Here for the beer? It’s here for you
Published: 14 Aug. 2013, 20:26
Reilly’s Taphouse in Itaewon, central Seoul, has probably the largest selection of craft beer in Seoul. [JoongAng Ilbo]
According to E-mart, the nation’s leading discount store, beer sales soared 48 percent this month compared with July.
Beer always sells well in the summer, but E-mart said sales are higher than expected this season because of the record-high heat wave.
For those who have a taste for something other than beer from a convenience store, here are some other suggestions.
19 Beer popsicle at Molly’s Pops is made with Erdinger beer, brewed in Germany.
One way to enjoy beer is chugging it right from the mug, but sometimes it comes in other forms, such as a beer-flavored popsicle. Of all the hand-made popsicles available at Molly’s Pops, 19 Beer popsicle is made with Erdinger beer, brewed in Germany. The beer popsicle has brought a throng of customers to the small ice cream joint in Seogyo-dong, Mapo District, western Seoul, which has only three tables.
The 19 Beer popsicle is sweet at first bite, but it still tastes like a bitter beer. Because of its flavor, it is especially refreshing after greasy meals. People who can’t drink alcohol may feel tipsy after eating it, though.
Two other popsicles also contain alcohol. One is made with wine and strawberries; the other is made with a mixture of Kahlua and makgeolli, or rice wine.
Moon Se-won, the owner of shop, originally started making popsicles for her children, but she ended up opening her own ice cream shop in a back alley near Hongik University.
All the popsicles at the store cost 3,000 won ($2.60) and draft beer is available at 6,500 won.
* Molly’s Pops 070-4300-3045
All-you-can-drink buffet
If a six-pack of beer doesn’t satisfy you, an all-you-can-drink beer buffet is another option.
Targeting people who drink beer like a fish, many franchise restaurants offer unlimited beer promotions, but they only last one or two hours. InterContinental Seoul Coex Hotel’s Wonder Hour is more generous than others.
Unlimited draft beer and about 20 assorted hot dishes, including beef steak, pizza, deep-fried potatoes and fruits are provided from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. from Monday to Saturday.
The beer buffet, which began in 2007, has gained popularity because of its reasonable price, which is 35,000 won per person, including taxes and service charges.
The hotel is offering a promotion called Canadian Delights with Wonder Hour. Along with ordinary draft beer, Canadian Big Rock draft beer is offered unlimited. All the meat items on the menu are made with Canadian beef and pork.
* InterContinental Seoul Coex Hotel (02) 3430-8603
Kirin Ichiban Frozen Nama might be the summer’s most talked-about beer. It has become popular because of its frozen foam. Provided by Plaza Hotel Seoul
The latest trend in the beer scene is probably ice cream beer, which looks like an ice cream cone with a layer of frozen foam on the top. Some dub it “poop ice cream beer” because of its shape.
Its official name is Kirin Ichiban Frozen Nama and this draft beer has become popular for its crispy frozen foam, which lasts about 30 minutes. Kirin first sold the beer at a pop-up store for a limited time in Garosugil, southern Seoul, earlier last month, but it’s now available at 25 pubs across Seoul.
Unfortunately, it takes at least 30 minutes to be seated at one of the 25 restaurants.
Sugatamori in Seogyo-dong, Bee in Itaewon, Plaza Hotel Seoul near City Hall and M Pub in Yeouido are some of the places that serve Kirin Ichiban Frozen Nama. The price varies depending on the location, but it starts at 8,000 won per mug.
* Sugatamori (02) 3143-1525
* Bee (02) 790-0478
* Plaza Hotel Seoul (02) 771-2200
* M Pub Yeouido (02) 6137-5082
Craftworks Taphouse & Bistro’s Jirisan Moon Bear IPA contains a higher amount of alcohol than other microbrews.
Craft beer was quite exotic to many Korean beer lovers until a couple of years ago, but microbreweries that produce their own craft beer are opening all across Seoul, especially in Itaewon.
Unlike mass-produced beer, these brews are much more aromatic and they have a deeper taste because they contain more hops.
Of many places, Reilly’s Taphouse has probably the largest selection of craft beer in Seoul. About 20 types of craft beer, made by microbreweries in Itaewon, are available and each beer is served in mugs of different shapes to maximize their unique flavors.
Jeju IPA, a house craft beer of the place, is a must-drink beer.
Craftworks Taphouse & Bistro in Itaewon is another popular microbrewery. It offers six microbrews and each one is named after Korean mountains. For example, Namsan Pure Pilsner is an easy-drinking lager that contains between 4 percent and 5 percent alcohol, while Jirisan Moon Bear IPA contains 6.8 percent alcohol, with a dry, hoppy flavor.
Both microbreweries offer samplers for those who can’t decide what to order.
* Reilly’s Taphouse (02) 792-6590
* Craftworks Taphouse & Bistro (02) 794-2537
BY SUNG SO-YOUNG [so@joongang.co.kr]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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