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※ The actual region of the content is selected.Brewpubs refers to pubs that serve beer brewed on the premises. Did you know that there are 19 brewpubs in Seoul? Brewpubs are different from tap houses that sell craft beer supplied by different brands. The recent revision of alcoholic beverage laws has opened a new era of alcohol consumption where people can choose and purchase from a wide array of craft beer even at convenience stores—but nothing beats the fresh taste of draft beer from brewery tanks. However, as demand for craft beer increases, breweries are moving to other regions for bigger plants. This means that Seoul has now less than 20 places where you can get a fresh taste of craft beer and take photos against the background of brewing tanks. Here is a list of brewpubs in Seoul that produces the most refreshingly delectable beer.
What is most attractive about Seoul Brewery is its location at a secluded area. Renovated from an old house near the Dangilli Power Plant in Hapjeong, the brewery has a quaint atmosphere with an interior design emphasizing dark wood patterns and an outdoor terrace. Seoul Brewery’s craft beer menu, put together by a Canadian head brewer and Korean brewers, is filled with IPAs and porters, as well as seasonal beers flavored with unique ingredients, such as Night Bloom Gose and Irish Coffee Red Ale. The secret to Seoul Brewery's excellent beer is that it always uses the best ingredients without cutting corners. Although it is a relatively new brewery that was established in 2017 and introduced its first beer in March 2018, it is ranked the highest among domestic breweries, receiving over 1,300 evaluations from the beer rating app Untappd. The food menu, put together by professional chefs, includes salads, tacos, burgers, and chicken, making the brewery a perfect place to dine as well. Seoul Brewery in Hannam is more specialized in dining than the main brewery in Hapjeong, and all the chefs are from the Culinary Institute of America, a prestigious culinary school. What’s surprising is that while the menu seems to be Western-influenced, it still epitomizes Korean drinking culture by serving snacks, including peanuts and anchovies with red pepper paste to go with the drinks.
Beervana is a combination of "beer" and "nirvana," meaning "beer paradise." The name also connotes Portland, the home of craft beer. Located in an alley of Seoul Art Space Mullae, Beervana was renovated from a former steelworks building. The first floor of the three-story building operates as a brewery, and the second and third floor rooftops serve as pubs for customers to enjoy its fresh beer. If you're worried about which beer to choose at your first visit, look no further than its award-winning beers: Yeongdeung Porter, Savana IPA, and Viva Lager won gold, silver, and bronze medals, respectively, at the 2019 Asia Beer Championship. If you’re feeling a bit frisky and want to try something out of the ordinary, you can try these beer with exotic names, such as Glowing Clouds Pale Ale and Grapefruit Chruuup Sour Ale. If you're still not sure what to choose, you can order their Beervana sampler that allows you to taste a variety of beer at once. The food menu focuses on snacks that go well with beer, such as barbecued pork ribs and grilled pork belly. A brewery tour is available if you make a reservation in advance that includes anywhere from 6 – 20 people; however, availability depends on the brewing schedule.
Mysterlee Brewing Company is located near Gongdeok Station where the Gyeongui Line Forest Park Trail passes through. This brewery, founded by two Korean beer aficionados, is much-loved by locals and nearby office workers. As it offers a wide range of beer, including IPA, pale ale, pilsner, weizen, and stout, it may take a long time for you to go through the entire menu. The two owners who studied and built up their careers in the US showcase new beer of their own style. They also put much care into their food menu, serving fine Italian dishes, such as pizza made with handmade dough and fresh pasta. During lunchtime, from 11:30 am to 2 pm, customers can order three kinds of burgers made with handmade beef patties and Richmond Bakery's buns. The pub, contrary to the popular notion of dark-lit pubs, is well lit with natural sunlight shining through tall glass windows. Although the tables aren't well spaced out, it doesn't feel stuffy inside as the dining hall has a high ceiling.
Owned by a perfect duo of former chef and young, trendy brewer, Indie Beer Factory has become a popular beer pub at Jeongdong-gil in only about two years after its opening. Showcasing a beer lineup based on the identity of Jeongdong-gil, such as Jeongdong IPA and Ihwa Saison, as well as delectable dishes, including pasta, risotto, and sous vide steak, the pub went viral among local office workers. Another pro is that the pub offers set menus of beer and food for parties of two to four persons, relieving customers from their indecisiveness. Indie Beer Factory’s Lunch Beer, served in a 320-ml glass, is a perfect refreshment during a short lunch break. While most breweries have their brewing facilities in separate spaces, Indie Beer Factory very unusually has its brewing tanks on the other side of the pub past the glass walls. Maybe that's why a glass of beer in your hand feels much fresher here. A brewery tour is available with advanced reservation.
Brewery 304, which started as a small brewery in Asan, Chungcheongnam-do, moved to Seoul last July to “communicate” with more people. It settled in the present location, next to Yeongcheon Market near Seodaemun Gate. The brewery was built by remodeling a concrete building from the 1960s over the course of a year from 2018 to 2019. Did you know that Brewery 304 has a separate "tap room" created especially for beer aficionados? The menu features so many experimental beers, including Pluto Blonde Ale, Mint Chocolate Stout, Raspberry Pink Saison, and the recently released Tropical Nepa, that show an adventurous spirit in food pairing. Previously, it served chicken dishes in collaboration with Hyodo Chicken in Nonhyeon-dong, which is famous for its fried chicken with anchovies and shishito peppers. Currently, it serves unique dishes, such as Jjamppongtang (spicy seafood soup) with tomatoes and udon salad in collaboration with the Japanese homemade food restaurant Salon de Ikkoi. Brewery 304’s 304 Studio on the third floor is operated as a “no-purpose space” that is open to any cultural activities, including exhibitions and cultural classes. The space can be rented for six to 15 people, and they can relish beer and food provided by 304 Tap Room in their own private area.
Goose Island, founded in Chicago in 1988, has grown into a beer brand that is favored by beer lovers around the world. In December 2016, Goose Island opened a brew house in the middle of Gangnam, Seoul. The first floor has a brewpub where people can enjoy cold beer casually, and the second floor has an open kitchen and dining space. The rooftop on the third floor is a place where people can enjoy a glass of beer in the city center while enjoying the cool outdoor breeze. As their beer is brewed directly at the brewing facility located inside the brew house, customers can taste the freshest draft beer every day. The beer is also used as an ingredient for various dishes and seasonings. Goose Island's flagship beer Sofie is used for the dough in Sofie Battered Fried Calamari. For an amateur beer drinker, British Pub Ale and Honkers Ale, which have a good balance of hops and malt, are recommended most. 312 Urban Wheat Ale, named after the Chicago area code, is also a good choice. Goose Island’s beer is characterized by a soft taste followed by an aftertaste with a hint of lemon. Spacious enough for up to 200 people, the pub can accommodate a private gathering or even a wedding party.
SteinDorf is a German translation of Seokchon (lit. stone village) Lake in Jamsil, Seoul, so this brewery is also nicknamed "stone village brewery." The brewery adheres to authentic German style beer and still follows the principles of the Reinheitsgebot ("Purity Order"), which was proclaimed by Duke Wilhelm IV of Bavaria in the early 16th century to ban the production of low-quality beer. The brewery uses only four ingredients for producing beer: malt, water, hops and yeast. Its building consists of three stories underground and 6 stories above ground, boasting the largest scale among Korean craft breweries. Its brewing facility, pub, dining area, event rooms and rooftop exist for beer only. At your first visit to the pub, you can’t go wrong trying their stout, pale ale, IPA or weizen. Especially, their stout is popular for a subtle coffee flavor created without any additives. For snacks to accompany your glass of beer, how about some thin-crust pepperoni pizza or haxe, an authentic German pork dish? On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings, you can drink beer while touring the brewery located in the basement.
Amazing Brewing Company, where there is always a long queue of customers on weekends and even weekdays, is the hottest brewpub in Seongsu-dong. It opened in April 2016 jointly by internationally certified Cicerone beer sommelier Tae-kyung Kim and Korean beer contest grand slam winner Steven Park. Right next to the pub is its own brewery. Its signature beer is Cheotsarang (“First Love”), a New England IPA characterized by its heavily dry hopped haze and bittersweet taste, the taste of first love. If you want to taste a typical IPA, Amazing IPA is a better choice. Shocking Stout is a bittersweet dark beer with a fuller body. As the brewpub provides a wide selection of beer, it may take a long time for you to pick one from the menu. More than 30 kinds of beer, including those from other breweries, makes up the menu, with their names filling the wall above the house taps. You can feel the leisurely mood of Seongsu-dong at the outdoor terrace.
Kabrew is a first generation brewery in Korea. With its start in brewing beer in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi-do in 2000, the brewery is Korea's first to produce pale ale. Kabrew Brew Pub opened in 2019 at the current location in Cheongdam-dong. The handle of the front door to the pub is shaped like a gumiho, the nine-tailed legendary fox of Korea. The animal, talented in transformation, symbolizes the spirit of Kabrew to create beer with a variety of taste. Next to the entrance is a brewing facility surrounded by full glass walls. The brewing space occupies 20% of the total space (approx. 330 m²) of the building. The path to the pub is reminiscent of a passage to a secret cave. Stretched vines, tree trunks and mirrors on the ceiling give this space a mysterious mood. In the center of the store is a brewing tank that was used in its formative years. The brewery’s signature beer is Mosaic IPA, which has a refreshing citrus flavor. It can be enjoyed refreshingly by anyone because it doesn't have a bitter taste..
The Hand and Malt Brew Lab is a craft brewery founded in Namyangju in 2014. The owner runs a hop farm in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi-do, to cultivate hops for his beer on his own. The Hand and Malt Brew Lab in Yongsan is a tap room with the concept of a beer laboratory that harmonizes imagination and experimentation. The entire building has a unique structure to send beer produced at the underground brewery directly to the pub on the first floor. It has retro vibes, being renovated from a western-style old house of about 220 m². The building is equipped with various spaces, cozy rooms where customers can enjoy beer alone, a lounge, group rooms, an outdoor terrace on the second floor, as well as large tables for groups. The pub serves a variety of signature beer, including IPA and stout, as well as various Korean fusion dishes. The food menu combines American-style dining with casual Korean food, such as bulgogi, sundae and fried chicken. Brew Lab Sampler is recommended to first-time visitors; the five beer that makes up the sampler change every time. Relatively popular beer and specialty beer are evenly mixed in the sampler!
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