[Interview] The Delight of Drinking Upside Down, Shall We Taste It at Arc Beer?

Interview with Kim Woojin, Vice President of Korea Craft Beer

Q. Hello. Could you please give us a brief introduction?

Hello. I am Woojin Kim, Vice President of Korea Craft Beer. I am in charge of brewing and factory operations.

Q. I heard there aren’t many in Korea, and I’m also curious about how you became a brewmaster.

Actually, the term "brewmaster" feels a bit like "Taekwondo master" (laughs). I don’t think it’s an appropriate title for a brewer like me who has about 10 years of experience. By chance, I had a great mentor and teacher from whom I learned a lot and had opportunities to study. Above all, I have a team that I have been working closely with for 8 to 9 years now, so I am doing my part as a brewer. As time passed, it’s more fitting to call me a head brewer or senior brewer running a small brewery. Since I was young, I have made a living from food and drink, starting with cooking, traditional liquor, and wine. I started brewing beer when I took charge of the craft beer project at the company I joined through my connection with wine.

Q. Do you have any recommended beers and surprisingly good food pairings?

It’s called Zzuran, a seasoning used to stir-fry beef aorta, known as Zzuran Simgwan. In the Gyeongsang-do region, it’s also called "Oddeuregi," but not many people might know it. You might wonder why I’m recommending such a hardcore snack, but I was surprised by how well it pairs with beer when I tried it recently.

Q. I’m curious about the taste!

The chewy texture and the aroma of the seasoning, roasted as if charred over fire, invite you to drink beer. In summer like this, it pairs best with slightly sour Belgian Wit, K?lsch, or Munich Lager. This is a menu recommended by our brewing team for the brewery tour starting again this summer. It’s delicious, but because of the smoky flavor, we are seriously considering grilling it outdoors.

Q. What types of alcohol do you usually enjoy?

I try to enjoy a wide variety of alcoholic beverages as much as possible. I believe that there is a suitable drink for each occasion. These days, I’m into the taste of agave-based spirits like tequila, mezcal, and Raicilla. Except for diluted soju or vodka, which have little aroma, I tend to enjoy drinking most types of alcohol.

Q. There are many craft beers, but what are the strengths and charms unique to Ark Beer?

The strength of craft beer is its diversity, and nothing tastes better than what you buy near your home! However, Ark’s unique strength lies in drinkability and balance, which are the most important aspects of all beers. Our original lineup beers are approaching their 10th anniversary. Ark Beer’s goal is to make a beer that you want to reach for every evening, not seasonal or trendy products.

Q. The new product Upper Dipper has also been released. Could you briefly introduce it?

As the name suggests, it’s a beer you drink by tipping it upside down. Please focus on the drinking method first. To maximize the flavor, it is a minimally filtered beer, so if you mix the yeast well at the bottom and drink it, you can experience the true Ark with an “Ahk!” sound. From the first impression, the powerful Upper Dipper creates a cool atmosphere just by looking at it with the brand’s main color blue as the background, and especially features an expression with eyes, showing a stylish and unique visual.

Q. Upper Dipper has an attractive ginger aroma. What snacks would make it even more enjoyable?

I always recommend dishes like mussel or clam stew with Upper Dipper. The orange citrus scent and ginger flavor of Upper Dipper create a very good pairing. Also, as we are now past early summer, if you prepare Chodang corn rice pot and pair it with Upper Dipper, the subtle sweetness, buttery flavor, and smooth beer flavor harmonize well.

Q. I understand you have conducted various marketing activities since the new product launch. What was the most successful offline event?

Recently, the Ark Upper Dipper House, held in collaboration with Burger Boy to celebrate the launch of Upper Dipper canned beer, stands out in my memory. Not only did it provide a tasting opportunity for the Upper Dipper can, but we also planned and sold a limited quantity of “Ark Beer Burger & Fries,” which pairs well with the beer. Additionally, programs such as a card-flipping game reflecting the meaning of the product name (Upper Dipper) and DJ performances offered participants hands-on experiences, resulting in high satisfaction.

Q. How was the consumer response?

The customer who has been a long-time fan of Ark Beer since its early days and praised it as a delicious beer that makes you say “Ahk!” just like the slogan Sounds Like ARK left the strongest impression. Since it was the first new product launched in 2023, I was half nervous and half excited about how it would be received, and I want to continue providing better experiences in response to the positive feedback!

Q. Any words for customers who love Ark Beer?

I hope you have enjoyed finishing a bottle or a can of beer deliciously! I hope you were happy while drinking it! Or that it contributed even a little to your happy moments! Thank you.

Q. Could you give us a hint about any products available at Ark Beer, planned, or soon to be released?

We are preparing to reopen the brewery tour, which was temporarily suspended during COVID-19, with a revamped program. Along with this, we have prepared some beers that can only be tasted at the brewery. There are ales with black tea and pineapple, hoppy US ales, and spicy beers with Cheongyang chili peppers. I’m not sure if it will be possible this year, but we are also preparing a blended product with tea, so if you want to taste limited edition products, please visit the brewery.

Photo courtesy of Ark Beer

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