In every province of Korea, hundreds of Makgeolli breweries are primarily situated in the countryside. The choice of these locations is often influenced by factors such as excellent access to water, sourcing specific ingredients from local farmers, and, most conspicuously, the limited opportunity to establish a Makgeolli brewery within Seoul due to exorbitant rent costs.
The breweries vary widely, depending on the category or type of Makgeolli one seeks. Options range from super-commercial, mass-produced Makgeolli to authentically traditional breweries with a stripped-down, bare-to-the-bones approach.
Spotting this emblem on your Makgeolli bottle is a sign that this brewery offers this program called “Visiting Breweries” or in Korean 찾아가는 양조장” A noteworthy initiative within the Makgeolli Tourism sector to promote the exposure of Korean alcohol.
If they participate in this program, conduct a swift NAVER Search (akin to Google in South Korea). It’s worth noting that many local Koreans prefer NAVER over Google. Alternatively, if they maintain a website, peruse it for details on visiting hours.
Typically, these tours encompass tastings and a brief glimpse into the brewery’s inner workings. Demonstrating support for local breweries is encouraged, often involving purchasing bottles and souvenirs.
Given the abundance of breweries, selecting the right one might seem daunting. For 2023-2024, we’ve sifted through the options and narrowed them down to our favorites. Download the PDF file here and learn which breweries we are fans of.
This initiative started as part of the Traditional Liquor Industry Revitalization Policy in 2013, and was curated by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
The term “Must-Visit Brewery” goes through an annual selection process and considers factors like liquor quality certification, awards from liquor evaluations, and historical significance. In essence, it ensures that the crucial element of any culinary experience—the taste—has been thoroughly validated.
Many breweries operate on a small scale, struggling with limited resources, so this initiative proves to be a breath of fresh air, focusing on promotion, marketing, and service enhancement.
The recruitment offers financial support of approximately 50 million KRW, coupled with improvements to distillery environments, the development of experiential programs, and regional promotional activities.
Visiting a Makgeolli brewery in your visit to Korea is a must, just like many people go and visit wineries in different countries. If you are interested in wine don’t worry, we do have some wine breweries that will certainly surprise you.
Before throwing a few recommendations of where to go to, I think it’s first of all better to explore and be better informed from what to look out for.
Some Operational challenges are present, and at times visits may be declined due to reasons like the planting season or brewing process.
Now, the pertinent question arises: Can one visit a Makgeolli brewery? The answer is affirmative, albeit with certain limitations, especially for tourists. Many of these breweries do not communicate in English, and, for the most part, they necessitate a minimum attendance of 5 to 10 people for a tasting session.
As mentioned earlier, be sure to check the brewery’s website to see if they can accommodate your group. We specialize in offering customized Makgeolli brewery tours, thanks to our close relationships with a few brewery owners. Head over to our contact page and share your main plans with us – we’re excited to help make your tour unforgettable!
Not enough time to visit a Makgeolli Brewery?
Explore our calendar of events to discover a lineup of exciting experiences!
Join us for our regular Soju tastings and Craft Makgeolli sessions held every month. Immerse yourself in a world of premium and unique Makgeolli varieties that are waiting to be explored and enjoyed.
Your visit to Korea wouldn’t be complete without savoring some truly exceptional natural Makgeolli, and our venue is the perfect place to do just that. Don’t miss out on the chance to elevate your tasting journey with us!
