Beer isn’t the first thing that pops into mind when you think about South Korea, but this country is home to several delicious brews everyone should try at least once.
Korean Beers
1. Hite Stout
- Alcohol content: 4.5% ABV
- Calories: 200
Hite is one of the most popular mainstream Korean beers, brewed at HiteJinro, and one of the most delicious brews beer lovers should taste.
The Hite stout is a pale lager with a beautiful clear golden hue and a pleasant grain aroma with subtle malt flavors. The first sip is followed by a calm bitterness that lingers but doesn’t overpower, making it a fan-favorite in Korean bars nationwide.
2. Cass Fresh
- Alcohol content: 4.5% ABV
- Calories: 100
Cass Fresh is a golden lager made by Oriental Brewery. It’s so famous among beer lovers that they’ve named it the “beer of Korea.”
With a modest alcohol content and a refreshing taste, this popular Korean beer lets you have a blast all night. This classic American adjunct lager has a crisp flavor, slightly bitter taste, and light malt hues, making it an easy-to-drink beer for any occasion.
Its lighter feeling makes it the perfect choice on a hot summer day or even to serve to that friend who isn’t necessarily a huge fan of beer.
3. Max Beer
- Alcohol content: 4.5% ABV
- Calories: 110
Max is another fantastic all-malt Korean beer brewed by Hite Brewery. It’s considered a premium Korean beer with balanced malts, grains, and a hit of hops.
Beer enthusiasts love Max because it has a deeper taste than other budget Korean beer brands and is packed with a heavy aroma. Even though it packs a punch, Max also features a sweet taste and a light bitter finish, so it’s an overall great beer.
4. OB Lager
- Alcohol content: 4.4% ABV
- Calories: 105
Another light lager by Oriental Brewery is OB, a true symbol of Korean beer culture. This replica of an American pale ale has a very balanced flavor profile, smooth texture, and a touch of sweetness. It also boasts a clear, golden color, distinctive of most Korean beer brands.
Korean light lagers like OB usually offer a clean and crisp taste that’s hard to resist, making it easy to go for seconds. They’re the perfect companions for Korean dishes, which can be a bit sour without the tanginess of light beers.
5. 7Bräu IPA
- Alcohol content: 4.6% ABV
- Calories: 180
7Bräu is among the “younger” Korean craft beer brands but a true old-timer in terms of Korean beer taste. The brewery started small in 2013, but ever since, they’ve crafted some unique mixes that go exceptionally well with Korean cuisine.
This medium-bodied brew starts with a bang, where you’ll immediately notice distinctive citrus hop flavors. Then, the refreshing beer will provide a twist of freshness, only to top it all off with a caramel finish.
6. Kloud Burg
- Alcohol content: 5% ABV
- Calories: 240
Another iconic Korean craft beer brand is Lotte Liquor, whose most popular product is the Kloud Burg. It’s a German-style pilsner, delivering a strong and full-bodied flavor. It’s made of genuine German hops and malt and is stronger than your typical Korean light beer.
Kloud’s rich taste has a distinct German bitterness and malt sweetness, which offers a balanced flavor profile. It also boasts a pleasing golden hue and a thick, creamy foam.
7. Terra Beer
- Alcohol content: 4.5% ABV
- Calories: 150
Terra is a craft beer that is wonderfully rich yet subtle in all the right ways. It has a balanced mix of malt and hops, a medium body, and a fresh, crisp finish. And if that’s not enough to draw you in, its caramel, barley, and bitter flavors certainly will.
Those who like experimenting with beers will rave about Terra from the first sip. It’s not a conventional flavor profile and is best enjoyed as a standalone treat to ensure you can taste the different hints of flavor.
8. Seoulite Ale
- Alcohol content: 5% ABV
- Calories: 270
The Seoulite ale offers a balanced mix of malty caramel and citrusy hops and a mild bitterness to die for. The refreshing taste ends with a clean, crisp finish, giving you a layered flavor profile that can only be matched by spicy food.
It has a daring flavor profile, meaning the beer isn’t for everyone. Those who strongly prefer craft brews will appreciate the unique blend of aromas, but if you’re more of a beer traditionalist, the Soulite ale may prove too much.
9. Slow IPA
- Alcohol content: 4.6% ABV
- Calories: 190
Hand and Malt Brewery’s Slow IPA beer is an Indian pale ale that perfectly balances bitter and sweet. It’s packed with tons of toasted malt, citrusy hops, and a hint of ripe peaches.
Unlike typical Korean sour beers, Slow IPA has a cloudy amber shade that bubbles to the brim with a creamy white head. And, even though it’s a low-alcohol stout, it’s among the most sought-after craft beers in the country.
10. Jeju Wit Ale
- Alcohol content: 5.3% ABV
- Calories: 257
Jeju Wit ale is a legendary beer in the Korean craft beer scene. Made by Jeju Beer Company, this beer stays true to its roots by only using locally sourced ingredients to craft beers adored across the nation.
This golden lager has a light appearance and a slight coriander taste that’s known and loved by locals. The wheat beer also features a sweet tang of citrus that pairs quite well with poultry and fish, making it a fantastic choice for unforgettable Seoul dinners.
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Conclusion
Even though these beers aren’t as famous as their European counterparts, Korean beer is worth a tasting, whether you opt for a stout, golden lager, or something from the craft beer aisle.
Breweries here aren’t afraid to experiment with flavor profiles and often create delicious brews you can’t find anywhere else.
The 10 beers in this list underline Korea’s love of beer and the diversity this market offers. Go through the different brands and find one to satisfy your taste buds and help you explore unique flavors that only South Korea knows how to combine to perfection.
