this Beer Ecotour

• Comfortable footwear and clothing are recommended, as walking will take place along forest trails.

• The Cecebre Reservoir is a protected area; therefore, swimming, water activities, and removing plants, stones, or any natural objects are prohibited.

• On sunny days, the use of sunscreen and head protection (hats, caps, etc.) is recommended.

• On rainy days, appropriate footwear and an umbrella are advised.

• The use of mosquito repellent is recommended for the morning stops.

• The Beer Ecotour experience involves light to moderate physical activity.

• This Beer Ecotour experience is only for people over eighteen years of age.