E-Malt.com News article: South Korea: New Korea Craft Brewery focuses on local ingredients as much as possible

In Korea's bourgeoning craft beer scene, much attention is paid to what comes from the outside. A newly imported ale, for example, can send a wave of excitement through the community of beer enthusiasts, The Korea Times reported on November 14.

Brewers at the new Korea Craft Brewery (KCB) in Eumseong, North Chungcheong Province, however, are more excited about what Korea has to offer ― namely its local ingredients and a booming market for quality beers.

The construction of KCB - a partnership between a local entrepreneur and Japan's Kiuchi Brewery - was completed in July. The brewery has generated buzz because of the popularity of Kiuchi's Hitachino Nest beers, with their iconic "owl" logo.

"We are trying to find more natural Korean ingredients in to come up with authentic Korean flavors as well as to secure consistent supply sources," KCB director Seok Jin-young said.

The brewery was built and is operated with Korean funds, while Kiuchi supplies expertise from its master brewers. Beers brewed at the site have hit store shelves.

"The beers are definitely Korean products. Although they use the Japanese brand and craftsmanship, they are made largely with ingredients from Korea."

Kiuchi is the latest addition to the rapidly evolving local beer scene. Long dominated by mass-market lagers, supermarket aisles have been flooded in with imported microbrews in recent years. Pubs selling locally made craft beers have become a hit, especially in hip areas of Seoul.

To get to the brewery, one must drive along small roads far from any city center. The location of was chosen because of the quality of its water, Seok said.

Designed by Choi, who studied architecture, the building has a spacious, immaculate feel and a funky exterior accented by jagged red bricks and a triangular roof. Inside, the lobby features a chandelier that resembles a foamy head of beer.

At the center of the brewing is KCB brew master Mark Hamon, an American.

"We try to see which hops among 200 varieties go well together," Hamon said in his laboratory, pointing to cups containing hops with different aromas, ranging from citrus to spicy, herbal and earthy. "The combinations must not be too strong or obvious."

Many ingredients under his watch are cultivated in Korea, including omijas, an Asian berry, and tangerine peel from Jeju. These are used to flavor beers such as JJ Ale, an India pale now selling in Korean bars.

"In general, I'm interested in fruits, ginseng, spices and grain as possible Korean ingredient sources," said Hamon, 48.

Hamon previously installed brewery equipment for Kiuchi in the U.S. He eventually moved to Apple, where he worked with sheet metals for laptops and iPods.

"It was much simpler to work at Apple than working with the steam systems here," he said. "I like working with engineers and quality control but with a bit of free spirit ― artistic aspects ― which brewing offers."

The brewery plans to grow its own malts and hops next year, rather than importing them.

"That will enable us to come up with our own special brands," said Hamon.

KCB beers can be bought in pubs near Hongdae, Seoul, with a glass costing about 9,000 won. But the company is looking to expand its range of bottled beers, which they say will bring down costs.


21 November, 2014