Seoul, Chungcheong, and Jeolla... CU Collaborates with Local Breweries to Launch 'Local Beer'

Production in Nonhyeon, Gapyeong, Chuncheon, Eumseong, and Sunchang
Contributing to Local Job Creation and Economic Revitalization

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] CU announced on the 30th that it has launched a local beer series in collaboration with small and medium-sized breweries representing each region under the concept of 'Drink Local.'

Starting with five types?Seoul Pale Ale, Gyeonggi Wit Ale, Gangwon Ale, Chungcheong Session IPA, and Jeolla Lager?beers from Gyeongsang and Jeju will also be introduced next month. The price is 3,500 won per can, with a promotional offer of 10,000 won for four cans.

These beers were developed at breweries located in Nonhyeon-dong, Seoul; Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province; Chuncheon, Gangwon Province; Jeungpyeong, Chungbuk; and Sunchang, Jeonbuk. Seoul Pale Ale is a beer with biscuit, caramel flavors, and fruity aromas, while Gyeonggi Wit Ale is a wheat beer emphasizing a light body and clean finish. Gangwon Ale and Chungcheong Session IPA are richly infused with refreshing citrus scents. Jeolla Lager uses domestically grown hops and is a Munich Helles style with a sweet honey taste.

While drinking local beers that reflect regional characteristics is common overseas, in Korea, the activation of local beers is still insufficient due to the absence of representative products, low awareness, and limited distribution channels. CU expects that by selling local beers from an ESG perspective, it can help the continuous growth of regional breweries and significantly contribute to local job creation and economic revitalization.

The newly launched products feature QR codes printed on them to promote each regional brewery and can also be used as promotional channels linked with local governments in the future. Additionally, the use of recyclable cans offers environmental benefits such as reducing carbon emissions.

Lee Seung-taek, MD of BGF Retail's Beverage Food Team, said, "Since social distancing, home drinking has become a major consumption trend in convenience stores, and consumer needs for craft beer are becoming very diverse. We will enhance customer satisfaction through various local beers from different regions and actively promote win-win growth with small and medium-sized local breweries."

Meanwhile, CU's craft beer sales have shown explosive growth, recording 87.4% growth in 2018 compared to the previous year, 220.4% in 2019, 498.4% in 2020, and 255.2% this year. The share of domestic beers in total sales is also approaching 30%.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.