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Craft beer in Seoul is cool, the market is hot
Compared to other European countries, the history of beer in Korea is very short. 88 years have passed since the Japanese established the first brewery in 1933, and most of the beers produced in Korea were American Adjunct Lagers that followed the market trend. With the market monopolized by two macro breweries, no effort was invested in developing new flavors and styles as all beers were sold without much trouble. The breweries instead focused on new labels to flush the market.
The need for diversity in beer came with two global events, the Olympics in 1988 and the World Cup in 2002. The Olympics allowed for the relaxation of import regulations on beers, and near the World Cup, the establishment of microbreweries was authorized, marking the birth of a craft beer market in the country. However, the true beginning of the craft beer industry did not arrive until 2014, when the prohibition on the distribution of beers outside the breweries was lifted, allowing for sales to other breweries, pubs, and restaurants.
(Quelle: Korea Craft Brewers Association)Rising number of microbreweries
Since 2015, nearly 80 new microbreweries were established to reach a total of 150 breweries, and the market grew to five times its original size, with a market share of three percent and over 7,4 billion Euro in funds. The Korea Craft Brewers Association estimates that craft beers will take ten percent of the total beer market in the next five years.
The key factor in this rapid growth of the Korean craft beer market is the customers' increased demand for a variety of flavors. Until very recently, the beer drinkers were limited to less than a handful of beers, and those wanting to explore other flavors had no choice but to add other alcoholic beverages to their beers.
Brewpubs are popular meeting places in Korea (Photo: BRAUWELT)Craft beer boom in the US affected Korea
The number of people who had great beers overseas increased, and the younger generation who studied in Europe and the United States started exploring better beers. The craft beer boom in the United States also affected Korea, making way for new legislation allowing microbreweries and the distribution of their beers.
Visitors to Korea will know that Koreans have many banchan (side dishes) along with the main meal. Some regions pursue diversity in flavor by providing more than 20 banchan per meal. Beer, however, was exempt from this diversity until now, when introduction of craft beers has ignited the passion for new flavors in consumers.
In Korea, the market for special beers is just developing; for consumers, they play in the same league as high-quality wine (Photo: BRAUWELT)Familiar with the flavors of fermentation
While the history is short, the craft beer in Korea sees tremendous growth because the population is familiar with the flavors of fermentation and the techniques required to achieve desired profiles.
As a result, many Korean craft breweries are receiving accolades in the European Beer Star, the most prominent beer award in Europe. Below are the brief details of European Beer Stars that can be found in Seoul. We recommend you give them a try when visiting the city.
After all, the passion is blazing in the Korean craft beer market, and its beers served equally cold.
Achieved gold in the top class: the KABREW IPA (Photo: Inki Lee)KABREW
Awarded with Gold at the European Beer Stars 2017 in the category Traditional India Pale Ale: the KABREW India Pale Ale.
Started as a microbrewery in 2000, it took KABREW 17 years to achieve this accolade. It's especially noteworthy that the award was given for the brewery's IPA, the flagship style of craft beers worldwide.
With its main brewery in the vicinity of Seoul, KABREW opened a new brewpub called the Kumiho Beer Cave in Gangnam in 2019, where they serve a variety of beers and fusion-style grubs that complement their pints. If you'd like to experience craft beers in Gangnam-style pubs, we recommend the KABREW Cheongdam.
Craft Root Brewing Co.
The Dongmyeong Port Pale Ale was awarded with a silver European Beer Star in 2019 in the category New-Style Pale Ale.
As many know, Korea is a peninsula surrounded by three seas. Craft Root is a brewery based in Sokcho, a famous tourist town facing the Pacific. Many of its beers are also named after local landmarks. Dongmyung Port, the winner of the 2019 Pale Ale category, is also named after a small port near the city. Before starting production, the Craft Root began as a small pub named Craft Roo.
Craft Roo began in the small town of Ikseondong in the middle of Seoul, where traditional houses of the 1920s are immaculately preserved. The pub began as a modified house and later added T to its name when shifting to a brewery. They have continued to make beautiful beers since.
The entrance to the beer paradise at Beervana leads past stainless steel tanks in which new beer treasures are stored (Photo: Inki Lee)Beervana Brewing Co.
With its YeongdeungPo-rter Beervana Brewing Co. won a European Beer Star in Silver in the category Englisch-Style Porter in 2020.
Born in 2018 and with less than three years of history, the Beervana is a rookie renowned for its fantastic beers. First winning gold in the 2019 Asia Beer Championship with its English Porter, the brewery once again ascertained its prowess by winning silver in the 2020 European Beer Star. What's exceptional is that the silver was won by the brewery's English Porter, a style whose origin is in the very same continent.
An amalgamation of Beer and Nirvana, Beervana is often used as a 'beer paradise' by American beer geeks. The brewery was named in hopes that it would be able to create beer heaven in Seoul. Beervana is located in Yeongdeungpo-gu Mullae-dong, which still embraces the old atmosphere of the 1970s. Mullae is also the once home of the first brewery in Korea, established in 1933. If you want peace of mind along with a pint of beer, head to Beervana.
A poster from craft beer magazine The Beerpost shows the diversity of craft breweries on the Korean Peninsula (Source: The Beerpost)Over 20 breweries in Seoul
There are, of course, more beers that received accolades in the European Beer Star, but the limited space prohibits us from introducing all of them. With over 20 breweries in Seoul, it is highly recommended that you try a craft beer tour when visiting the city. K-pop and K-movies are receiving increasing prominence from fans worldwide. Though the history is short, it is our hope that K-beers will receive adulation from beer geeks all across the globe in the near future.Cheers!
Curious about the Korean craft beer market?
Korea International Beer Expo (KIBEX) – partner of Beviale Family – is takeing place as a hybrid event from May 17-19, 2021 in Seoul and online.
The Beerpost - the Korean craft beer magazine online
