Photos by ChiHon Kim ()
You don’t have to be a beer drinker to recognize that there is a serious craft beer obsession sweeping South Korea. Ever since Korea’s Liquor Tax Act was changed in 2014, small breweries have been able to distribute their beer, giving skillful brewmasters a chance make their mark in the Korean craft beer scene.
Opened in Ansan in 2015, Kraemerlee brewing is one of them. Kraemerlee is a combination of the co-founders’ names Kraemer, a German brewer, and two Lees from Korea. A few years ago, I visited their humble brewery tucked in an alley of a quiet neighborhood in Ansan to taste fresh tank beers. I sampled one of the signature beers and I can never forget the freshness of the beer that has a light but rich malt flavor.
While their small brewery in Ansan has no space to sit and enjoy your beer with food, they opened Kraemerlee brewpub in Gapyong in 2019. The brewpub gives you an awesome craft beer experience with its neat dining area, which includes outdoor campfire seating. And the assortment of craft beers brewed on-site are delicious.
There is a beautiful ski resort with an indoor pool across the street from the Kreaemerlee, and the famous Garden of the Morning Calm is just a 10-minute drive away, making the brewpub a perfect pit stop for skiers and beer-loving travelers.
At Kraemerlee, you’ll find many German beers crafted on-site including pilsner, weissbier, single-hop IPAs (6,000-9,000 won, or about $5-8), and more. The brewery also boasts the taste of Weizenbock, a wheat version of a German-style bock.
They also offer a variety of classic food options on the menu, including pizza and burgers that are beautifully paired with their beers. Among their robust food options, I opted for a Lager cheeseburger for 15,500 won (or $ 13.06).
The juicy burger was topped with cheddar cheese, tomatoes, bacon, stilton, arugula, cheese sauce and grilled pineapple. When ordering, I didn’t know the burger had pineapple, which is my least favorite fruit. However, although I’m a burger purist who before taking a bite would have decried having pineapple on the burger if I would have known, I must admit the grilled fruit was a delicious touch.
Aside from pizza and burgers, they offer fresh salads and side dishes such as mac and cheese and chili cheese fries. If you’re looking for a hearty meal, they also have pasta and rice options on their menu, as well as meat platters cooked using dry cooking methods. The meat platter options come with bread, sausage, and a variety of side dishes.
If you want to get a close-up look Kraemerlee’s beer-making, call in advance to set up a tour. Not only will you see how things are brewed, but you’ll also have the chance to sample some fresh beer.
If you love sweet coffee and love beer, grab a Fat Boy (ABV 9%) brewed from a Geisha coffee beans. Combining ingredients folks dig doesn’t always work well, but these two are a match made in heaven. The flavor and aroma characteristics of coffee meld seamlessly with the beer that has a creamy texture.
If you plan on going to Gapyong, make sure you stop by this brewpub for some tasty suds and delicious food.
ADDRESS 경기 가평군 상면 청군로 429 (KOR),
429, Cheonggun-ro, Sang-myeon, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do (ENG)
HOURS 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
(Break time 3 – 5 p.m., During the break time, only simply menu items, including beers and drinks, are available)
PHONE 0507-1309-5977
