Highlights: Dokkaebier will continue producing Federation Brewing's beer and keep its staff Dokkaebier will take over and rebrand Federation's taproom and brewery Dokkaebier will partner with the Black-owned breweries Hella Coastal and Brewing with Brothas as part of the deal The acquisition is part of Dokkaebier's aggressive growth. The Asian brewery expects to be available nationwide in thousands of locations (from its current 400+ in California) by the end of 2024. ### OAKLAND, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dokkaebier, the leading craft brewery inspired by Asian-influenced ingredients, today announced it acquired Federation Brewing for an undisclosed amount. “We thank Federation Brewing for giving us the opportunity to cement Dokkaebier’s roots in Oakland. We are proud that our first flagship brewery and taproom will continue to be a space for the underrepresented in our industry,” said Dokkaebier Founder and CEO Youngwon Lee. Dokkaebier will continue producing Federation Brewing’s craft beers, retain its workforce, and take over operations of the Oakland, California, brewery and taproom. Located at 420 3rd Street near Jack London Square, the taproom will soon be rebranded as Dokkaebier and feature beers from Dokkaebier, Federation Brewing and Hella Coastal. “We are excited to join forces with Youngwon and Dokkaebier. Dokkaebier shares our commitment to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in the beer industry and will help extend our legacy as a community-oriented brewery. Most importantly, the beer is amazing,” said Federation Brewing Co-Founder Aram Cretan. Federation Brewing, founded in 2014, is an award-winning craft brewery best known for its In The Weeds West Coast IPA, Low Boy stout and Utopia Planitia red rye ale. The brewery has long focused on bringing others into the beer industry, including notable partnerships with Hella Coastal, Oakland’s only Black-owned brewery, and Brewing with Brothas, which will soon be East Palo Alto’s first locally owned brewery. Dokkaebier is one of the fastest-growing Asian breweries in the U.S. In three years, the brewing company has developed and released more than 40 original craft beers and launched in more than 400 restaurants and retailers, including BevMo!, H Mart, Total Wine & More and Whole Foods Market. The Asian-influenced craft brewery continues to expand. Avery Glasser, a spirits and alcohol entrepreneur and product strategist, has joined Dokkaebier as the director of strategy and new markets. Under his leadership, the brewing company expects that Dokkaebier will be available in thousands of locations across the U.S. by the end of 2024. Hayden Fulstone, the co-founder of the innovative drink-mix company Liquid I.V., which Unilever acquired in 2020, also joined Dokkaebier as an advisor to help the company grow. About Dokkaebier Dokkaebier is the leading craft brewery inspired by Asian-influenced ingredients. Launched in 2020, the brewing company’s more than 40 original craft beers have won international acclaim, including best-in-class recognition and medals at the World Beer Championships, Annual Brewski™ Awards and the Red Dot Design Award. ###
Dokkaebier makes some decent beer but i have a hard time seeing them being successful at a national scale unless they can reduce their prices significantly. If they bring their original vision is a Korean inspired taproom menu that will be super dope. I'm very curious to see how some of their more creative beer recipes pair with Korean food. Never heard of any of the other breweries involved, but good luck to them all
I’ve been to Federation a few times. It’s not a ‘destination’ in the way that Oakland’s SARA or upcoming Cellarmaker location are, but it’s a good hang-out spot with a lot of character. I imagine the Dokkaebier makeover will be a complete transformation. A nationwide expansion is quite the scaling-up!
I'd love to hear the pitch to investors to justify trying to take a beer brand centered on using obscure (in most american markets) Asian fruits and herbs nationwide. Heck, I'd like to hear the pitch on taking any beer brand nationwide at this point
I can see a case for expansing an Asian-focused brand, especially if it’s marketed in conjunction with restaurants looking for craft partnerships. This seems like a smart move, and if it is even moderately successful it could pave a way for others to follow. Where’s my Latinx-owned brewery innovators? The larger point which you and I both agree on is taking any brand national just for the sake of going national. I already see Dokkaebier sitting on the shelves at H Mart in SF. What happens if they’re picked up by a Meijers in Michigan?
That's what I mean, it sits up here as well. If it isn't moving briskly in areas with large Asian populations and long standing familiarity with Asian culture as part of the local mainstream what are the prospects for these beers with kumquat and specialty teas going into markets where "orange chicken" is the pinnacle of local Asian cultural expression? That said, I wish them the best and the reappointed taproom will be a top destination for me. I've been dreaming of finding a good beer and good Asian food combo for years and from what I've seen from dokkaebier, they are well prepared to do it right.
