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[[Beer]] was introduced into [[Korean Empire|Korea]] in early 20th century. [[Seoul]]'s first [[beer]] brewery opened in 1908.<ref>http://books.google.com/books?id=mbY4EKG54eUC&pg=PA114&dq=korean+beer+1908&hl=en&sa=X&ei=btkBUfOPK-qs0AHypIC4Bg&ved=0CDIQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=korean%20beer%201908&f=false</ref> Both current major breweries date from the 1920s. The third participant, Jinro Coors Brewery, was founded in the 1990s, but was later acquired by Oriental Breweries (OB).
[[Beer]] was introduced into [[Korean Empire|Korea]] in early 20th century. [[Seoul]]'s first [[beer]] brewery opened in 1908.<ref>http://books.google.com/books?id=mbY4EKG54eUC&pg=PA114&dq=korean+beer+1908&hl=en&sa=X&ei=btkBUfOPK-qs0AHypIC4Bg&ved=0CDIQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=korean%20beer%201908&f=false</ref> Both current major breweries date from the 1920s. The third participant, Jinro Coors Brewery, was founded in the 1990s, but was later acquired by Oriental Breweries (OB)<ref>{{cite web |title=Interbrew and Oriental Brewery signed the final agreement to purchase Jinro Coors in South-Korea |date=November 4, 1999 |url=http://www.ab-inbev.com/go/media/global_press_releases/press_release.cfm?theID=283&theLang=EN |publisher=Anheuser-Busch InBev}}</ref>.


The contemporary South Korean beer market is currently dominated by two major companies, [[Hite|Hite-Jinro]], and [[Oriental Brewery|OB]], and which each sell several brands on the local market. Most restaurants and bars will only have one of these beers on tap, as they are largely regarded as similar in taste and price (they are mostly brewed from rice). Foreign beers are available but are generally expensive - usually at least [[South Korean won|₩]]8,000 and as much as ₩15,000 for a pint of [[Guinness]] in bars in downtown [[Seoul]], while local brands usually cost around ₩3,000. Recently, [[Microbrewery|microbreweries]] have begun to appear, and this area of the market is showing increasing signs of sophistication. Of all Korea's mass-produced beers, only two are brewed from 100% barley malt: Max (Hite) and OB Golden Lager.
The contemporary South Korean beer market is currently dominated by two major companies, [[Hite|Hite-Jinro]], and [[Oriental Brewery|OB]], and which each sell several brands on the local market. Most restaurants and bars will only have one of these beers on tap, as they are largely regarded as similar in taste and price (they are mostly brewed from rice). Foreign beers are available but are generally expensive - usually at least [[South Korean won|₩]]8,000 and as much as ₩15,000 for a pint of [[Guinness]] in bars in downtown [[Seoul]], while local brands usually cost around ₩3,000. Recently, [[Microbrewery|microbreweries]] have begun to appear, and this area of the market is showing increasing signs of sophistication. Of all Korea's mass-produced beers, only two are brewed from 100% barley malt: Max (Hite) and OB Golden Lager.

Revision as of 14:06, 15 May 2014

Beer in South Korea
South Korean beer on display for sale in July 2008
Korean name
Hangul
맥주
Hanja
Revised Romanizationmaekju
McCune–Reischauermaekchu

Beer was introduced into Korea in early 20th century. Seoul's first beer brewery opened in 1908.[1] Both current major breweries date from the 1920s. The third participant, Jinro Coors Brewery, was founded in the 1990s, but was later acquired by Oriental Breweries (OB)[2].

The contemporary South Korean beer market is currently dominated by two major companies, Hite-Jinro, and OB, and which each sell several brands on the local market. Most restaurants and bars will only have one of these beers on tap, as they are largely regarded as similar in taste and price (they are mostly brewed from rice). Foreign beers are available but are generally expensive - usually at least ₩8,000 and as much as ₩15,000 for a pint of Guinness in bars in downtown Seoul, while local brands usually cost around ₩3,000. Recently, microbreweries have begun to appear, and this area of the market is showing increasing signs of sophistication. Of all Korea's mass-produced beers, only two are brewed from 100% barley malt: Max (Hite) and OB Golden Lager.

The lack of microbreweries in the South Korean market has been due to onerous governmental regulations that have constrained small-size brewers to supplying beer to premises that they actually own. These laws were relaxed in June 2011, allowing several small players a toehold in the local market. The micro brewery growing up slowly in Seoul. Furthermore, the South Korean government has revised alcohol laws to adapt to changing circumstances.[3]

A growing trend in South Korea to overcome the local shortfall of various beer styles is home brewing. While ingredients and supplies are still relatively limited, there are many who brew their own beer. Various brewing clubs exist to help guide newcomers through the baby steps of brewing in South Korea, one such club being Homebrew Korea.[4] The online community is a meeting place for all type of brewers to gather and share experiences and information related to beer and brewing in South Korea.

Domestic brands

Former products

  • OB, OB Lager, OB Blue : Predecessors of OB Golden Lager
  • OB Super Dry
  • Crown, Crown Super Dry : Hite(formerly Chosun Brewery)'s main product until early 1990s
  • Hite Prime : Succeeded by Max
  • Hite Exfeel : Succeeded by S

Statistics

Beer Supplied in Korea (2011)[5]
Local Products Imported Products Total
Value
Billion won (KRW)		 3,800
(93.8%)		 250
(6.2%)		 4,049
Volume
(Kiloliter)		 1,738,759
(96.7%)		 58,993
(3.3%)		 1,797,752
Imports of Beer in Korea (2012)[5]
Country Value
(Million dollar)		 Share (%)
Japan 26.4 n/a
Netherlands 9.9 n/a
United States 6.5 n/a
Ireland 6.5 n/a
China n/a n/a
Germany 5.8 n/a
Mexico n/a n/a
Belgium 2.1 n/a

Criticism

The Economist magazine wrote an article criticizing South Korean beers as boring and worse than North's Taedonggang Beer, which is made with equipment imported from Britain. The magazine claimed "some South Korean beers skimp on barley malt, using the likes of rice in its place or others are full of corn." It said the problem was caused by the fact that the national market is a cramped duopoly, Hite-Jinro and Oriental Brewery (OB), and as a result, microbreweries are prevented from entering the market.[6] South Korean beer companies denied the allegations, saying "Most (South) Korean beers contain more than 70 percent malt, and some including Hite Max of Hite and OB Golden Lager of OB contain 100 percent malt. Rice and corn are not cheaper than malt, and these grains are used in the mixture to generate a mild taste." Despite the angry reactions from the South Korean breweries, many South Korea beer drinkers complain about the taste of domestic beer.[7]

See also

References

  1. ^ http://books.google.com/books?id=mbY4EKG54eUC&pg=PA114&dq=korean+beer+1908&hl=en&sa=X&ei=btkBUfOPK-qs0AHypIC4Bg&ved=0CDIQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=korean%20beer%201908&f=false
  2. ^ "Interbrew and Oriental Brewery signed the final agreement to purchase Jinro Coors in South-Korea". Anheuser-Busch InBev. November 4, 1999.
  3. ^ http://news.kbs.co.kr/news/NewsView.do?SEARCH_NEWS_CODE=2709490&ref=H
  4. ^ http://www.homebrewkorea.com/
  5. ^ a b "Beer, Korea - Republic of". U.S. Agricultural Trade Office, USDA Foreign Agriculture Service. February 7, 2013. GAIN Report Number:KS1312
  6. ^ "Brewing in South Korea: Fiery food, boring beer, A dull duopoly crushes microbrewers". The Economist. November 24, 2012.
  7. ^ "Criticism of S.Korean beer". The Dong-a Ilbo. November 29, 2012.
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