Korean Job Discussion Forums

[bugs]

Thanks for the spicy Koread food thread replies.

Since I love to frequent Asian restaurants in the states, especially Japanese, Chinese, and Korean, I have a lot of opportunities to sample their beer. From Japan, I've tried the Kirin and Sapporo. These are really comparable to the Canadians, but not as good.

From Korea, I've only tried the OB beer. So and so, nothing to write home about. From China, I've tried the Tsing Tao beer; better than OB.

I've also tried the popular Australian beer in the states, Foster which advertises as "Australian for Beer" in the U.S. I'm sure there are better tasting beer the Australians are keeping to themselves.

My personal favorites are Canadian: Molson, Lighthouse, and Labatt. Maybe Koreans don't brew good beer because they have shoju? Any comments?

[Zyzyfer]

Japan has the best smooth beers. It goes downhill(as far as I'm concerned) as you get farther south and west of Japan, and then starts rocking out again when you get to Oz. I personally liked Carlton Cold while I was there, but the big beer is VB. Foster's is like the Aussie version of Coors or something.

[dogbert]

[Tiberious aka Sparkles]

Sapporo and Asahi beer rule! Tsing Tao's not too shabby either. As for the Korean brews, OB is the best of the (subpar) lot.

And don't be fooled if you see Molson Canadian in some big supermarkets; it's the American recipe. You'd be better off buying MGD, which is cheaper and tastes almost the same.

Sparkles*_*

[indytrucks]

Southeast Asia has some of the best beer in Asia, IMHO. Singha, Beer Lao, Angkor, San Mig and Tiger are all great. Korean beer is absolute swill, but I'd say Hite is the most palatable.

[Lakeheader]

Not sure what to tell anyone who is a Molson fan. Your palate is beyond my comprehension. But if anyone out there wants to try some good beer in Seoul, they should visit the German Micro Brewery in Haewha. It is in the same building as Bennigans. You can get some mild German sauasages to be rinsed down by some of the tastiest draft in Seoul. The food isn't cheap but the beer is quite affordable. And there really isn't anythinng like seeing Koreans trying to smile in Leiderhosen.

[mishlert]

When I was living, and teaching in Dresden, Germany I was spoiled when it came to beers. Actually I was double spoiled because the train to Prague is only 3 hours so I had The best of both (beer) worlds.
Mind you, I did not go to Prague only for the beer, but knowing that the local beer was great made it a bonus.

[canuckistan]

Ze Germans make ze best beer

[indytrucks]

[weatherman]

[helly]

For pure variety, (and only from my experience) American microbreweries/craft brews can't be beat. Always something new to try in the pubs.

[Cthulhu]

Ignoring the fact that the best beer in the world comes from Europe (though there are a few select American micros which are up there in quality) and we only focus on Asia, I'd say that Korea is among the worst (they can't even make a stout drinkable). Japan has the best variety in Asia although a lot of their most common brews are below average. On the other hand, a lot of their specialty brews are above average.

As far as the rest of Asia is concerned, Singha is blah but not terrible, as are most South Asian brews. China's Tsingdao is much fresher in Korea than what gets exported to the West, and Tsingdao Gold is extremely good. Singapore makes ABC, which is a decent stout. Sri Lanka makes Lion Stout, possibly the best beer made in Asia. India makes some hoppy lagers, though I haven't tried anything too spectacular. If we leave Asia for a moment, Australia makes some good beers, though I haven't been able to sample many. Coopers Stout is available in Korea and is highly recommended. Fosters is not.

[canuckistan]

Ok, Ok, Belgian beer is pretty good, especially that Maredsous....
at 9% a couple of those and the whole world looks shiny and new again...

[FierceInvalid]

English beer is my favourite overall, but in Asia there are a few good ones to be had. Tsingtao is good. When I was in Tokyo recently I was drinking Asahi Black one night - that was good too. Korean beer sucks but I'm used to it.

The fact that Canadians don't bash Molson and Labatts the way Aussies do Fosters is reason No.137 that I'm occasionally ashamed of my Canadianness. I'll second the recommendation for Cooper's Stout, and VB is pretty good too (also had that in Tokyo).

[dogbert]