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Korean beers have gained popularity both domestically and internationally, offering a range of flavors that cater to different palates. This article delves into the characteristics, taste profiles, and overall appeal of the top Korean beers you need to try in 2024.
10. Cass
Cass beer, produced by Oriental Brewery, is a staple in Korea. It’s known for its clean and refreshing taste, making it a go-to option for many Koreans.
Cost: Approximately $2.00 per bottle
Quality Level: High for mainstream lagers
Taste: Crisp, slightly sweet, with a mild hoppy finish
Location of Company: Seoul, South Korea
Analysis:
- Colour: Pale yellow with good effervescence.
- Nose: Light and refreshing with hints of citrus and barley.
- Palate: Smooth and easy to drink, featuring a balance of sweetness from the malt and mild bitterness from the hops. The barley notes are prominent, adding a slight nuttiness.
- Finish: Clean and crisp, leaving a refreshing aftertaste that encourages another sip.
Cass is designed for easy drinking and pairs well with various Korean dishes, especially spicy foods. Its light body and mild flavor make it an excellent choice for those new to beer or looking for something refreshing.
Cass Red is a stronger variant than the regular version, with an ABV of 6.9%, making it one of the highest alcohol content beers available in the Korean market.
9. Hite
Hite, another top contender from HiteJinro, is renowned for its clean and refreshing profile. It uses a unique fermentation process with purified water, which contributes to its smooth texture.
Cost: Around $1.80 per bottle
Quality Level: Consistently high
Taste: Light, slightly sweet, with a clean finish
Location of Company: Seoul, South Korea
Analysis:
- Colour: Gold with lively bubbles.
- Nose: Creamy with a hint of honey and citrus.
- Palate: Velvety and light, featuring corn-like sweetness, mild brininess, and a touch of toasted barley. The body is slightly heavier than Cafri but still easy to drink.
- Finish: Short and subtle, with light barley notes and a faint hint of hops.
It stands as a middle-of-the-road beer, making it a safe and approachable choice for beer novices. Its consistent flavor profile and smooth finish make it a reliable option for various occasions.
Hiteโs unique selling point is its โExtra Coldโ technology, which involves filtering and storing the beer at sub-zero temperatures to enhance its crispness and refreshment.
8. Terra
Terra, also from HiteJinro, has quickly become a favorite in Korea. This beer emphasizes natural ingredients and processes, using malt from Australia’s Golden Triangle and natural carbonation from fermentation.
Cost: Approximately $2.20 per bottle
Quality Level: Premium
Taste: Clean, crisp, with natural carbonation
Location of Company: Seoul, South Korea
Analysis:
- Colour: Yellow gold, highly effervescent.
- Nose: Pronounced hop-forward aroma with sweet cereal notes and a touch of grassiness.
- Palate: Velvety and textural, with a lively effervescence. The flavor opens with barley notes, followed by sake-like yeastiness and a faint saltiness. Fruity hints of pomelo and white grape add complexity.
- Finish: Moderate length, becoming cleaner with light bitterness and citrus zest.
Terra’s rich and complex flavor profile appeals to long-time beer drinkers who appreciate a touch of body and mild hoppiness. Its natural carbonation and premium ingredients set it apart from other Korean beers. This beer achieved immense popularity quickly after its launch in 2019, becoming one of the fastest-growing beer brands in South Korea.
7. Kloud
Kloud beer from Lotte Chilsung offers a luxurious drinking experience. Crafted with 100% malt and high-quality German and Czech Republic hops, it uses the “Original Gravity” brewing method to ensure a fuller body and richer flavor.
Cost: About $2.50 per bottle
Quality Level: Premium
Taste: Rich, malty, with a slightly bitter finish
Location of Company: Seoul, South Korea
Analysis:
- Colour: Gold.
- Nose: Rich and distinctive, with honeyed aroma and light rice umami, along with a subtle lactic acidity.
- Palate: Medium-bodied with gentle carbonation. Flavors of malt, cereal, light buttered toast, and pomelo. Slightly less weighty than OB Beer.
- Finish: Lingering umami notes and earthiness, with a slightly mushroomy note towards the end.
Kloud’s moderate complexity and well-rounded flavor make it a solid choice for casual beer drinkers. Its satisfying weight distinguishes it from other light lagers, providing an enjoyable drinking experience.
6. OB Golden Lager
OB Golden Lager, produced by Oriental Brewery, has been a favorite in Korea for decades. Known for its smooth and rich flavor, this all-malt beer remains a staple in many Korean households.
Cost: Around $2.00 per bottle
Quality Level: High
Taste: Smooth, malty, with a balanced finish
Location of Company: Seoul, South Korea
Analysis:
- Colour: Gold with light effervescence.
- Nose: Dominant rustic and cereal-like aroma reminiscent of butter pound cake, with a raw rice fragrance.
- Palate: Substantial and thick texture, with noticeable rice-like yeastiness, osmanthus florals, maltiness, and light hints of caramel.
- Finish: Strong malt note with jasmine rice impressions and increasing earthiness and minerality.
OB Golden Lager stands out with its rich malty mouthfeel and contrasting notes. It’s a compelling brew that appeals to beer enthusiasts seeking a distinct and flavorful beer. OB Golden Lagerโs mascot, Lala Bear, has become a cultural icon in South Korea, often featured in various merchandise and marketing campaigns that target nostalgia and fun.
We are talking about a beer that makes it completely worth it to add a bottle opener to your custom keychains.
5. Cafri
Cafri, also produced by Oriental Brewery, is often compared to Mexico’s Corona due to its light body and refreshing taste. It’s popular among younger drinkers and those who prefer a lighter beer.
Cost: Approximately $1.50 per bottle
Quality Level: Good
Taste: Light, citrusy, with subtle maltiness
Location of Company: Seoul, South Korea
Analysis:
- Colour: Hay.
- Nose: Crisp, citrus-laced aroma, with cream-like maltiness and sweet honey notes.
- Palate: Refreshing and light-bodied, with a gentle mix of citrus, buckwheat, and notes of cereal and roasted barley. The minerality shines through, resembling traditional unsweetened Korean barley tea (Boricha).
- Finish: Pleasant hints of honey and a dry, crisp note.
Cafri’s light and airy texture makes it a refreshing choice, especially when paired with spicy meals. It’s ideal for those new to beer or who dislike hoppy bitter lagers. This beer was one of the first in Korea to be sold in a transparent bottle, which was a marketing strategy to emphasize its clarity and purity.
4. Jeju Beer
Jeju Beer, from the Jeju Beer Company, offers a taste inspired by the natural beauty of Jeju Island. This wheat beer is known for its light, fruity flavor and thick foam.
Cost: About $2.30 per bottle
Quality Level: Premium
Taste: Light, citrusy, with a refreshing finish
Location of Company: Jeju Island, South Korea
Analysis:
- Colour: Golden with thick foam.
- Nose: Light and fruity with hints of citrus.
- Palate: Smooth and light, with a subtle citrus flavor and refreshing taste. The beer’s lightness makes it particularly refreshing.
- Finish: Clean and refreshing, with lingering citrus notes.
Jeju Beer is perfect for those looking for a light and fruity beer that offers a refreshing experience. Its unique flavor profile reflects the natural beauty of Jeju Island.
3. Hanmac
Hanmac beer, brewed using Korean rice, is known for its smooth and clean flavor. It’s an excellent choice for those who prefer a milder beer.
Cost: Approximately $1.80 per bottle
Quality Level: High
Taste: Smooth, clean, with subtle rice notes
Location of Company: Seoul, South Korea
Analysis:
- Colour: Pale yellow.
- Nose: Light and clean with subtle rice notes.
- Palate: Smooth and clean, with a mild flavor profile that highlights the rice. The beer is light and easy to drink.
- Finish: Clean and refreshing, with subtle hints of rice.
Hanmac’s smooth and clean flavor makes it an ideal choice for pairing with a variety of foods, especially Korean fried chicken. Its mild flavor profile is perfect for those who prefer a less intense beer.
2. Kelly
Kelly beer, introduced by Jinro, uses premium Danish malt and a dual fermentation process. It is known for its clean brewing process and natural ingredients.
Cost: Around $2.40 per bottle
Quality Level: Premium
Taste: Barley-forward, with a clean finish
Location of Company: Seoul, South Korea
Analysis:
- Colour: Golden.
- Nose: Barley-forward with subtle malt sweetness.
- Palate: Clean and straightforward, with a pronounced barley flavor. The dual fermentation process gives it a unique depth.
- Finish: Clean and crisp, with a slight bitterness.
Kelly beer offers a straightforward and clean taste, making it perfect for enjoying as is or in mixed drinks like โsomaekโ (a mix of soju and beer).
1. Gompyo Wheat Beer
Gompyo Wheat Beer, produced by Jeju Beer Company, offers two versions: Original Wheat Beer and Fruity Wheat Beer. Both provide a refreshing and unique drinking experience.
Cost: About $2.50 per bottle
Quality Level: Premium
Taste: Original: Smooth, fruity; Fruity: Tangy, citrusy
Location of Company: Jeju Island, South Korea
Analysis:
- Colour: Golden with thick foam.
- Nose: Fruity and light.
- Palate: Original: Smooth and fruity, with a subtle sweetness. Fruity: Tangy and citrusy, with elements of tangerine, hallabong, and orange zest.
- Finish: Original: Clean and refreshing. Fruity: Refreshing with a hint of bitterness.
Gompyo Wheat Beer offers a unique and refreshing experience, perfect for those who enjoy fruity and smooth beers. Its two versions cater to different preferences, making it a versatile choice.
Conclusion
Korean beers, like Japanese ones, offer a diverse range of flavors and experiences. Whether you prefer light lagers or richer, more complex brews, there’s a Korean beer for you. Cass, Hite, Terra, Kloud, OB Golden Lager, Cafri, Jeju Beer, Hanmac, Kelly, and Gompyo Wheat Beer each bring something unique to the table.
As the Korean beer industry continues to grow, these beers are not just beverages but an essential part of Korean culture and social life. Try these top Korean beers in 2024 to explore the diverse tastes they offer.
