Kooksoondang, Limited Release of 'First Brew Made with 2022 Fresh Rice' Makgeolli

Premium Makgeolli Made from Freshly Harvested New Rice Available Only in Autumn
20,000 Bottles Limited Production at Kooksoondang Hoengseong Brewery Using Hoengseong Eosajinmi New Rice from Gangwon-do

[Asia Economy Reporter Eunmo Koo] Kooksoondang announced on the 7th that it will release a limited edition of 20,000 bottles of its premium draft Makgeolli, ‘2022 Hepssal-ro Bijeun Cheotsul’ (First Sake Brewed with 2022 New Rice).

Since 2009, Kooksoondang has been offering ‘Hepssal-ro Bijeun Cheotsul,’ a Makgeolli brewed with that year’s newly harvested rice, as a limited product for 14 consecutive years. For the production of the 2022 Hepssal-ro Bijeun Cheotsul, more than 3 tons of ‘Eosajinmi,’ a rice from Hoengseong, Gangwon-do, was used.

The 2022 Hepssal-ro Bijeun Cheotsul was brewed at Kooksoondang’s Hoengseong Brewery using the local rice, Hoengseong Eosajinmi, to maximize the characteristics of the clean region of Hoengseong, Gangwon-do. Hoengseong Eosajinmi is cultivated with a large temperature difference between day and night, fertile soil, and clear water, resulting in excellent rice flavor. Additionally, it was brewed using an eco-friendly method called raw rice fermentation, which involves grinding raw rice into powder, thereby reducing energy consumption and minimizing carbon dioxide emissions.

The alcohol content is 7%, higher than regular Makgeolli, featuring a rich flavor, and the volume is 750ml. To preserve the fresh taste of the new rice Makgeolli as much as possible, glass bottles were used as containers.

Hepssal-ro Bijeun Cheotsul is brewed with freshly harvested new rice, retaining the unique carbonation of draft Makgeolli and allowing consumers to enjoy the soft and fresh taste and aroma of the new rice. Due to its symbolism and flavor, which can only be tasted once a year in autumn when new rice is harvested, it has gained popularity among enthusiasts who eagerly await its release, and it has sold out every year.

A Kooksoondang official explained, “We have been releasing the first sake brewed with new rice every autumn as a vintage concept for 14 years to provide consumers with novelty and enjoyment. This Makgeolli, brewed with new rice, also allows people to experience the ancestral drinking culture that shared the joy of harvest.”

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