Korean Job Discussion Forums

[DannyOKC]

I have made it my personal mission to find good beer in Busan.

In order to keep track, and to let others know what I've found out so far, I've started a simple little website, at www.sokobeer.blogspot.com

If you like good beer, check it out. And I'd appreciate any corrections or other information that may be helpful.

-Danny

[kat2]

Your link doesn:t work.

[butlerian]

Tsingtao is from China.

[butlerian]

[hubba bubba]

Thanks for the work on that. But the only American beers you've found are Coors Light, Icehouse, Budweiser and Red Dog? I want to cry.

[DannyOKC]

I found a few more U.S. beers...but it ain't pretty.

O'Douls, anyone?

-Danny

[Cthulhu]

Danny,

I remember seeing Lee's brewpub in Hadan--the one you mention on your blog (I would have posted there instead of here except I don't have a Google account). That place opened just before I left Busan back in 2003. Never had a chance to try it though it sounds like I didn't miss much. Back then I knew of a few other places that had draft beer, though I have no idea if they are still around. One was in Somyon behind Lotte Department Store. It was a second floor place and you could see the brewery equipment in the basement through glass. A reasonable weizen and I believe the other was lagerish. Nicest thing about it was the traditional yard glasses that were available.

There was another one at Kwangali, right across from the beach around the middle of the beach strip. Beer wasn't as good but was passable when considering the alternatives in Korea. I have a feeling it didn't survive though I could be wrong.

In Haeundae New Town there used to be a bar that served Paulaner--it wasn't actually draft but they'd pour a pint's worth into your glass. WHen it first opened they even had specials where you'd pay one price for all you can drink. Can't say exactly where it is but you couldn't miss the Paulaner sign (same as the logo on the bottle) from the second floor of the place. Good beer, that.

Most of the beer list in your blog is similar to what was available then. The only really good deals are the nicely priced Leffe and Hoegaarden, almost the same price as I remember. The Marriott hotel used to have beer available from time to time in the diplay case next to the buffet restaurant, though it was a hit or miss affair. There also used to be a convenience store up on Dalmaji that stocked some nice beers but I believe they stopped doing that before I left.

Good luck in your quest for good beer in Busan. I did the same when I was there and made a point of trudging to every out of the way chain supermarket that opened just to see if their beer selection was better than the other ones. It's a quest with many disappointments but a few victories here and there--one worthy of Don Quixote at times.