Devil's Door Brewery
Recent ratings and reviews.
Reviewed by amano_h from Oregon
3.64/5 rDev -5.7%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.75 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4
3.64/5 rDev -5.7%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.75 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4
A big-money venture set up by Korean Conglomerate SSG in the up-and-coming Express Bus Terminal (or Goteo) area of Seoul. This place was initially abuzz and ripe with speculation prior to its opening as the vice-president of SSG went on record to claim that he was a big fan of Stone Brewing Company (of Escondido, CA fame) and wanted to emulate its success on Korean soil as well. Whereas he did get one part right--the Devil's Door Brewery itself looks like an exact replica model copy of the Escondido Brewery, even down to the logo--Devil's Door is maybe representative of the fact that Korea has a long way to go before it's able to catch up to their American counterparts.
As aforementioned, Devil's Door comes from money and the sheer amount of space it was allotted in such an expensive area of town seems to represent the fact very well. They also serve all their offerings in Teku glasses (which cost anywhere from 25 dollars - 45 dollars per glass in Korea) which also give the allusion of luxury and authenticity, but that sadly is where it seems to end. The brewery itself, unlike its inspiration back at Escondido, is inundated with loud poppy music and is riddled with bells and whistles that just screams tacky. Their original beer offerings are drinkable, but not in anyway repeatable; their food menu is extensive (from finger food and pizza to gourmet salads), but on the pricier side--they do seem to have regular events that seem to pair food with their beers, and coming from big money it's hard to imagine they'll skimp out on something like food (especially with the prices they charge)
They do occasionally have guest bottle offerings at outrageous above-market prices, and plenty of merchandise being sold by the entrance before entering the main "pub area"; SSG has effectively created an authentic brewery experience in Korea, with the exception of the beer. The vibe here is good and "foreign" enough to impress someone on a first date (i.e. paying for location), but I'd steer clear for the time being, at least until they've had time to work on their beer.
Sep 15, 2015As aforementioned, Devil's Door comes from money and the sheer amount of space it was allotted in such an expensive area of town seems to represent the fact very well. They also serve all their offerings in Teku glasses (which cost anywhere from 25 dollars - 45 dollars per glass in Korea) which also give the allusion of luxury and authenticity, but that sadly is where it seems to end. The brewery itself, unlike its inspiration back at Escondido, is inundated with loud poppy music and is riddled with bells and whistles that just screams tacky. Their original beer offerings are drinkable, but not in anyway repeatable; their food menu is extensive (from finger food and pizza to gourmet salads), but on the pricier side--they do seem to have regular events that seem to pair food with their beers, and coming from big money it's hard to imagine they'll skimp out on something like food (especially with the prices they charge)
They do occasionally have guest bottle offerings at outrageous above-market prices, and plenty of merchandise being sold by the entrance before entering the main "pub area"; SSG has effectively created an authentic brewery experience in Korea, with the exception of the beer. The vibe here is good and "foreign" enough to impress someone on a first date (i.e. paying for location), but I'd steer clear for the time being, at least until they've had time to work on their beer.
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