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The question every straight guy needs to know
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Glorf



Joined: 01 Apr 2005
Location: Seoul Area
PostPosted: Sun May 29, 2005 8:23 pm    Post subject: The question every straight guy needs to know Reply with quote
Yeah, the title's sorta fucked up, but I was talking to three people between aim and msn when I posted it.

I'm going to Korea next month for the first time (hagwon job) and I need to know about the beer. I know that if nothing else I could always get imports for an arm and a leg, but I really want to sample Korean brews while I'm over there.

Since I assumed that Koreans picked up the stuff from the US after WWII, I had thought (and been worried that) pretty much all Korean beer would be light beer. Then, one time last semester (I just finished my undergrad years) a Korean friend said that you can get some Korean stouts. I like stouts, but most of the time I prefer a nice brown ale, or a pale ale. I'm also a big fan of nice amber brews, aka the only cheap beer that tastes worth drinking at a lot of bars here, when I can get my hands on them.

So seriously, now that I've bored you all with that, what can I expect in the way of Korean beers, and does anybody have some suggestions? I know OB is popular and I'd like to try it, but don't they just make light beers?
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Hyalucent



Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Location: British North America
PostPosted: Sun May 29, 2005 8:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
The "Stout" your friend mentioned is only a stout on the outside of the bottle (label). Inside it's just beer. Not bad beer though. I like it.

** That is provided he's talking about Hite Stout.
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Qinella



Joined: 25 Feb 2005
Location: the crib
PostPosted: Sun May 29, 2005 8:37 pm    Post subject: Re: The question every straight guy needs to know Reply with quote
Glorf wrote:
Yeah, the title's sorta *beep* up, but I was talking to three people between aim and msn when I posted it.

I'm going to Korea next month for the first time (hagwon job) and I need to know about the beer. I know that if nothing else I could always get imports for an arm and a leg, but I really want to sample Korean brews while I'm over there.

Since I assumed that Koreans picked up the stuff from the US after WWII, I had thought (and been worried that) pretty much all Korean beer would be light beer. Then, one time last semester (I just finished my undergrad years) a Korean friend said that you can get some Korean stouts. I like stouts, but most of the time I prefer a nice brown ale, or a pale ale. I'm also a big fan of nice amber brews, aka the only cheap beer that tastes worth drinking at a lot of bars here, when I can get my hands on them.

So seriously, now that I've bored you all with that, what can I expect in the way of Korean beers, and does anybody have some suggestions? I know OB is popular and I'd like to try it, but don't they just make light beers?


First, I must ask - what does being straight have to do with enjoying beer?

Now, on to your question. There are three beers which are ubiquitous in Korea - OB, Cass and Hite. These are the Miller, Budweiser and Coors of Korea, though not necessarily in that order. The quality is what you'd expect from a cheap, light beer. For dark beer, Hite does make a stout. It's not that bad, but not that good, either. The alcohol content for these beers is around 4.5%.

If you live in Seoul, you'll have a few more options available to you. However, they will cost you, especially depending on where you go. I was at a bar once and realized after three Guinesses that they charged $8 each for them. Eek.

At Carrafor, I've been able to find Guiness and a few German and Belgian beers that are exquisite. The guiness is about $3 a can, the other around $2.50 a can, which is a great price for imports.

I would tell you not to get your hopes up for Korean beer. The selection in a US import store is going to blow away anything Korea has to offer.

If anyone thinks I'm wrong, please please tell me. I'd love to know where to find good beer around here.
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Zyzyfer



Joined: 29 Jan 2003
Location: who, what, where, when, why, how?
PostPosted: Sun May 29, 2005 8:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Korea is not an alcoholic's paradise due to great beers; it's earned such a moniker for the ease of which it can be obtained. Any hour is beer o'clock in Liquor City.

But seriously, the local beers are pretty crappy, but they make some decent little wines. Good imports can be had in bars, but different areas have different prices.
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thorin



Joined: 14 Apr 2003
PostPosted: Sun May 29, 2005 9:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Every straight guy in Korea drinks this:

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mindmetoo



Joined: 02 Feb 2004
PostPosted: Sun May 29, 2005 9:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
If you like dark beer, you get used to drinking the universal Korean pale beers. Most of the beer tastes like Molson Canadian.
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Saxiif



Joined: 15 May 2003
Location: Seongnam
PostPosted: Sun May 29, 2005 9:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Quote:
Korean stouts

Complete and utter jokes. Lager with fucking food coloring Mad

Korean beer is ALL utter shit, you can pick up imported beer but its pretty expensive, I've found that the Walmarts have pretty good selection, as long as I can get some Guiness and Duvel I'm pretty happy...
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mindmetoo



Joined: 02 Feb 2004
PostPosted: Sun May 29, 2005 9:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Zyzyfer wrote:
But seriously, the local beers are pretty crappy, but they make some decent little wines. Good imports can be had in bars, but different areas have different prices.


Ever try that 3,000 won bottle of Jinro red errr wine?
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Saxiif



Joined: 15 May 2003
Location: Seongnam
PostPosted: Sun May 29, 2005 9:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
mindmetoo wrote:
Zyzyfer wrote:
But seriously, the local beers are pretty crappy, but they make some decent little wines. Good imports can be had in bars, but different areas have different prices.


Ever try that 3,000 won bottle of Jinro red errr wine?

I prefer the 3,000 won pear champagne personally Very Happy
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JongnoGuru



Joined: 25 May 2004
Location: peeing on your doorstep
PostPosted: Sun May 29, 2005 10:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Saxiif wrote:
mindmetoo wrote:
Zyzyfer wrote:
But seriously, the local beers are pretty crappy, but they make some decent little wines. Good imports can be had in bars, but different areas have different prices.