Enjoy the fall locations for Korean craft beer. In this post, we share the best places for fall colors and cool brews.
Autumn in South Korea
Autumn is the best season in Korea. The season is marked by pleasant weather with high clouds and low pollution. The rice fields and other crops will be harvested, and families will celebrate Chuseok. Then the trees will begin to change color.
Gingko trees will drop their pungent fruit and then turn a bright yellow. Maples will follow with colors ranging from orange to red. Oaks and chestnuts will also drop their nuts and leaves. Before we know it, only the pine trees will remain in color, which means winter and snow are right around the corner.
Korean Fall Craft Beers Spots
What is a beer lover supposed to do in autumn in Korea? Where should one go to enjoy the season and some tasty brews? Osan Craft Beer Club (OCBC) and Pyeongtaek Craft Beer Society (PCBS) have compiled a few suggestions. Please add any of your own suggestions to this post and be sure to check out both of our groups on Facebook and Instagram. Links are provided later.
Let’s start in the north since fall colors will begin to appear north of Seoul and in Gangwon-do in mid-September. After that, we will work our way South. That’s right, this blog includes locations across South Korea and not only Seoul or Busan.
Please note leaf color dates are estimates…we are all patiently waiting for the leaf people to release this year’s fall color schedule. Each year a new fall foliage map gets released and you will want to cross-reference the dates in this post with the estimated dates based on current weather.
In addition to sharing what craft beer locations to visit in the fall, we will also mention nearby attractions so that you can mix and match your travel plans with your craft beer plans.
Sokcho, Gangwon-do
This is the premier spot for autumn hiking and color exploration, but it is also the first area to change colors and is extremely busy, especially on weekends.
- Colors begin: 29 September (TBD)
- Peak colors: 21 October (TBD)
- Nearby attractions: Seoraksan National Park (a few different entrances, best to visit during the week)
CraftRoot Brewing
070-8872-1001
Copy and paste phone numbers into Naver Maps to get directions
Follow the Craftroot Instagram
Mont Beer
033-636-9010
Copy and paste phone numbers into Naver Maps to get directions
Follow the Mont Beer Instagram
Pyeongchang, Gangwon-do
The White Crow brewery is, in my opinion, one of the best breweries in the country and is situated in a beautiful valley, surrounded by trees and farmland. It is quiet and has wide open spaces for kids, adults, and pets to frolic. And the beer is outstanding. Be sure to try the fall version of Freebird and the new Chillhops collab.
- Colors begin: 4 October
- Peak colors: 17 October
- Nearby attractions: Pyeongchang Botanic Garden, Welli Hilli Resort, Phoneix Resort, Yongpyong Resort.
White Crow Brewing
033-333-1201
Copy and paste phone numbers into Naver Maps to get directions
Hangul Address
강원 평창군 방림면 고원로 65
A split menu of four seasonal beers and their flagship four brews offers an excellent variety to showcase their craft and to highlight ingredients grown in the region (sampler flights are available for both!). The water comes from a well drilled on site, providing a crisp, clean slate to build on for both their brewing and the fantastic cooking that comes out of the Brewerys kitchen. Poutine, pizza, and fish and chips are the big 3 to name amongst others, that were each prepared in the finest form many of us have had in a long time, or ever in Korea. Spending hours at this place is too easy, some might say... White Crow has been open since 2019 and has grown in popularity and notoriety quite fast, but is clearly just getting started. They often host events and recently concluded a food-collaboration partnership series which Im sure we will see more events like it soon. If you can only spend a day in this region, make it a long one, but we highly recommend you stay in a hotel or pension nearby - Welli Hilli, Dunnae, and some Camping/Pensions offer you a variety of options to spend the night. The closer to White Crow, the better!
Follow the White Crow Brewing Instagram
Gapyeong-si, Gyeonggi-do
This location is the closest to Seoul and is home to several small attractions and one large brewery.
- Colors begin: 15 October
- Peak colors: 20 October
- Nearby attractions: Garden of the Morning Calm, Jathyanggi Pureunsup Arboretum, Petite France, Edelweiss Swiss Theme Park
Kraemerlee Brewing Company
0507-1309-5977
Copy and paste phone numbers into Naver Maps to get directions
Hangul Address
경기 가평군 상면 청군로 429
Great beer, food, and beer mugs and glasses. We ordered the pilsner and stout
Follow the Kraemer Lee Instagram
Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
This destination will scratch your history itch for fall colors, history, and amazing craft beer. Gyeongju is home to many historic structures, tombs, and museums. It is also nestled between some mountains and has excellent, open views.
- Colors begin: 20 October
- Peak colors: 1 November
- Nearby attractions: Gyeongju National Museum, Gyeongju National Park, several royal tombs, Bomun Lake.
Whasoo Brewery
0507-1391-8015
Copy and paste phone numbers into Naver Maps to get directions
Follow the Whasoo Brewery Instagram
Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do
This southernmost destination will start its colors later but will have the most gingko trees. Be sure to explore the Hanok Village. Do it while wearing rented hanbok for a fun day. Food and snacks in the village are tasty and the Nomadic beers are handcrafted, hard to find anywhere else in Korea, and very good.
- Colors begin: 30 October
- Peak colors: 5 November
- Nearby attractions: Jeonju Hanok Village, Jaman Mural Village, Gyeonggijeon, Jeondong Cathedral, PNB choco pies.
Nomadic Brewing
063-902-3924
Copy and paste phone numbers into Naver Maps to get directions
Hangul Address
전북 전주시 완산구 전라감영3길 12-10
This place is incredible. Jeonju is one of the most interesting and culture-rich cities Ive yet seen. The Hanok Village area feels like a more intimate little brother to the Suwon-Fortress, but with more quirky little winding alleys and so much life. The surrounding area has beautiful misty hills as well. Nomadic Beer Garden is located right at the edge of Hanok Village and has an ultra friendly staff, wonderful array of food on the menu, and a constantly rotating line-up of exceptional and truly unique craft beers. Cannot recommend this city and this brewery enough. Hidden gems for sure.
Follow the Nomadic Brewing Instagram
Follow the Nomadic Beer Garden in Hanok Village on Instagram
Kimchi Rednecks Interview with Nomadic Brewing
Who are we?
We are craft beer lovers who live and work in South Korea. You can learn more about craft beer in Korea by joining or following us on Facebook or Instagram. Learn more below!
Osan Craft Beer Club
A social group at and near Osan AB. OCBC tries to meet weekly and loves exploring local and distant beer destinations.
Pyeongtaek Craft Beer Society
A social group in Pyeongtaek and near USAG Humphreys. PCBS loves to sample local and import beers and post descriptive descriptions of these beers.
Mike Brown retired from the Air Force, holds a Master’s in Business Administration, and is a co-founder of the Osan Craft Beer Club. Mr. Brown worked as a Korean language analyst and translator and currently lives with his family in South Korea.
As a leader of the Osan Craft Beer Club, Mike Brown brings together casual beer lovers and advanced craft connoisseurs to share knowledge of the craft beer industry in South Korea.
Additionally, he works with breweries, distributors, and the community to support and promote the growing craft beer scene across South Korea.
