Craft Beer Scene Around Songtan (Sinjang), South Korea

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So…you want to hear about the craft beer scene around Songtan (Sinjang)? Songtan, one of the northernmost areas of Pyeongtaek, has plenty of bars, pubs, and restaurants serving regular and craft beers. Therefore, let’s explore the neighborhoods of Songtan and discover craft beer with the Osan Craft Beer Club (you can join us on Facebook).

Craft Beer in Sinjang-dong, Pyeongtaek

The neighborhood directly outside Osan AB’s main gate often called the Songtan Entertainment District, or SED for short. This neighborhood has many, foreigner-friendly bars and restaurants, and almost all of them serve the typical Cass, Hite, Kloud, and common imports such as Heineken, Guinness, and Lost Coast. Even so, if you are looking for the craft beer scene around Songtan (Sinjang), you have a few options.

OCBC Notes: In a small back alley,  Sunny’s BBQ is a small bar with Platinum beers. 

OCBC Notes: Blue Opera located on the main drag of the SED. In fact, they carry a few American craft beers on tap.

OCBC Notes: The Brue, located on the main drag of the SED, is the largest taproom in Songtan, hosting up to 50 taps (although many are not in use as business recovers from COVID). In addition, the Brue actually makes a few of its own fruit-flavored ales, but mostly carries imported beers with several Korean regular and craft taps rounding out the lineup. The Brue has a pool table and a frequent drinker club with T-shirts and free drinks as prizes.

OCBC Notes: One other establishment, although not as large, boasts Songtan’s finest Korean craft beer selection. Wingin’ It Chicken and Beer is a good-sized pub with 14 active taps (with hopefully more opening in the future as there are 26 available).

At the time of this blog, the taps included Gorilla, White Crow, Chillhops, KaBrew, and Magpie; some of Korea’s best craft breweries. Additionally, they also carry some imports and local mass-market beers on tap, as well as a healthy bottle selection largely consisting of quality Belgian beers.

The chicken comes in both tender and wing form, with a tasty array of sauces and side dishes that complement the beer well. They also have vegan tenders for the plant based beer lovers. Also, Wingin’ It has a pool table, dart boards, a poker table, and table soccer.

OCBC Notes: Two venues not normally associated with beer have recently entered the market. Firstly, Concept Kitchen, a small venue near Asia Hotel which is a ghost kitchen for 5 brands (Wingman, Rice Bowl, Mac Daddy’s, Wing Spot, Fortune Cookie) on Shuttle.

OCBC Notes: Also, Cosmic Cat Donuts have well-stocked fridges with a good and rotating selection of Korean craft beers.

Craft beer in Jisan-dong and Seojung-dong, Pyeongtaek

OCBC Notes: Miguang Pub, near Posco Apartments, is a cozy pub that sells beer from a few large Korean craft brewers and boasts a good whisky collection. Specifically, be sure to get a picture with the on-site stuffed kangaroo. The “city hall” area is home to dozens of Korean-style restaurants and bars, primarily offering common Korean beer and soju. Two potential venues exist near Seojung-ri Station but are currently not open due to renovations or COVID.

North of Songtan

The following areas are NOT in Pyeongtaek, but they are nearby. However, these craft beer establishments are perfect destinations as they are reachable for an evening outing or for a day trip. Travel to Osan is best done on the subway. Travel to Dongtan is easiest on the subway and then a cab or on the SRT. Traveling to Suwon is easiest via the subway and a cab.

Craft Beer in Osan City

OCBC Notes: Pub CROW:D is a small pub in the Osaek Market in Osan City. The market is the largest market in Gyeonggi-do and has been in operation for hundreds of years. CROW:D is run by Kkamagui Brewing, with both named after the black crows that are famous in Osan. Comparatively, CROW:D typically sells eight Kkamagui brews and two guest beers. Although the pub is small with only eight tables, the food menu includes a nice charcuterie board, fried chicken, and more.

Craft Beer in Dongtan City

The new city of Dongtan has a few worthwhile stops. The new Lotte Department Store at the Dongtan Train Station is home to the new Tap Public. 

OCBC Notes: Tap Public offers 60 taps of pure joy, 59 being beer and 1 being wine. The beer ranges from Cass and Budweiser up to fine brews from American and Korean craft brewers. This unique pub issues you a wristband that you swipe at the tap when you pour your own beers. Fun times! Since it is near the Lake Como recreation area, you can also find Budnamu Craft and Beer Season. 

OCBC Notes: Budnamu Craft is a fine restaurant run by the Budnamu Brewery, headquartered on the east coast in Gangneung. Indeed, this restaurant has great pizza and other food and offers a good sampling of the brewery’s beer along with unique items like spices, homemade jams and salts, and seasonal baked goods.

OCBC Notes: The Lake Como mall also hosts a Wine and More which carries plenty of beer. Across the street is …

OCBC Notes: Beer Season, a tiki bar offering great food and 10 taps of Korean craft beer. The atmosphere is fun and the staff is super friendly. Get there just before sunset for beautiful views across the lake.

Craft Beer in Suwon

Moving north to Suwon, you can find three breweries, New City, Levee, and Fundamental. 

OCBC Notes: New City is located inside Hwasong Fortress. However, they offer a small menu that can be enjoyed in their beer garden.  

OCBC Notes: Fundamental is a full brewery and brewpub with unique fusion food and delicious beers. Aside from these breweries, Suwon is also fortunate to have good bottle shops and bars including Alleyway Taphouse, Artmonster, Elephant Castle, and Nogoon. 

OCBC Notes: Alleyway Taphouse hosts live music several times a month.

 

OCBC Notes: Artmonster is part of a nationwide chain offering Artmonster beers and more. Also, each store is decorated differently and offers cool, trendy vibes.

OCBC Notes: Elephant Castle boasts perhaps the most well-curated beer menu in Korea. Notably, unique draft beers are rotated weekly, and the two fridges contain plenty of hidden treasures. In addition, most of the beers are imports and come from some of the best breweries in the world.

OCBC Notes: Nogoon’s two stores 1F and 2F in Suwon also offer draft and bottle selections.

OCBC Notes: Levee is currently closed due to COVID, but I hope they will reopen soon. 

How to find all the beer in Korea

In conclusion, this blog is just the tip of the iceberg. Because the craft beer scene around Songtan (Sinjang) and even in just Korea is new, it is growing quickly. There are roughly 200 breweries and at least that many pubs and bottle shops.

The ???? ????? ???? ???? was created to provide a resource to help find these establishments and guide beer lovers to good beer across Korea. Therefore, if you are interested in partaking in this journey, be sure to check us out on Facebook or Instagram.

Further, for more insight into the Pyeongtaek scene, you should visit The Pyeongtaek Craft Beer Society.

Cheers! 

SOUTH OF SEOUL EDITORIAL INFORMATION

Article Information & History

Historical Record

Originally written by Michael Brown, MBA and Founder Osan Craft Beer Club

Originally published December 14, 2021

Article History

December 14, 2021 Originally published Written by Michael Brown, MBA and Founder Osan Craft Beer Club

No formal audit has been recorded for this article under the current South of Seoul editorial process.

Historical article: This article has not yet been formally audited under South of Seoul's current editorial process. It remains available as part of our publishing history and may contain information that has changed since publication.

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