International Spirits
Even fans of soju or wine would have liked the premium beers presented at JJ Mahoney’s last Thursday night. Eight different Belgian beer breweries participated in a beer sampling event arranged by the Belgian Embassy. Each brewing company presented two different kinds of beer, so a total of 16 different beers could be sampled by rapt attendees.
The event started at 5pm, beginning with each brewing company giving a brief introduction about its history, award-winning beers, and distinct tastes, followed by actual tasting of the beer in signature glasses. Unlike beer-drinking practices in Korea, Belgian beer is drunk in its own, one-of-a-kind glass.
The Belgian breweries presented have been family-run for generations, with some dating back to 1471. They all produce a wide range of flavored beers. Some beers had a high alcohol content, up to almost 10 percent, and some had a very refreshing citrus flavor, made with orange peel or grapefruit.
Beer was not the only ingredient to make guests happy at the event. Traditional Belgian food was also offered at the end of the event, including famous Belgian waffles, and Belgian fries that have nothing to do with France.
The event was particularly enjoyable not just because of the food and beer, but because the brewmasters there were very friendly, personable, and welcoming, relating tales of their beer’s history and anecdotes from the brewing industry.
Some of the beer companies already had branches in Hong Kong, and others were opening up beer bars in Japan. Some potential Korean buyers were present in the event as well, and deals were made.
The event was especially noteworthy because right now in Korea, specifically in hot places like Itaewon and Gangnam, craft beer and premium beer are in high demand by Koreans, who are looking further afield than the couple of domestic options for beer.