Beer in South Korea: history, traditions and breweries
For a long time two big breweries dominated the market – until a magazine article in 2012 helped spark a craft beer wave.
History
Beer arrived in Korea at the end of the 19th century with traders from Japan and the West. The first brewery opened in Seoul in 1908.
In 1933, during the Japanese colonial period, the two breweries that dominated the market for decades were founded: Chosun Breweries, later Hite, and Showa Kirin, later OB (Oriental Brewery).
In 2012 the British magazine The Economist wrote that brewing was just about the only useful activity at which North Korea beats the South. The article caused an uproar in South Korea – and helped bring about reforms.
In 2014 the laws for small breweries were relaxed. Within a few years the number of breweries rose from around 50 to over 100, especially in Seoul and on Jeju Island.
Traditions and drinking culture
“Chimaek” is hugely popular: fried chicken (“chikin”) with beer (“maekju”). Daegu even has a festival devoted to it.
In bars people like to mix “somaek”, beer with a shot of soju. The toast is “Geonbae!”, and younger people politely turn slightly away from their elders when they drink.
Fun facts
- The 2012 Economist article was titled “Fiery food, boring beer”.
- Only a few big Korean beers are brewed from pure barley malt; most also contain rice or corn.
- The Magpie brewery started in Seoul in 2012 and has brewed on Jeju Island since 2016.
- Every summer thousands of people meet for fried chicken and beer at the Chimaek Festival in Daegu.
Typical beer styles
- Pale lager
- Craft beer of all styles
Beer cities and their stories
Seoul
Korea’s first brewery opened here in 1908. Today districts such as Itaewon and Gyeongnidan have many craft breweries and taprooms.
Daegu
Every summer the city celebrates the Chimaek Festival with fried chicken and beer.
Jeju
Magpie has brewed on this volcanic island in the south since 2016; the island also has craft beers of its own.
Breweries and their stories
OB (Oriental Brewery)
Founded in 1933 as Showa Kirin. Its best-selling beer is Cass; today the brewery belongs to AB InBev.
Known for: Cass, OB Lager
Hite
Founded in 1933 as Chosun Breweries. In 1993 it launched Hite lager and renamed itself after it in 1998.
Known for: Hite, Terra
Magpie Brewing
One of South Korea’s first craft breweries. Founded in Seoul, it has brewed on Jeju since 2016.
Known for: Magpie Pale Ale
The Booth
Started in 2013 as a small bar in Gyeongnidan and became one of the country’s best-known craft breweries.
Timeline
- 1908Seoul
Korea’s first brewery opens in Seoul.
- 1933Seoul
The forerunners of Hite and OB are founded. They dominate the market for decades.
- 2012Seoul
The Economist writes that North Korea brews better beer than the South. In the same year Magpie starts brewing in Seoul.
- 2013Daegu
Daegu celebrates its first Chimaek Festival with fried chicken and beer.
- 2014whole country
New laws make things easier for small breweries. Within a few years their number rises to over 100.
- 2016Jeju
Magpie moves its brewing to the volcanic island of Jeju.