Seoul Brewery

What Seoul Brewery does

Seoul Brewery is a privately held South Korean craft brewery founded in 2018 and headquartered in Seongsu-dong, Seoul. The company operates two direct-to-consumer taprooms — a flagship multi-floor cultural complex in Seongsu combining brewery, brewpub, cafe, and event space, and a secondary taproom in Hapjeong — and runs an extensive international export operation distributing kegs and cans across Asia (Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong), Europe (Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, Finland, Portugal, Lithuania, Italy), the United States, and New Zealand through regional importers.

The brewery's core product portfolio spans year-round beers (Seoul Rice Lager brewed with Gyeongbokgung rice from Seoul's only rice farm, Kraftwerk Pils developed with CAMBA Bavaria, Pale Blue Dot NEIPA, Robust Porter, Salinger Rye IPA, and the original Gold Rush California Common), seasonal releases (the Seoulvignon sour series featuring Korean fruits including white grape, bokbunja ruby, Korean melon & perilla, and watermelon & pink pepper), specialty Imperial Stouts and Porters (ranging 8.8-11.5% ABV), and a wild/spontaneous fermentation program using indigenous Korean yeasts and locally sourced agricultural ingredients with oak barrel aging. A defining element of the business is its prolific international collaboration program, with documented partnerships spanning 40+ breweries across Iceland, the USA, Japan, Denmark, Germany, Portugal, Italy, Poland, Greece, Norway, Singapore, and South Korea, frequently paired with the ART CRAFT PROJECT commissioning artists for label artwork.

Monetization is split across four streams: on-site taproom sales (draught, cans, food, and space rental for corporate events and pop-ups at the Seongsu compound), direct-to-consumer e-commerce through the proprietary online shop and third-party platforms such as Daily Shot, domestic wholesale, and international wholesale export. Seoul Brewery has accumulated industry recognition including 2024 Untappd Community Awards (6 Gold, 3 Silver, 1 Bronze across NEIPA, Double IPA, Porter, Sour, Session IPA, and German Pilsner categories), Japan Brewers Cup 2024 Dark Beer 1st Prize and 2025 2nd Prize for Robust Porter, KIBA 2020 and 2023 medals, Korea Design Award 2023, and 2025 Korea Liquor Awards double Grand Prize for Modulor Rustic Farmhouse Ale and Matcha Coco Stout.

Name

Seoul Brewery

Legal name

SEOUL BREWERY

Website

https://seoulbrewery.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Seoul Brewery is a South Korean craft brewery founded in 2018 that produces a diversified portfolio of IPAs, sours, wild ales, and stouts for domestic taproom sales and export to 12+ countries across Asia, Europe, the US, and Oceania.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Craft Beer

NAICS

Breweries (31212), Beverage Manufacturing (3121), Beer, Wine, and Liquor Retailers (445320), Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) (722410), Beer and Ale Merchant Wholesalers (424810)

SIC

Malt Beverages (2082), Beverages (2080), Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810), Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180)

akta.pro primary industry

Beer Brewing & Craft Brewing (AFAFAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Beer Brewing & Brands (CRADAIAA), Brewpubs & Taprooms (On-site Beer Service) (THAFALAA), Beer, Brewery & Craft Beverage Tastings (THAJAGAE)

Keywords

• Craft beer production
• Wild fermented beer
• Craft beer exports
• Beer taproom operations
• International collaboration brews

Headquarters

HQ city

Mapo

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. On-site Taproom Sales: Direct sales of draught and canned beers to consumers at the company's Seongsu and Hapjeong taproom locations. Food, non-alcoholic beverages, and merchandise are also sold on-site. The spaces generate revenue through space rental for private events and corporate gatherings.
2. Direct-to-Consumer Online Shop: Sales of canned and bottled beers, collaboration brews, and merchandise directly to consumers through the company's online store.
3. Wholesale Distribution (Domestic & International): Bulk sales of kegs and cans to wholesale partners, including domestic wholesalers and international importers in Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Germany, Denmark, Netherlands, Finland, Portugal, Lithuania, Italy, USA, and New Zealand. Collaboration beers with international breweries are distributed through these channels.
4. Space Rental and Event Services: Revenue from renting out the multi-floor Seongsu venue for pop-up events, corporate functions, workshops, and other private gatherings, including custom F&B catering packages.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Seoul Brewery brews and sells craft beer across year-round, seasonal, wild/spontaneous fermented, and international collaboration styles, with a strong emphasis on using local Korean agricultural ingredients. It operates two taprooms in Seoul (Seongsu and Hapjeong) for direct consumer sales, runs an online store, distributes wholesale domestically and internationally to 12+ countries, and rents out its multi-floor Seongsu cultural complex for events, pop-ups, workshops, and corporate functions.

Product overview

Seoul Brewery is a craft brewery with a diversified product portfolio centered on year-round core beers, seasonal releases, and special collaboration brews. The core year-round lineup includes SEOUL RICE LAGER (using Gyeongbokgung rice from Seoul's only rice farm), KRAFTWERK PILS (German Pils in partnership with CAMBA Bavaria), SALINGER RYE IPA, PALE BLUE DOT IPA (NEIPA), GOLD RUSH CALIFORNIA COMMON (their first beer since 2018), and ROBUST PORTER. Seasonal offerings include the SEOULVIGNON sour series (featuring Korean/local fruits like Korean melon, watermelon, white grape), IPA variants, and the TASTING IN SEASON series using premium seasonal ingredients from Korea. Specialty offerings include Imperial Stouts (ranging 8.8-11.5% ABV with flavors like Matcha Coco, Earl Grey, Midnight Espresso), Porters, and Wild beers fermented with natural yeast. Seoul Brewery also produces extensive collaboration beers with breweries worldwide, and operates a multi-cultural space for events and hospitality.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Seoul Rice Lager Seoul Brewery's signature rice lager brewed with Gyeongbokgung rice from Seoul's only rice farm, blended with German malt and oats. Features crisp, clean flavor with subtle ester notes and rice character. ABV 4.7%. Year-round availability.
• Kraftwerk Pils German Pils developed in collaboration with CAMBA Bavaria. Brewed with German malt and hops using traditional step mashing and extended lagering. Features honey-like malt aromas with floral-herbal finish. ABV 4.8%. Year-round availability.
• Gold Rush California Common Seoul Brewery's first beer, brewed since 2018. Hybrid lager fermented warmer with Lager Yeast for crisp mouthfeel. Features caramel, biscuit malt flavors with herbal and pine hop aromas. ABV 5.1%. Year-round availability.
• Pale Blue Dot IPA New England IPA inspired by Carl Sagan's description of Earth. Features complex hop flavors with five American hops and oat for smooth, juicy character. ABV 6.3%. Year-round availability.
• Salinger Rye IPA Rye IPA featuring orange juice-like citrus freshness balanced with rye's earthy, spicy character. Combines hoppy bitterness with rye's distinctive peppery notes. ABV 5.3%. Year-round availability.
• Robust Porter

Quantifiable outcome

• Seoul Brewery won 6 Gold, 3 Silver, and 1 Bronze medals at the 2024 Untappd Community Awards across multiple beer categories (NEIPA, Imperial/Double IPA, American Porter, Sour, Session IPA, German Pilsner)
• +1 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

50 partnerships are on record, tiered core, key and minor.

• ÅBEN BrewerycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2023Copenhagen-based ÅBEN Brewery collaborated with Seoul Brewery on TROPICAL BREEZE DIPA (ABV 8.5%) — a juicy, citrus, tropical double IPA with lime, pineapple, and mango notes. The collaboration is part of Seoul Brewery's international collaboration beer program and the product is distributed internationally.
• Gorilla Brewing Co.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBusan-based Gorilla Brewing Co. collaborated with Seoul Brewery on SEOUL TO BUSAN EXTRA STOUT (ABV 7.7%), featuring rum-soaked cacao nibs, maple syrup, and winter spices. Also collaborated on DARK SEOUL SOUR ALE (ABV 7.5%).
• Seoul GypsycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSeoul Gypsy, a local Seoul wild yeast specialist, collaborated with Seoul Brewery on SEOUL TERROIR FARMHOUSE ALE (ABV 5.9%), blending Brettanomyces yeast with farmhouse yeast to produce clove spice and lemongrass flavors.
• Elings Craft Beer CompanycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEuropean distribution partner for Seoul Brewery products. Through Elings Craft Beer Company, Seoul Brewery's beers (including collaboration brews with international partners) are available in cans and kegs across Europe through regional tap takeovers, festivals, and TTOs.
• Smidjan BrewerykeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerIcelandic brewery based in Vík, known for IPA, stout, lager, and sour beers inspired by Iceland's nature. Collaborated on ICELANDIC SKYR SOUR — a low-ABV (3.5%) fruit sour using Korean bokbunja (black raspberry), apricot, and vanilla, inspired by Icelandic skyr culture. First-ever collaboration between an Icelandic brewery and Seoul Brewery.
• Finback BrewerykeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrooklyn and Queens, New York-based urban brewery known for artistic sensibility and hazy IPA excellence. Collaborated on VERTICAL CITY HAZY IPA (ABV 6.5%) — capturing the dynamic urban energy of Seoul and New York with Nelson Sauvin, Idaho 7, and El Dorado hops.
• Seven Island BrewerykeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerGreek brewery from Corfu, known for bold Imperial Stouts and barrel-aging experiments. Collaborated on SWEET ISLAND IMPERIAL STOUT (ABV 12.0%) — a Korean dessert reinterpretation using local honey, rice syrup, sesame, and cinnamon.
• Fermentage Brew PubkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerLisbon, Portugal-based craft brewery with a free-spirited, creative brewing philosophy. Collaborated on MOJITO CLUB FRUIT LAGER (ABV 4.0%) — a mojito-style fruit lager with apple mint, lime, and lemon.
• Outer Range BrewingkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSA/France-based craft brewery. Collaborated on SUN KISSED WEST COAST IPA (planned 2026.05 release).
• Stepping Stone Brewing Co.keyStrategic or Co-development PartnerDenmark-based craft brewery. Collaborated on PEACE PIECE FRUIT TEA IPA (planned 2026.05 release).
• 3 Sons Brewing CokeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSA-based craft brewery. Collaborated on EMERALD PALM HAZY IPA (planned 2026.04 release).
• Busa Dei Briganti BrewerykeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerItaly-based craft brewery. Collaborated on ITALIAN JOB IPL (planned 2026.03 release).
• Pinta BrewerykeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerPoland-based craft brewery. Collaborated on DISCO BONG BONG RYE FRUIT SOUR (planned 2026.02 release).
• Craftrock BrewingkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerJapan-based craft brewery. Collaborated on JAM SESSION FRUIT SOUR II (planned 2026.01 release) and JAM SESSION FRUIT SOUR (2024.05 release).
• Teenage BrewingkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on MOLY MORI SOUR IPA (planned 2025.12 release).
• Kyoto Brewing Co.keyStrategic or Co-development PartnerJapan-based brewery from Kyoto. Collaborated on KYOTO TWILIGHT TRIPEL (2025.11 release).
• Sakamichi BrewingkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerJapan-based brewery. Collaborated on SAXOFUNK DOUBLE IPA (2025.11 release).
• Hansharo Beer BrewingkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerJapan Shizuoka Prefecture-based brewery with rich heritage. Collaborated on CHA CHA SOUL HOJICHA MILKSHAKE IPA (2025.08 release) — blending Korean Geumgang wheat and Japanese Hojicha tea with British malt and hops.
• BERGkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerTokyo Shinjuku-based brewery celebrating its 35th anniversary. Collaborated on WESTERLY BREEZE HAZY IPA / 하늬바람 (ABV 5.3%) — a Korean word meaning 'wind from the west', representing a space for rest in busy urban life.
• Sudden Death BrewingkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerGermany-based craft brewery. Collaborated on AD ASTRA NEW ENGLAND IPA (ABV 6.2%) featuring lemon balm, papaya, and citrus with New Zealand hops.
• OphiussakeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on JUICY TWIST FRUIT SOUR (ABV 3.8%) featuring Jeju Hallabong, yuzu, and lemon.
• Beer Brain BrewerykeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerChiba Prefecture, Japan-based emerging craft brewery. Collaborated on APT WEST COAST IPA (ABV 5.6%) featuring classic American hops and Jeju citrus.
• kamerakeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on CHA-MAC FARMHOUSE ALE (ABV 5.7%) — inspired by Japan's Oolong Hai and Korea's somaek culture, using Korean local wheat, spelt, and domestic oolong tea.
• BådinkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorway-based brewery. Collaborated on MATCHA COCO STOUT (ABV 5.9%) — inspired by Norwegian, Korean, and Japanese green tea drinking cultures.
• The 1925 Brewing Co.keyStrategic or Co-development PartnerSingapore-based craft brewery. Collaborated on MAMA LOVES MANGO SOUR (ABV 3.5%) — using mango puree, Jeju apple mango, and green tangerine with tropical fruit and mango aroma.
• Yuya BoyskeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on MILPICOPICO SOUR (ABV 4.5%) — a rice sour using Korean native rice, lactobacillus fermentation, vanilla, cream soda, and lychee aroma.
• Yokohama Bay BrewingkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerYokohama, Japan-based brewery with a goal of making the world's best pilsner. Collaborated on KRAFT BAY WEST COAST PILSNER (ABV 4.8%) — blending Seoul Brewery's Kraftwerk Pils know-how with Yokohama Bay's pilsner expertise.
• Totopia BrewerykeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerJapan-based craft brewery. Collaborated on KANPAI PHOBIA NEW ENGLAND IPA (ABV 6.3%) — twisting Seoul Brewery's Pale Blue Dot IPA recipe, using Gocheok Korean spelt and NZ hops (Rakau, Riwaka, Nectaron, Nelson Sauvin).
• Fukuoka Craft BrewingkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerJapan-based craft brewery. Collaborated on LUCKY SISTER DOUBLE IPA (ABV 7.5%) — featuring Michigan Chinook, Centennial, NZ Motueka & Riwaka hops with triple dry-hopping for lime, tropical, and dank hoppy character.
• Black Tide BrewingkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on PIÑA COCO IPA (ABV 6.5%) and CITY OF PASSION FRUITED GOSE (ABV 4.5%) — the latter also with Westcoast Brewing.
• ÅBEN BrewerycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCopenhagen-based ÅBEN Brewery collaborated with Seoul Brewery on TROPICAL BREEZE DIPA and FRUITY TALES SOUR ALE (ABV 6.2%) — a fruit sour with apricot, mango, and Jeju lemon.
• CAMBA BavariacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman brewing company under BrauKon. Collaborated with Seoul Brewery to develop Kraftwerk Pils — a traditional German Pils brewed with German malt and hops using traditional step mashing and extended lagering.
• The Satellite Brewing Co.keyStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on SEOUL STRAWBERRY IPA (ABV 6.6%) — featuring fresh strawberries, raspberries, hibiscus, vanilla bean, lactose with Vic Secret, Simcoe, and Michigan Copper hops.
• Playground BrewerykeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on WELCOME SUMMER GRISETTE (ABV 4.7%) — a light, sessionable summer grisette.
• Edition DenmarkkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on DANISH BEE(R) KEEPERS SAISON IPA (ABV 6.5%) — featuring raw honey, carrot, ginger, and lemongrass blend tea.
• White Crow BrewingkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on SUNNY SIDE IPA (ABV 6.0%) — a NEIPA with Mosaic, El Dorado, and Talus hops for tropical fruit and citrus character.
• Gamja IslandkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerKorean craft brewery collaboration partner. Collaborated on MAESIL DE POTÀTO (Berliner Weisse with green plum, ABV 3.8%) and SALGURURU IPA: APRICOT & HIBISCUS (ABV 5.8%) — a fruit IPA with sun-ripened apricot and hibiscus.
• SEL RoasterskeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerKorean specialty coffee roaster. Collaborated on COFFEE & PISTACHIO CAKE STOUT (ABV 4.8%) — combining fresh pistachios and specialty coffee.
• Mysterlee Brewing Co.keyStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on LET'S DANCE INDIA PALE LAGER (ABV 5.8%) — a trendy IPL with light malt character and intense hop flavor.
• Westcoast BrewingkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerShizuoka, Japan-based brewery. Collaborated on WEST COAST LOVE HALLABONG IPA (ABV 4.8%) with Jeju Hallabong, and on SUN KISSED COLD IPA (ABV 7.1%) and CITY OF PASSION FRUITED GOSE (also with Black Tide Brewing).
• Time After TimekeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on AFTER LOVE: PEACH SOUR (ABV 6.6%) and AFTER WORK: FESTBIER (ABV 5.8%) — a 100-day fermented festival lager.
• Tap Shop BarminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on BRUTALISM SESSION IPA (ABV 4.8%) — featuring British hops for black tea and pine character with double dry-hopped American hops.
• Cafe JinjungsungminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKorean cafe collaboration. Collaborated on EARL GREY LEMON SOUR (ABV 3.8%) — lactic acid fermented sour with Jeju lemon and Earl Grey tea.
• Sool HousekeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerKorean homebrewing YouTube channel (600K+ subscribers). Collaborated on MODULOR RUSTIC FARMHOUSE ALE (ABV 5.7%) using emmer wheat and Galaxy hops, and MY FAVORITE HOPFENWEISSE (ABV 5.2%).
• ILLANG BrewingkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerMangwon-dong, Seoul-based craft brewery. Collaborated on A DAY OF SEOUL (ABV 5.0%) — a Modern Bitter using Maris Otter malt, East Kent Goldings hops, and open fermentation.
• Keykeykey Tap HouseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on KEY HOUSE PALE ALE (ABV 5.1%) — using Cascade hops exclusively for classic Pale Ale style.
• Hugus Pub (Busan)keyStrategic or Co-development PartnerBusan-based craft beer pub operated by three brewers. Partnered with Seoul Brewery on the seasonal gourmet project series, including 계절미식: 애플망고 칠리 라거 and TASTING IN SEASON: SALTY TOMATO SOUR (ABV 4.2%) using Daejeo Salty tomatoes from Busan.
• Tasting in SeasonkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerPremium seasonal produce curation brand. Core partner for Seoul Brewery's '계절미식 (Tasting in Season)' series — a seasonal beer program using premium, peak-quality fruits and ingredients selected by Tasting in Season to create culinary-inspired craft beers.
• Magpie Brewing Co.keyStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on STARRY NIGHT BLACK LAGER (ABV 6.0%) — featuring rye and cacao nibs for chocolate, coffee, and dark fruit flavors.
• Sundae SchoolkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on SUNDAE SEOUL IPA (ABV 7.0%) — featuring Idaho 7, Simcoe, and Sabro hops with oat flakes and wheat malts.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• ILLANG Brewing: Mangwon-dong (Seoul) craft brewery and direct collaborator with Seoul Brewery on A DAY OF SEOUL; comparable neighborhood Seoul craft brewery targeting the same craft enthusiast consumer.
• Brewlander: Singapore-based Asian craft brewery with regional distribution across Asia; comparable to Seoul Brewery as a Southeast/Northeast Asian craft brand pursuing cross-border retail and on-premise distribution.
• Gorilla Brewing Co. Busan-based Korean craft brewery that has collaborated with Seoul Brewery on SEOUL TO BUSAN EXTRA STOUT and DARK SEOUL SOUR ALE; comparable in craft-style portfolio and Korean craft enthusiast customer base.
• Hand & Malt Brewing Company: Well-known Korean craft brewery producing a wide range of year-round and seasonal beers with strong domestic retail distribution; directly comparable to Seoul Brewery in style diversity, Korean market positioning, and taproom model.
• Verdant Brewing Co. UK-based craft brewery recognized for hazy IPA, sour, and barrel-aged releases with international festival presence; comparable to Seoul Brewery in NEIPA expertise, limited-edition collaboration culture, and Untappd community-driven brand.
• ÅBEN Brewery: Copenhagen-based craft brewery known for IPAs and fruit sours; direct collaboration partner on TROPICAL BREEZE DIPA and FRUITY TALES SOUR ALE, comparable in style focus and international collaboration-driven product strategy.
• Magpie Brewing Co. Seoul-based Korean craft brewery focused on hop-forward and barrel-aged beers; collaborated with Seoul Brewery on STARRY NIGHT BLACK LAGER, sharing a comparable craft enthusiast target audience and Seoul taproom presence.
• Amazing Brewing Company: Korean craft brewery with a broad portfolio of IPAs, sours, and lagers distributed domestically and abroad; comparable to Seoul Brewery in product breadth, domestic wholesale presence, and emphasis on award-winning craft positioning.
• Whasoo Brewing: Korean craft brewery producing hop-forward and barrel-aged beers with a domestic taproom and wholesale model; competes in the same Korean craft premium segment as Seoul Brewery.

Broad incumbents

• Tree House Brewing Company: US craft brewery widely regarded as a top-tier hazy IPA producer with significant taproom revenue and limited retail distribution; comparable to Seoul Brewery in hop-forward premium craft positioning and brewery-as-destination model, though at significantly larger scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/seoulbrewery
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@SEOULBREWERY
• Facebookfacebook.com/seoulbrewery/?locale=ko_KR
• Instagraminstagram.com/seoulbrewery
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/seoul-brewery

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Seoul Brewery