Fruity sour ales on a hot day, rich porters when it’s chilly, and lagers when you’re craving a roasty wheat flavor. No two beers are alike, and we want different things depending on the weather and our mood. Once you’re in this world, it’s easy to become a picky eater, but it’s also fun to discover the finer points of taste. Here are some places where you can find craft beers made with care by breweries.
1. Mystery Brewing Company
Mysterlee Brewing Company is nestled among the buildings of Gongdeok Station. The refreshing fruit-flavored beers are especially good, and the food is also good. They are open from lunchtime, so it’s a great place to enjoy a refreshing afternoon beer.
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2. MacPie Brewery
If you love craft beer, you’ve probably seen this magpie logo before. It belongs to MacPie, a brewery that has quietly but surely made a mark on Jeju’s craft beer culture. Since opening its doors in 2011, McPie has been part of the history of craft beer in Korea. In fact, it was home to Lee Tae-won until 2016, when he converted an empty citrus warehouse in Jeju into a brewery. Since moving to Jeju, McPie’s beers can be found at Itaewon and Euljiro.
📍244-1, Noksapyeong-daero, Yongsan-gu, Jung-gu, Euljiro 127
3. Amazing Brewing Company
Since 2016, Seongsu-dong has been home to Amazing Brewing Company. This is the brewery behind Gin Ramen and Gin Lager, and it’s also a brand that’s strong on public collaborations. With 20 flavor-filled taps, you can pour your own or ask a trained staff member to do it for you if you’re afraid of the bubble baptism.
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4. Chilhops Itaewon Project
In a time when it’s not uncommon to find up-and-coming breweries with creative local beers and bottle shops with a solid lineup of mercenaries from beer powerhouses like Germany, England, and the U.S., Chillhops Brewing makes Australian and New Zealand-style beers. It all started when two men from two different countries opened a brewery in Seosan, Chungcheongnam-do. Their taproom is located on the pass of Lee Tae-won.
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5. Seoul Gypsy
Seoul Gypsy is responsible for revitalizing Seosunragil in Jongno, where the serene view of the nursery walls is enough to make you feel good, and they love to experiment with IPAs. Seoul Gypsy’s beer, made by a Gwangju brewery, is now also available in Hannam-dong.
📍107, Seosunra-gil, Jongno-gu, Yongsan-gu Itaewon-ro 42-gil 28-4
6. Seoul Brewery
Seoul Brewery is the largest urban brewery in Korea, with more than 100 craft beers on tap. The seven-story Seongsu Branch is home to cafes, dining, and cultural spaces alongside the beer taps. If you’re curious about the brewery’s beer-making process, you can sign up for a tour here.
📍📍10, Tojeong-ro 3 an-gil, Mapo-gu, Seongdong-gu, Yeonmujang-gil 28-12
7. Brewery 304
Brewery304 is a small brewery in the city center that started in 2015 at 304 Asan-dong, now located in the middle of Yeongcheon Market in Seodaemun. Their signature beer is Pluto Blonde Ale. Recently, they launched the “Cats Save the Universe” series, which features cat labels and is very popular.
📍📍7, Tongil-ro 11-gil, Seodaemun-gu
More: Seoul Gelato Place 8
, a great place to escape the heat