Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Pyongshin Sangja]

Was going to add this as a reply to the 'Big Rock' thread, but thought it might be better as an adjunct...

All this talk about Bog (sorry, Freudian slip...) Rock cries out for some balance. Big Rock WAS indeed one of the best beers produced in Canada in recent memory. However, today's Big Rock (Trad and McNally's excepted) is nothing like the 'good ol' days... more on that later.

For those of you craving a real microbrew/craft Pale Ale, there is one that has been in Korea for nearly 8 months already, also from Alberta, and available at many of the fine hostelries/drinkeries discerning inbibers frequent.
While I am glad to see that we here in the Land of The Morning Jackhammer have another better brew to add to the zymurgystic mix, it looks to me as though Big Rock is riding in on the coat-tails of this other fine product: ALLEY KAT FULL MOON PALE ALE.
I may be wrong, and if so, I shall atone in ways as yet undefined, but I feel that this indeed so, after conversations I have had with friends back in Canada... Anyhow, I would like people to know that fine Canadian microbrew has been available here for a while and if you have not tried it yet, please do so and compare.
Now, Alley Kat does NOT have the variety of beer offerings here that Big Rock does, and I wish they did (although they produce 6 regular and 2 or more seasonal beers back in the GWN), and for that I applaud the Big Rock initiative. Big Rock is also to be commended for taking a Pub approach, although that does limit the overall placement of the product. And, I think ANY good non-mainstream/big brewery beer deserves to be made available here; I would just like people to be aware that this was not the first, and - head-to-head (pun intended)- as far as Pale Ales go, Alley Kat rulz.
So, back to the elaboration I alluded to earlier.
Big Rock, when it first made it's appearance in the mid-80's, was the best beer around. Full stop. Traditional Ale rapidly became my favourite tipple, followed by McNally's Extra Ale (just right for those cold winter nights) and then the Cold Cock Winter Porter ( addictively rich and satisfying...alas, no more...). The XO Lager was a fave at all house parties and sports events (also no more; replaced by an abomination called Alberta Genuine Draft- can you say 'pandering to mediocrity...?).
Big Rock's first Brewmaster was a man named Bernd Pieper who really knew his stuff. His brews were distinctive, tasty, and daring. Unfortunately he left in the late 90's...perhaps he didn't fit into Big Rock's plans to expand toward the middle of the market as befitting their new status as a large 'regional' - rather than local - brewer; the 'micro' was being diluted somewhat, and a larger 'standard' beer market was being courted. I believe they hired some people from *gasp*choke*cough* Molson's to 'retool' the marketing; we old-time Big Rock aficionados knew something was up when they introduced 'screw-cap' bottles...truly a step away from their 'outsider' cachet.
To make long story short, and due in part to the fact that the opening of the Alberta Liquor retailing system to more privatization meant a flood of all kinds of beers from the world at large, Big Rock is now comfortably settled in the middle of the pack: not Labatts, but not a microbrew either.
They still make some good beer (all a matter of personal taste, I know...), and cannot be really compared to the big-brewery swill; given my druthers, I'll still drink Big Rock over any Korean beer. But, they are not the only choice...if we want to make sure that even more quality beer variety makes its way into Korea, we should keep up the quaffing of such above-average products.
This post is in no way meant to denigrate other beers - although certain business decicions can be questioned - as the world is a big place and people have different priories and tastes. However, since we are entering a new era in libation availability re. the Korean market, and all imported draft ales are pioneers, I think we should give credit where credit is due.
Sorry if I offended any sensibilities; not my intention. Anyone for a chat about it over a beer?

[discostar23]

my friend had the alley cat last night at 3 alley. She thought it was the best beer she had had in korea.

I personally prefer moosehead (also available now)

[ajgeddes]

[princess]

I know where to find Erdinger...on tap...^^

[Boodleheimer]

[mishlert]

[Zyzyfer]

[Pyongshin Sangja]

That is the best thing I have ever written.

[butlerian]

The microbrews at the Platinum restaurant in Gangnam are good.

[Kimchieluver]

Anyone seen Sleeman's Honey Brown floating around?

[kermo]

Sorry, this is going to come off as uber-n00b, but does anyone know where to get Newcastle Brown Ale in Hongdae?

[mack the knife]

I don't know nuthin' 'bout no Alley Kat Full Moon Pale, but Full Moon Pale Rye from Real Ale Brewing Co. in Texas kicks so much ass they regularly have to tie it to a chair and beat it senseless just to keep it in line.

[rockstarsmooth]

i have heard that it's possible to get unibroue beers in seoul, la fin du monde, maudite, and ephemere... if it's true...whew! let me know where!
a tall glass of green apple ephemere would go down so nicely...
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right now i'm listening to: robert pollard - serious bird woman (you turn me on)

[kermo]

[spliff]

Guinness is available all over, why drink anything else?