Michael Brown, MBA and Founder Osan Craft Beer Club, Author at South of Seoul https://blog.southofseoul.net/author/osan-craft-beer-club/ Localized Guides for Your Life in Korea Mon, 05 Dec 2022 01:29:13 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.3 https://blog.southofseoul.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/South-of-Seoul-logo-for-header.png Michael Brown, MBA and Founder Osan Craft Beer Club, Author at South of Seoul https://blog.southofseoul.net/author/osan-craft-beer-club/ 32 32 Nomadic Brewing Pop-up SOLD OUT! https://blog.southofseoul.net/nomadic-brewing/ Thu, 10 Nov 2022 06:30:47 +0000 https://blog.southofseoul.net/?p=13318 Michael Brown, MBA and Founder Osan Craft Beer Club

Over 100 people will attend the first co-hosted Craft Beer Pop-up event by the Pyeongtaek Craft Beer Society and Osan Craft Beer Club on November 11, 2022. Let’s take a look at the event and why I’m so excited. Plus, tips on how you can still come to get some Nomadic Beer if you didn’t get a ticket! Nomadic Brewing Interview After Event Update: The event was amazing! Kimchi Rednecks did a lovely interview with the Nomadic at the pop-up event watch it here: The Pop-up Highlights Community Dooley Pet’s Riverrun Café in western Pyeongtaek will host Pyeongtaek’s premiere beer-tasting event. Osan Craft Beer Club, based in Songtan, and Pyeongtaek Craft Beer Society, based at Camp Humphreys, are hosting this event as a fundraiser for Homeward Bound, a no-kill animal shelter on Osan AB.  I am super excited to be a part of this event because it promises to be a great time and the event represents a lot of good things about Pyeongtaek. The Nomadic Brewing Pop-up Saves Animals The first goodness coming from the Nomadic Brewing Pop up will be a direct donation to Homeward Bound. Homeward Bound has been around for 11 years and provides compassionate care to and finding loving homes for the relinquished and unclaimed animals of Osan AB and USAG Humphreys. You can find more information regarding Homeward Bound at their website: https://www.homewardboundosan.org/. They are always in need of volunteers. The Nomadic Brewing Pop-up Has Great Beer The second thing I look forward to is the beer. And this is not ordinary beer. The head brewer from Nomadic Brewing Company, based in Jeonju, will be bringing his finest beers to this event. He hasn’t told us which beers he will bring, but every Nomadic beer I have tasted has been delicious. These beers are very balanced and often have very delicate flavors that are best tasted with the brewer guiding you through the experience. Check out their sites below for more. The Nomadic Brewing Pop-up Brings Us Together Finally, the reason I love craft beer is also the best thing to come from the Nomadic Brewing Pop-Up. The best craft beers are not crafted to make money nor to get us drunk, but rather to provide an excuse to gather on a Friday afternoon, to enable us to meet new people and experience new places and flavors, and to support this thing we call the craft beer community. This community is not a formal thing, but it is the group of independent brewers, their families, the pubs and distributors who choose good beer, and consumers like us. OCBC and PCBS are helping to grow this community here in Pyeongtaek and even across Korea. OCBC and PCBS have introduced craft beers to several bars in Songtan and Anjeong-ri. We have organized day trips and overnight trips to Seoul, Osan, Dongtan, Suwon, Jeonju, Pyeongchang, Gangnueng, Ulsan, and Busan.  We haven’t done this without assistance. The sponsors for this pop-up event have made generous donations and are also tireless supporters of craft beer and the community in Pyeongtaek. Please find them and thank them and support their endeavors too. Where is the Event The event will be held at a new coffee shop, just west of Camp Humphreys. Dooley Pet’s Riverrun Café is nicely situated on the bank of the Anseong River and has easy access to the walking trail along the river. Even if you can’t make it out on the 11th, this is a great place to stop off at during a drive in the country or a bike or stroll along the river. Pets and children are welcome! Do I have to Have a Ticket to Attend? You do not have to have a ticket to come for beers. Tickets allow others to enter the raffle, get discounts on beers, get a free shirt, and discounts on drinks. However, if you don’t have a ticket you can still get beers for regular price and enjoy time with a great group of people. Event Timeline If you don’t have tickets, join us after 15:00! Pop-Up Sponsors 11 Nov Pop-up Event Sponsors (and craft beer community supporters): Follow Osan Craft Beer Club Join Pyeongtaek Craft Beer Society Michael Brown, MBA and Founder Osan Craft Beer ClubMike Brown retired from the Air Force, holds a Master’s in Business Administration, and is a co-founder of the Osan Craft Beer Club. Mr. Brown worked as a Korean language analyst and translator and currently lives with his family in South Korea. As a leader of the Osan Craft Beer Club, Mike Brown brings together casual beer lovers and advanced craft connoisseurs to share knowledge of the craft beer industry in South Korea. Additionally, he works with breweries, distributors, and the community to support and promote the growing craft beer scene across South Korea. www.facebook.com/groups/545864773526672/

The post Nomadic Brewing Pop-up SOLD OUT! appeared first on South of Seoul.

]]>
Nomadic Brewing PSCS Craft Beer Pop-up https://blog.southofseoul.net/nomadic-brewing-pscs-craft-beer-pop-up/ Wed, 02 Nov 2022 01:55:09 +0000 https://blog.southofseoul.net/?p=13096 Michael Brown, MBA and Founder Osan Craft Beer Club

Want to know more about Nomadic Brewing, the featured brewery at Pyeongtaek Craft Beer Society (PCBC) and Osan Craft Beer Club (OCBC) upcoming Pop-up at Riverun Cafe in Pyeongtaek, South Korea? Get to know them in the following blog. Nomadic Brewing Interview After Even Post Update: Kimchi Rednecks interviewed Nomadic Brewing a the Craft Beer Pop-up! Check out the event video here! Nomadic Brewing Pop-up at Riverun Cafe November 11th, 2022 – PCBS adn OCBC will host a Nomadic Brewing pop-up and Fun Run at Riverrun Cafe in Pyeongtaek-si. The ticketed event will benefit the Homeward Bound Osan Animal Shelter. The event will include both a fun run and beer tasting popup at one of Pyeongtaek-si’s epic river view cafes. Purchase tickets for the Craft Beer Pop-up through either PCBC, OCBC, or Cosmic Cat Donuts in Songtan or Paengseong. Thank you to South of Seoul as well as other local businesses such as FedMedi, Shuttle Food Delivery, Tailgate, AWOL, Chicken & Beer Pub, Carrot Mart 2, and Loft33 for their support for the Craft Beer Pop-up and bringing Nomadic Brewing to Pyeongtaek-si. About Nomadic Brewing Nomadic Brewing Co. is an independently owned and operated brewery located in southwestern South Korea in the city of Jeonju.  The brewery’s motto, “Balanced beer, balanced life,” feels evident in all aspects of Nomadic:  they make the beer with local ingredients whenever possible, the food menu includes varied, unique, and healthy options, and the pubs are only open five days a week to allow the staff to recharge. The Founder The owner and head brewer, John, is from arguably the best state in America, Michigan. John formally studied brewing in Chicago, IL, and Munich, Germany, at the World Brewing Academy. His focus on his craft is evident in the high-quality and balanced flavors of his beers. Nomadic typically offers five signature beers and upwards of ten seasonal brews. Nomadic has a very limited distribution area, and it is virtually impossible to find Nomadic beers in Pyeongtaek. Current Nomadic Beers Some of Nomadic’s beers include:  Nomadic Brewery Locations Nomadic’s brewery is in Jeonju along with its two pubs. One pub, the Beer Temple, is collocated with the brewery, while the Beer Garden is conveniently situated in the historic Hanok Village. The Hanok Village is the largest collection of traditional homes in Korea. It is a destination that requires a day or two to experience all that is offered. Guests can even stay in a Hanok room overnight, and many fine restaurants also occupy traditional Hanok structures.  Nomadic Brewing in South of Seoul Blogs Nomadic Brewing has also been mentioned in the following South of Seoul posts. Follow Osan Craft Beer Club Join Pyeongtaek Craft Beer Society Join Pyeongtaek Travelers Michael Brown, MBA and Founder Osan Craft Beer ClubMike Brown retired from the Air Force, holds a Master’s in Business Administration, and is a co-founder of the Osan Craft Beer Club. Mr. Brown worked as a Korean language analyst and translator and currently lives with his family in South Korea. As a leader of the Osan Craft Beer Club, Mike Brown brings together casual beer lovers and advanced craft connoisseurs to share knowledge of the craft beer industry in South Korea. Additionally, he works with breweries, distributors, and the community to support and promote the growing craft beer scene across South Korea. www.facebook.com/groups/545864773526672/

The post Nomadic Brewing PSCS Craft Beer Pop-up appeared first on South of Seoul.

]]>
Pumpkin Craft Beer in South Korea https://blog.southofseoul.net/pumpkin-beer/ Wed, 26 Oct 2022 01:47:01 +0000 https://blog.southofseoul.net/?p=12988 Michael Brown, MBA and Founder Osan Craft Beer Club

Each year we get many requests for pumpkin beer options around the time the weather starts to chill. Here are a few beers to try in 2022. About Pumpkin Beer in South Korea Pumpkin pie is a very traditional North American dessert but can be hard to find here in Korea. But in Korea’s beer scene, several breweries are offering pumpkin beer. Supplies will be limited. When Do Breweries Have Pumpkin Beer? Each year, these small-batch pumpkin beers start hitting pubs around mid-October but this may change each year. Start checking brewery announcements around the first or second week of October. Alecrew – Jolla Pumpkin A brewery in Seoul but this beer is available in Songtan at Concept Kitchen Budnamu 2022 Halloween Pumpkin Ale Budnamu brewery in Gangneung with a pub in Dongtan Beervana Pumpkin Pie Amber Ale Beervana has a pub in Seoul – this beer tastes exactly like a pumpkin pie XS Pumpkin Ale A brew pub in Incheon I am sure there are more out there. Please post if you find pumpkin beer. Best Korean Craft Beer Spots for Fall Looking for more than Pumpkin Beer? Want to know the best breweries for fall enjoying the fall colors in South Korea? Then read our post Best Korean Craft Beer Spots for Fall and enjoy brews and leaves in the best places. Follow Us On Facebook Follow Osan Craft Beer Club or The Pyeongtaek Craft Beer Society for more news about beer in Pyeongtaek. Who are we? We are craft beer lovers who live and work in South Korea. You can learn more about craft beer in Korea by joining or following us on Facebook or Instagram. Learn more below! Osan Craft Beer Club A social group at and near Osan AB. OCBC tries to meet weekly and loves exploring local and distant beer destinations. Follow the OSBC Instagram Pyeongtaek Craft Beer Society A social group in Pyeongtaek and near USAG Humphreys. PCBS loves to sample local and import beers and post descriptive descriptions of these beers. Michael Brown, MBA and Founder Osan Craft Beer ClubMike Brown retired from the Air Force, holds a Master’s in Business Administration, and is a co-founder of the Osan Craft Beer Club. Mr. Brown worked as a Korean language analyst and translator and currently lives with his family in South Korea. As a leader of the Osan Craft Beer Club, Mike Brown brings together casual beer lovers and advanced craft connoisseurs to share knowledge of the craft beer industry in South Korea. Additionally, he works with breweries, distributors, and the community to support and promote the growing craft beer scene across South Korea. www.facebook.com/groups/545864773526672/

The post Pumpkin Craft Beer in South Korea appeared first on South of Seoul.

]]>
Osan Craft Beer Festival 2022 Recap https://blog.southofseoul.net/osan-craft-beer-festival-2022-recap/ Mon, 24 Oct 2022 02:00:25 +0000 https://blog.southofseoul.net/?p=12915 Michael Brown, MBA and Founder Osan Craft Beer Club

Finally! Finally, I think I am rested and recovered from the epic weekend that was the Osan Night Beer Festival (야맥주축제) also known as the Osan Craft Beer Festival. The Experience I was fortunate enough to be able to visit the festival on all three days. Friday, I hung out with friends, drank a lot of beer, and then chilled with a few brewers into the wee hours of the morning. Saturday, I explored more of the festival, helped White Crow pour beer, and had dinner with an unexpected guest. Sunday, more pouring beer with White Crow, packing up, and then chilling over lamb and soju with more brewers. The Beer The beers…wow…so many of them! Many were good, while a few were either unique or delicious. The most unique and tasty beer was the Pumpkin Pie Amber Ale from Beervana. It tasted just like a pumpkin pie. The Pumpkin Ale from X/S was also good, but in a more traditional beer fashion. The gose from Andong was really good, as was the black lime beer from The Ranch. All four of White Crows beers, the kiwi wheat (and I hate wheats), tropical sour, DIPA, and buckwheat/coffee/maple porter were top shelf. The Brewers Hanging with the brewers and experiencing the intimate community they have created was a ton of fun. Thank you to the brewers: White Crow, Kkamakui, The Ranch, The Whot, Suncheon, and Chillhops. I will relish these memories. But even more fun was sharing beers with customers…guiding them through selecting a beer, seeing their reaction, and then persuading them to try another was a very rewarding experience. The Social Buzz You can learn even more about this amazing festival by checking out some of the great coverage on local social media accounts in the Osan and Pyeongtaek areas. Stay Tuned for the Next Osan Craft Beer Festival The next Osan Craft Beer Festival should be in May. Stay tuned to Osan Craft Beer Club and The Pyeongtaek Craft Beer Society for updates. I hope to see you there! Who are we? We are craft beer lovers who live and work in South Korea. You can learn more about craft beer in Korea by joining or following us on Facebook or Instagram. Learn more below! You can find more Osan Craft Beer Club articles on the South of Seoul blog. Osan Craft Beer Club A social group at and near Osan AB. OCBC tries to meet weekly and loves exploring local and distant beer destinations. Follow the OSBC Instagram Michael Brown, MBA and Founder Osan Craft Beer ClubMike Brown retired from the Air Force, holds a Master’s in Business Administration, and is a co-founder of the Osan Craft Beer Club. Mr. Brown worked as a Korean language analyst and translator and currently lives with his family in South Korea. As a leader of the Osan Craft Beer Club, Mike Brown brings together casual beer lovers and advanced craft connoisseurs to share knowledge of the craft beer industry in South Korea. Additionally, he works with breweries, distributors, and the community to support and promote the growing craft beer scene across South Korea. www.facebook.com/groups/545864773526672/

The post Osan Craft Beer Festival 2022 Recap appeared first on South of Seoul.

]]>
Best Korean Craft Beer Spots for Fall https://blog.southofseoul.net/korean-craft-beer-fall/ Tue, 13 Sep 2022 03:29:19 +0000 https://blog.southofseoul.net/?p=12108 Michael Brown, MBA and Founder Osan Craft Beer Club

Enjoy the fall locations for Korean craft beer. In this post, we share the best places for fall colors and cool brews. Autumn in South Korea Autumn is the best season in Korea. The season is marked by pleasant weather with high clouds and low pollution. The rice fields and other crops will be harvested, and families will celebrate Chuseok. Then the trees will begin to change color. Gingko trees will drop their pungent fruit and then turn a bright yellow. Maples will follow with colors ranging from orange to red. Oaks and chestnuts will also drop their nuts and leaves. Before we know it, only the pine trees will remain in color, which means winter and snow are right around the corner. Korean Fall Craft Beers Spots What is a beer lover supposed to do in autumn in Korea? Where should one go to enjoy the season and some tasty brews? Osan Craft Beer Club (OCBC) and Pyeongtaek Craft Beer Society (PCBS) have compiled a few suggestions. Please add any of your own suggestions to this post and be sure to check out both of our groups on Facebook and Instagram. Links are provided later. Let’s start in the north since fall colors will begin to appear north of Seoul and in Gangwon-do in mid-September. After that, we will work our way South. That’s right, this blog includes locations across South Korea and not only Seoul or Busan. Please note leaf color dates are estimates…we are all patiently waiting for the leaf people to release this year’s fall color schedule. Each year a new fall foliage map gets released and you will want to cross-reference the dates in this post with the estimated dates based on current weather. In addition to sharing what craft beer locations to visit in the fall, we will also mention nearby attractions so that you can mix and match your travel plans with your craft beer plans. Sokcho, Gangwon-do This is the premier spot for autumn hiking and color exploration, but it is also the first area to change colors and is extremely busy, especially on weekends. Follow the Craftroot Instagram Follow the Mont Beer Instagram Pyeongchang, Gangwon-do The White Crow brewery is, in my opinion, one of the best breweries in the country and is situated in a beautiful valley, surrounded by trees and farmland. It is quiet and has wide open spaces for kids, adults, and pets to frolic. And the beer is outstanding. Be sure to try the fall version of Freebird and the new Chillhops collab. Follow the White Crow Brewing Instagram Gapyeong-si, Gyeonggi-do This location is the closest to Seoul and is home to several small attractions and one large brewery. Follow the Kraemer Lee Instagram Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do This destination will scratch your history itch for fall colors, history, and amazing craft beer. Gyeongju is home to many historic structures, tombs, and museums. It is also nestled between some mountains and has excellent, open views. Follow the Whasoo Brewery Instagram Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do This southernmost destination will start its colors later but will have the most gingko trees. Be sure to explore the Hanok Village. Do it while wearing rented hanbok for a fun day. Food and snacks in the village are tasty and the Nomadic beers are handcrafted, hard to find anywhere else in Korea, and very good. Follow the Nomadic Brewing Instagram Follow the Nomadic Beer Garden in Hanok Village on Instagram Kimchi Rednecks Interview with Nomadic Brewing Who are we? We are craft beer lovers who live and work in South Korea. You can learn more about craft beer in Korea by joining or following us on Facebook or Instagram. Learn more below! Osan Craft Beer Club A social group at and near Osan AB. OCBC tries to meet weekly and loves exploring local and distant beer destinations. Follow the OSBC Instagram Pyeongtaek Craft Beer Society A social group in Pyeongtaek and near USAG Humphreys. PCBS loves to sample local and import beers and post descriptive descriptions of these beers. Michael Brown, MBA and Founder Osan Craft Beer ClubMike Brown retired from the Air Force, holds a Master’s in Business Administration, and is a co-founder of the Osan Craft Beer Club. Mr. Brown worked as a Korean language analyst and translator and currently lives with his family in South Korea. As a leader of the Osan Craft Beer Club, Mike Brown brings together casual beer lovers and advanced craft connoisseurs to share knowledge of the craft beer industry in South Korea. Additionally, he works with breweries, distributors, and the community to support and promote the growing craft beer scene across South Korea. www.facebook.com/groups/545864773526672/

The post Best Korean Craft Beer Spots for Fall appeared first on South of Seoul.

]]>
Craft Beer Scene Around Songtan (Sinjang), South Korea https://blog.southofseoul.net/craft-beer-scene-in-songtan-sinjang-south-korea/ Tue, 14 Dec 2021 06:47:57 +0000 https://blog.southofseoul.net/?p=7168 Michael Brown, MBA and Founder Osan Craft Beer Club

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!  Michael Brown, MBA and Founder Osan Craft Beer ClubMike Brown retired from the Air Force, holds a Master’s in Business Administration, and is a co-founder of the Osan Craft Beer Club. Mr. Brown worked as a Korean language analyst and translator and currently lives with his family in South Korea. As a leader of the Osan Craft Beer Club, Mike Brown brings together casual beer lovers and advanced craft connoisseurs to share knowledge of the craft beer industry in South Korea. Additionally, he works with breweries, distributors, and the community to support and promote the growing craft beer scene across South Korea. www.facebook.com/groups/545864773526672/

The post Craft Beer Scene Around Songtan (Sinjang), South Korea appeared first on South of Seoul.

]]>
3 Brewery Travel Itinerary for Gangwondo https://blog.southofseoul.net/3-brewery-travel-itinerary-for-gangwondo/ Wed, 13 Oct 2021 04:53:46 +0000 https://blog.southofseoul.net/?p=6369 Michael Brown, MBA and Founder Osan Craft Beer Club

Let’s go visit one of the most beautiful parts of South Korea and drink some beer! If you love this 3 brewery travel itinerary for Gangwondo, be sure to join Osan Craft Beer Club on Facebook. About Gangwondo Gangwon Province (강원도) occupies the most northeastern portion of South Korea. Known for both coastal and mountainous areas, they recently hosted the 2017 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics. For this 3 brewery travel itinerary for Gangwondo trip, we were discovering some staples of the Korean craft beer industry, the White Crow Brewing Company near Dunnae-myun, along with Gangneung Brewery and Budnamu Brewery, both in Gangneung-si. Transportation to the Mountains of Dunnae Transportation to Dunnae is not simple. If you have a vehicle and can drive this far, that would be the preferred method, but since we had a large group, had multiple destinations, and wanted to drink plenty of beer, we chose to use public transit. Our trip to White Crow began as many begin when searching for quality beer in Korea… take the subway North. We transferred to the KTX at Cheongnyangni Station in Seoul and the journey continued east. Aboard a pristine new train, introduced in 2017 just before the Winter Olympics, our 1.5-hour ride was smooth and quiet to Dunnae Station, a lovely little mountain town in the Pyeongchang region of Gangwon-do. White Crow Brewing Company Visit As you approach White Crow, it is easy to imagine why the brewery was established here. The majestic almost fantasy-like quality about this place cannot be adequately captured with pictures. The mountain farmhouse style brewery and taproom make excellent use of indoor and outdoor space, with options for all seasons – thankfully the picnic tables in the yard were ready and waiting for us, and so were the views. The founders, Les and his wife Sujin, welcomed us to what feels like their home and were so kind, interacting with their patrons like old friends. Families with kids and dogs enjoying the cool mountain air and beers with dinner was a lovely peaceful sight to see. A split menu of four seasonal beers and their flagship four brews offers an excellent variety to showcase their craft and to highlight ingredients grown in the region (sampler flights are available for both!). The water comes from a well drilled on-site, providing a crisp, clean slate to build on for both their brewing and the fantastic cooking that comes out of the Brewery’s kitchen. Poutine, pizza, and fish and chips are the big three to name amongst others, that were each prepared in the finest form many of us have had in a long time, or ever in Korea. Spending hours at this place is too easy, some might say…White Crow has been open since 2019 and has grown in popularity and notoriety quite fast, but is clearly just getting started. They often host events and recently concluded a food-collaboration partnership series which I’m sure we will see more events like it soon. How to get to White Crow Brewing Dunnae station has a taxi stop but did not have any cabs, so we used Kakao T to find a ride. A 10-15 min cab ride up and around the Welli Hilli Ski Resort/Sulibong Peak brings you down to White Crow Brewing Company (right next to Pyeongchang Botanic Garden). How to Get to Your Hotel After White Crow Brewing For the ride home, we had to call the taxi company 60 minutes prior to our desired pick-up time. With the secluded location, the company needed time to move cabs throughout the county. From this location, we do not recommend Kakao-T. We used the local company with the phone number 010-9159-5000. If you are uncomfortable calling the taxi, the White Crow staff will gladly assist. Overnight Stays near White Crow Brewing If you can only spend a day in this region, make it a long one. We highly recommend you stay in a hotel or pension nearby – Welli Hilli, Dunnae, and some glamping/pensions offer you a variety of options to spend the night. The closer to White Crow, the better! Activities near White Crow Brewing Welli Hilli is a nearby ski resort that also offers summer activities including luge riding, hiking, and virtual curling. It also has a full hotel and a small water park. The Pyeongchang Botanic Garden is adjacent to White Crow. It has a small entry fee (5,000 won) which allows you to roam the grounds and take photos. It also has an artsy café on site. You can find these activities (and more) in the South of Seoul app. About Gangnueng City in Gangwondo Gangneung City is located on the east coast of South Korea in the northern province of Gangwon-do. Known for its beaches, sunrises, and the 2018 Winter Olympics, it has the feel of a small city since it has only 213,000 residents. Transportation to Gangneung Gangneung is quite a distance from Seoul or Pyeongtaek, there are several options to find your way to the east coast. We took the subway to Cheongryangri Station in Seoul and then jumped on the KTX to Gangneung, and reversed this route for the trip home. Another option is the bus. Buses run from East Seoul Bus Terminal (20,200 won) every 30 minutes or so. From Suwon Bus Terminal, buses run every hour (20,600 won). From Songtan Bus Terminal, there are three morning buses (21,800 won), while Pyeongtaek Station also sends three buses in the morning (24,100). Return buses are similarly timed and priced. Once we got to Gangneung, we took many taxi rides, either hailing on the street, at a taxi stand, or via Kakao T. We never waited more than 10 minutes and never rode for more than 15 minutes. Gangneung is small and most destinations can be reached in 15-20 minutes for less than 10,000 won. Gangneung Brewing Company Visit Gangneung Brewery has only been in business since 2017. Their operation in Gangneung-si is small, modern, and clean. The staff seemed to struggle with our order, either because we had a large group or because we spoke English. The menu had some tasty selections, and the beer was better than average. Budnamu Brewing Company Visit A budnamu is a willow tree. Budnamu Brewery was founded in Gangneung-si in 2015. The brewery is situated in Gangneung’s oldest makgeolli distillery which creates a comfy atmosphere for those who visit. The dining room has a mixture of high and low ceilings, with wood and brick accents throughout. It is very interesting to observe the architecture and craftsmanship from 70+ years ago. An outdoor seating area is out the side door and provides the opportunity to eat and drink alongside flowers, trees, and a few kittens. Many of Budnamu’s beers have signature local ingredients such as chrysanthemum, pine, and rice. These ingredients blend nicely with the barley and hops and highlight what the local market can add to the beer. Budnamu also has a great food selection. The burgers are big and filled with plenty of toppings. The pizzas are also large, with thin crusts and fresh toppings.In addition to the brewery and dining room in Gangneung, Budnamu also has a pub at the Lake Como mall in Dongtan New City. Nearby Attractions in Gangneung There are many things to do and see in Gangneung. We focused on the beer, but also found a few beaches and a charming coffee street along the seaside. You can find these activities (and more) in the South of Seoul app. Gangmun Beach This beach is just south of the Kyungpo Beach Hyundai Hotel. There is a small bridge that lights up at night, the Rainbow Bridge, between the Hyundai Hotel and Gangmun Beach. We visited Gangmun Beach at night and saw many couples, young and old, chilling on the beach. Some were wading in the waves, others were shooting fireworks. Since we visited at night, no one was swimming and the shops along the street were not open. We did find a couple of convenience stores with the infamous four for 10,000 Won beers. Amnok Beach and Coffee Street This beach is further south in Gangneung and situated just north of the Gangneung Port Passenger Terminal. The beach is steep in places but the sand is softer than Gangmun Beach. I am sure you can swim at this beach. A boat rental vendor is on the beach, giving powerboat rides for 15,000 per person (not sure for how long). The most famous attraction at this beach is the line of coffee shops and restaurants along the beachfront road. They all have beautiful views of the beach and many have rooftop seating areas which serve as peaceful vistas over the street, beach, and harbor. Like this Brewery Travel Itinerary, Join Osan Craft Beer Club! This 3 brewery travel itinerary for Gangwondo trip described here was taken by the Osan Craft Beer Club in late September. If you are interested in discovering delicious craft beer made in Korea, please join us at ???? ????? ???? ????. Join the Pyeongtaek Travelers Group You are also welcome to join our Pyeongtaek Travelers. The South of Seoul moderated community of active and friendly travelers (most who live in Pyeongtaek, South Korea) sharing their adventure across the country. Volunteer with South of Seoul Interested in working with a fun team of talented volunteers? The South of Seoul volunteer team is always looking for other like-minded folks to research information, compile blogs, and edit content. Michael Brown, MBA and Founder Osan Craft Beer ClubMike Brown retired from the Air Force, holds a Master’s in Business Administration, and is a co-founder of the Osan Craft Beer Club. Mr. Brown worked as a Korean language analyst and translator and currently lives with his family in South Korea. As a leader of the Osan Craft Beer Club, Mike Brown brings together casual beer lovers and advanced craft connoisseurs to share knowledge of the craft beer industry in South Korea. Additionally, he works with breweries, distributors, and the community to support and promote the growing craft beer scene across South Korea. www.facebook.com/groups/545864773526672/

The post 3 Brewery Travel Itinerary for Gangwondo appeared first on South of Seoul.

]]>