Check out the best places in Seoul where you can enjoy a cold brew, especially a good craft beer in the capital city of South Korea!
Craft Beer used to be a very small and expensive niche in Korea until very recently. The liquor tax law changed in 2020, after which the prices for craft beer came down, which led to a huge surge in its consumption.
The local Korean craft beer market grew to 118 Billion Won in 2020, nearly twice that in 2018, and it is expected to grow further to 370 Billion Won by 2023.
Apart from a drop in prices, other factors also contributed to the craft beer craze in Korea. Since the pandemic hit, customers have been buying beer cans from convenience stores rather than visiting bars. The convenience store, CU, states that craft beer sales have gone up nearly 500% in 2020 compared to 2019!
Then there is the fact that in recent years, a lot of international students and businessmen have been visiting the US and Europe, where they have developed a taste for new varieties of craft beer.
All this has also led to a surge in the number of craft breweries all around Korea, Seoul included. We’ve listed some of the top craft breweries in Seoul below.
Ggeek Beer Company
Ggeek Beer Company is one of the top Korean microbreweries that makes a variety of enjoyable Korean craft beers.
The pub in Euljiro offers a relaxing vibe with a decent drink selection. Most of the offerings are brewed by the beer company, while some other common brands are also available. They have a separate brewery in Gyeonggi-do which has won several awards, including six accolades from the 2023 KIBA (Korea International Beer Award), an international beer competition.
The best Korean craft brewery produces two different types of beers – year-round and seasonal. Year-round craft beers are available throughout the year, while the monthly Ggeek Beer is all about new beers every month for customers.
Magpie Brewing Co.
This is one of the best craft breweries in Seoul and the most reviewed on Google reviews.
They have a wide variety of craft brews, which they rotate seasonally. The service is quick, and they also have cans available that you can take home.
If you are into 90’s music, they also play alternative/rock music there.
There is a restaurant downstairs, and the pizza there is equally amazing. They are spicy, so you can request that they go easy on the spices.
Speakeasy Boxing Tiger
This place has a great ambiance – it’s cozy and comforting. They have a lot of creative and delicious cocktails, and this is a relatively lesser-known place.
The bartenders are friendly and knowledgeable and also recommend drinks based on what you like. The prices are reasonable too! The live DJ there plays 90’s music.
They also prepare tasty yet straightforward snacks to pair with your drinks.
Mikkeller Bar Seoul
Mikkeller Bar is a bit pricey, but they have a good selection of craft beer in Seoul. As the name suggests, they have the entire range of Mikkeller available here. An excellent selection of local Korean beer is also available in this Seoul bar.
The bartender knows English, so that’s a big plus.
The decor feels clean and fresh, with light and relaxing colors. The food options here are limited, but many good restaurants are within walking distance.
Seoul Brewery
As soon as you step inside the premises of Seoul Brewery, you are instantly transported to the industrial revolution. The tables and machinery are set up in such a way that you feel like you’re inside a factory.
The decor is sleek, minimal and modern, making this a great place to hang out with friends.
The staff is friendly and offer good service. The food is also delicious, and their dipping sauces are very good.
Craftbros Tap House & Bottle Shop
Craftbros is nestled inside brickwork, giving it a very comfortable and inviting feel.
They serve tasty savory snacks that go really well with their beers, and their juicy New England IPA range is especially good. They have a bottle shop attached, serving a great selection of bottled and canned beers (even from the USA) that you can enjoy.
Their charcuterie board is well presented with a lot of meats, along with plenty of additional nibbles to go with the meat.
The bar itself is decently sized, but there are plenty of partitions, nooks and crannies to give you a sense of privacy.
Craft Hans Jonggak
This place in Seoul has great craft beer as well as international beers. It is not cheap here, but it is well worth the price. The service is quick as well.
The location is excellent, being placed next to a river. However, the river isn’t visible from the bar, and the bar itself is quite small. You might even miss it the first time you’re out looking for it!
But you can always go for a walk before or after visiting here!
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