Tiger's Navel

Description

Balkeun Sesang Yeongnongjohap Brewery in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do splits its grain bill between 40% brown rice and 60% white rice — a ratio that introduces the hull's nutty, bran-like depth while keeping the body smooth enough for easy drinking. The brown rice contributes toasted grain aromatics and a slight chewiness to the texture that you do not get in pure white-rice makgeolli. At 6.5% ABV, the drink occupies a light-medium zone with more grain character than its modest strength might suggest. Refined white sugar (jeongbaekdang) sweetens the base, keeping the sugar profile neutral and letting the grain lead. The aroma is toasted rice bran with a faint popcorn note and soft nuruk earthiness. On the palate, the body is creamy with a grainy, slightly textured quality from the brown rice, sweetness that arrives gentle and recedes cleanly, and a finish where the bran's nuttiness lingers pleasantly. The 350ml can format suits solo drinking. Its 2018 Chajaganeun Yangjojang designation highlights the cooperative brewery's commitment to local Pyeongtaek rice farming. Serve at 5-8°C with sundae-guk (blood sausage soup) where the nutty grain echo reinforces the earthy broth, or with gamja-jeon (potato pancake) where the brown rice depth adds complexity to a simple pairing.

Ingredients

평택 쌀(현미 40%, 백미 60%), Nuruk, Purified Water, Refined Sugar

Tasting Notes

Food Pairings