Hongcheongang Takju

Description

Yesul Brewery in Hongcheon, Gangwon-do uses locally grown Hongcheon rice and wheat-based nuruk (mil nuruk) for this 11% takju — a combination that produces a heartier, more grain-forward profile than rice-and-ipguk styles. Wheat nuruk introduces a bread-dough earthiness and a slightly tangy acidity that rice koji alone does not generate, and the local rice adds a sweetness specific to Hongcheon's cold-climate terroir. The aroma is toasted wheat with warm rice porridge and a faint sourdough tang. On the palate, the body is creamy and full, with grain sweetness that is robust and satisfying — think barley tea intensity but creamy — and the wheat nuruk adds a savory pull in the mid-palate that anchors the sweetness. The finish is long, with the 11% ABV building a steady warmth that carries the grain character out slowly. Compared to the same brewery's lighter, more poised 'Pearkkoch Pil Muryeop,' this one is the winter coat: heavier, warmer, and designed for the cold-weather table. Its 2015 Chajaganeun Yangjojang designation reinforces the brewery's commitment to regional ingredients. Serve at 10-14°C to let the wheat nuruk aromatics open. Pair with kimchi-jjigae on a cold night where the drink's body and warmth make a complete comfort duo, or with braised spicy chicken (dakdoritang) where the savory-sweet grain profile mirrors the stew's depth.

Ingredients

홍천 쌀, Purified Water, Nuruk

Tasting Notes

Food Pairings