A guide to the best pubs for draft and international brews

Brew pubs are becoming popular [JoongAng Ilbo]

Jjokki Jjokki
Jjokki Jjokki (02-3142-4757) is a house beer chain that’s more like an upgraded version of a “beer hof.” It is known as a neighborhood spot and has around 600 branches. The beers come in a variety of flavors including wild raspberries, Japanese plums and coffee. The stores also have a new selection of “well-being beers” that are brewed with Chinese herbs and red ginseng. But if you like it simple, plain house beers are also a steady seller. The appetizers include a potato platter, quesadilla and fried shrimp mixed sweet and sour sauce. Food prices range from 10,000 to 20,000 won. Beers cost 3000 won per glass.

Three Alley Pub
Three Alley Pub (02-749 3336) in Itaewon is a popular European-styled pub located just behind Hamilton Hotel. It’s a refuge for the expat crowd in Korea. The place is owned by the former head chef of the Paris Grill at the Hyatt and houses a vast range of European beers on tap including Weisse, Dunkel, Leffe Brune and Guinness on top of other local draft beers. Hoegaarden is among the best sellers. It has a cozy terrace; the atmosphere is casual with a pool table, darts and a large TV screen.

Plzen
There are a number of ways to make cool draft beers. The most common way is to process them in a mechanical freezer. The other way is to freeze them naturally. Cream House Beer at Plzen (02-508-1747) is a soft draft brew that uses the latter method to make a smooth foam through the tap. It uses pressure and carbonic acid to make icy beers into a soft cream foam. Plzen serves pork chops, barbecue chicken, seafood stew and sausage platters. The menu also offers salad, fried and chicken. Food prices range from 10,000 to 15,000 won.
Castle Prague
Unlike most hofs that offer German house beers, Castle Prague (02-596-9200) is one of the few places in Korea that specializes in Czech draft beers, which date back to A.D. 900. Since its launch, Castle Prague has imported key ingredients like malt, hops and yeast from the Czech Republic; the bartenders at Castle Prague also inherited some techniques from a Czech brew master. They have two branches, in Gangnam and Hongdae. House beers include Granat, Dunkel and Pilsner (4500 won for a 450 milliliter glass.)

By Park Soo-mee Staff Writer [myfeast@joongang.co.kr]