Smooth and Easy! Drinks Encountered at the Liquor Expo

Beer, Makgeolli, and Wine!

The haven for drink enthusiasts, the 2022 Seoul International Liquor & Wine Expo, concluded on the 2nd. As the largest liquor expo in Korea, over 300 domestic and international liquor and food companies participated, opening booths and meeting visitors. With pre-booked and registered visitors surpassing 30,000, the expo was popular even before it opened. Drincut editors also attended. Marveling at the booths filling the spacious COEX Hall A and the array of unfamiliar drinks, we almost blurted out our inner thoughts ("Give me everything from here to here"). Three editors introduce four carefully selected drinks from the expo, struggling to restrain their desires.

Lindemans Kriek

Lindemans Lambic Kriek. Alcohol content 3.5%

After first encountering Lindemans Lambic at last year's Transporter Beer Market, it instantly became a favorite beer. 'Lambic' refers to naturally fermented beer made by intentionally exposing wort to the air. Lindemans, located in Brussels, Belgium, has been producing Lambic beer for seven generations and was also present at this year's liquor expo. Like a sparrow that cannot pass a mill, we eagerly entered and chose the cherry-flavored Lambic beer, Lindemans Kriek. Opening the champagne-like cork and pouring it into a glass reveals a beer with a surprisingly deep red color that captures attention. The taste is closer to fruit juice than beer. It retains the sweet and sour aroma and flavor of cherry flesh, not an artificial sweetness. This is a sweet and pleasant beer that pairs perfectly with summer.

PS Shine Sparkling

PS Shine Sparkling. Alcohol content 5%

Sinabro Winery, which produces wine from grapes grown in Yeongdong, Chungbuk, is famous for its white wine 'Sinabro White Cheongsu' made from the grape variety 'Cheongsu.' At the expo, they introduced a new wine made from Shine Muscat called PS Shine Sparkling. The label featuring a cute character catches the eye, and from the moment the cap is opened, a sweet aroma wafts out. It has a sweet scent similar to demi-soda grape flavor. As a wine made from Shine Muscat, it subtly blends the freshness of grapes with the sweet taste reminiscent of mango. With a relatively low alcohol content, sweet flavor, and lively carbonation, it truly feels like drinking a grape-flavored soda. It’s a perfect wine to lightly accompany brunch.

Bartender’s Makgeolli

Bartender's Makgeolli. Alcohol content 14%

The traditional liquor subscription platform 'Suldamhwa' launched Bartender’s Makgeolli. This makgeolli is specially made for cocktails, allowing it to be mixed with other ingredients. Since it is the original makgeolli without diluted alcohol content, the full flavor remains even when mixed. Its texture is between yogurt and regular makgeolli, not overly thick. It has almost no carbonation and goes down smoothly. While Baekgeolli has a slightly tangy style, Bartender’s Makgeolli is less sour. Overall, it is neither strongly sweet nor sour but never bland. After a sip, a pleasant aroma of fragrant rice lingers. As a base liquor for cocktails, it pairs well with any ingredient, offering a clean taste like a blank canvas. It is said to be delicious when mixed with orange juice and sparkling water, so keep that in mind.

ciao canned wine

(From left) Sangria (6.9%), Secco (10.5%), Moscato (8%), Lemon Peach (5%)

Four types of Italian canned wine were also available at this liquor expo. This charming and lively canned wine is called Ciao. Among seven varieties?Sangria, Secco, Moscato, Lemon Peach, Rosato, Mojito, and Merlot?we selected four. The volume is 200ml, but the alcohol content ranges from about 5 to 10 degrees, which is not low. Sangria, Moscato, and Lemon Peach are wines with sweet fruity aromas, while Secco is a dry wine with a modern and sophisticated feel. Since there is no risk of breakage and the size is compact, it’s a great product to bring on camping or picnics.

This year’s liquor expo was a success☆

Photo by Seo Jeongjun, guest photographer

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