The most popular makgeolli in Korea is “Jangsoo Draft Makkoli,” made by the Seoul Takju MAF Association. Seoul Takju MAF Association is a group of 51 breweries in Seoul. Founded about 60 years ago, it has become a beloved brand, accounting for more than 50% of the total makgeolli sold in Korea.

But in Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do, there is a makgeolli brewery with a longer history and a ride-or-die fanbase: Jipyeong Brewery. Jipyeong Brewery began as a local brewery in Jipyeong-ri, Yangpyeong-gun, in 1925. Today, it has the second largest market share for makgeolli in Korea, behind Jangsoo Draft Makkoli.

Even in the early 2000s, Jipyeong Brewery was a local secret of Jipyeong-gun, known only in the region and some discerning makgeolli enthusiasts. Jipyeong Brewery became famous nationwide in 2010, when its present president, Kim Gi-hwan, inherited the business from his father and built a nationwide distribution network.

With the skyrocketing popularity of Jipyeong Makgeolli Rice, Jipyeong Brewery had to build another plant to catch up to demand. Today, Jipyeong Makgeolli is produced in Chuncheon in Gangwon State and Cheonan in Chungcheongnam-do.

But even today, the old appearance of the Jipyeong Brewery building remains in Yangpyeong. The first building that housed Jipyeong Brewery was designated as a Registered Cultural Heritage, both in recognition of Jipyeong Brewery’s history and its role in the Battle of Chipyong-ni (Jipyeong-ri), an important engagement during the Korean War. Specifically, the fact that the French UN forces who participated in the battle established their command center here served as the basis for its designation as a registered cultural heritage site.

To see more of the area, visit the small shops that only sell Jipyeong Brewery makgeolli. Here, you can buy Jipyeong Brewery’s flagship products, such as Jipyeong Makgeolli Rice and the 1925 Makgeolli. It is also the only place that still offers wheat makgeolli, which dates from a period when rice shortages made it difficult to use rice in makgeolli.

The most popular variant of makgeolli in Korea is the “draft makgeolli,” which retains the microorganisms used for brewing. The microorganisms add to the makgeolli’s flavor but also make transportation and long-term storage difficult. Because of that, it is rather difficult to sample makgeolli from around Korea in one place, save for some breweries with nationwide distribution networks.

If time permits, you can create a unique and fun itinerary that takes you to makgeolli breweries and shops across Korea. If you visit restaurants offering makgeolli in Korea, you will likely find at least one local makgeolli there. Another option is to visit supermarkets and convenience stores. Alternatively, you can visit the breweries and sample the makgeolli while listening to guided tours.

For instance, in Pocheon, Gyeonggi-do, you can find Sansawon, a liquor museum run by Baesangmyun Brewery. Baesangmyun Brewery is named after the late Bae Sang-myun, the founder of Kooksoondang (a traditional Korean liquor company founded in 1983) and an important figure in the history of traditional Korean liquor in modern times. The brewery is run by his children. Sansawon details the history of Mr. Bae, methods of brewing traditional Korean liquor, the use of traditional Korean liquor in traditional festivals, and the types of liquor. You can also sample traditional liquor there. The corridor, with its rows and rows of earthenware pots, is a good place to take a picture.

Baedari Distillery in Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, opened its doors in 1915 and has more than a hundred years of history. Baedari Makgeolli, produced here in the past, is said to have been a favorite of former president Park Chung-hee. In 1975, during the operation by the fourth-generation owner, it was merged with another brewery in Goyang-si and has since been operating under the name Goyang Takju Joint Brewery. Later, separate from Goyang Takju Joint Brewery, the fifth and sixth-generation owners reestablished Baedari Distillery. Baedari Distillery produces liquor using local specialties such as Gawaji rice from Goyang, while Baedari Makgeolli is produced by the Goyang Takju Joint Brewery.

Another hundred-year brewery is Daegang Brewery in Danyang-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do. Now at its fourth generation, Daegang Brewery is known for using quality underground water from the foot of Sobaeksan Mountain and 100-year-old traditional earthenware pots for fermentation. Daegang Brewery also offers interesting brews made with local specialties, such as black soybeans and black raspberry. Daegang Brewery has a history with former president Roh Moo-hyun. When President Roh visited Danyang in 2005, he drank six cups of Daegang makgeolli in one sitting, catapulting the brewery to nationwide fame.

Deoksan Brewery in Jincheon, Chungcheongbuk-do, has been in operation since 1929. As the oldest brewery in Jincheon, its historic building still has old brewing equipment on exhibition. The building was featured in the KBS show Love on a Jujube Tree, which ran for 17 years since 1990, and appeared in Sikgaek, a comic series by Huh Young-man.

Haechang Brewery in Haenam-gun, Jeollanam-do, has become very popular in recent years. The brewery is housed in a Japanese-style house with a beautiful garden, which was once the house of a colonial landowner during the Japanese Occupation. Haechang Makgeolli is made with sweet rice, which gives the brew a sweet flavor and thick texture. The brewery offers a wide range of brews, from the 6% ABV basic makgeolli to high-end lineups at 9% and 12% ABV. The highest-grade makgeolli produced by Haechang Brewery has an ABV of 18%.

It is quite easy to change things up when making makgeolli. Its flavor and fragrance may change depending on the type of rice or wheat, the type of yeast culture used, and even the water. Some makgeolli add aspartame and other additives for flavor. In other words, hundreds of different types of makgeolli can be created just by changing the basic ingredients.

In more recent years, makgeolli products catering to different tastes and young people began to emerge: Examples include sweet rice makgeolli, which has a sweeter flavor and thicker texture, and sparkling makgeolli, which uses an alternative brewing technique to create more carbonation. Some makgeolli products include fruit flavors, and there is even a makgeolli with espresso.