I realize this is a very esoteric query. Does anyone know if the H-Mart chain of stores carries any Korean craft beers? Some further context, for those of you wandering by. H-Mart is a Korean owned/focused (?) grocery chain. They’ve recently opened up their first store in San Francisco. There are entire aisles devoted to imported snacks, ramens, delicious pickled and fermented veggies, and so, so, so much more. I’m not doing it justice here, but this is Beer Advocate not Grocery Store Advocate, so I’ll just state that they also had the usual Korean mass produced beers on display when I visited recently, along with some Japanese craft selections I’ve seen elsewhere. Hence my question.
On my ventures into H Mart here in Garbage Grove there is none. At least I’ve never noticed. What K craft beers are you looking for? Galmegi? Gorilla?
I've seen Japanese craft beer at H-Mart in Seattle, mostly Yo-Ho Brewing cans, but haven't noticed any Korean brands. Come to think of it, I've never seen Korean craft beer options at any Asian grocery store.
I’m unfamiliar with those, and I don’t know of any others that distro, honestly. I’d love some more alternatives to the macro imports.
We probably won’t see any K cans here for a while. To brew and can/bottle in Korea is very expensive. It’s much cheaper to go to the brewery tasting room and have it there in draft. The cost for cans are usually triple what we pay here. So you won’t see many K cans sold there. The tax is crazy over there. A bottle of Pliny will cost $40 in Korea. And most places will only sell single cans. Your best bet is to find someone to trade. But you will get hit with customs and import tax. Or they will in Korea. Several years ago I mailed 4 beers to a K friend and they asked him to pay $100 for the 4 beers (Pliny and Heady Topper were 2 of the 4). Plus it cost me $70 thru FedEx. No trade. Just a favor from me. He was hesitant on paying the fees. He eventually did pay it. So to see any K craft here might take several more years. Your better off buying soju. It’s cheap.
