TAEDONGGANG BREWERY

It is the most visited place by tourists in the district of Sadong. All countries in the region traditionally brew at least one local beer, with the exception of North Korea. At least until recently... In 2000, under the impetus of Kim Jong-Il, the Government decided to build a brewery in Pyongyang, and launched the project of the Taedonggang brewery. The equipment was bought directly from England from a former brewery of 1824 which is no more in activity. For a year, a team of North Korean workers had the heavy task of dismantling the installations, numbering the parts and reassembling the machines in Pyongyang under the supervision of an English Brewer master. In 2002 production begins and Kim Jong-Il directly asks for an increase in the quality and quantity of production so that the beer produced becomes a reference. A malting that was equipped with German machines is added to the brewery.

It is possible to visit the facilities with some organized trips (often only the "tasting" part is proposed, as in the Taedonggang Microbrewery No. 3 bar). The guides will not miss to point out that the facilities have been modernized since 2002: the computerisation of the brewery is put forward, as is the national origin of the hops and barley used. The production of the brewery can be found all over the country but also in China and other countries that have commercial relations with Pyongyang.

The Brewery offers seven different types of beers, blond, amber and brown, as well as a rice beer. None has a name but only a number that corresponds to the amount of Malta used. The alcohol level is around five degrees. A bottle of beer usually costs between 1 and 2 euros depending on the place.