Kibex 2025: Revitalizing the market with a global beer platform

Korea | Kibex (Korea International Beer Expo) will take place from 10–12 April 2025 at COEX, Seoul, serving as a key platform for the revival of the stagnant market. This year, Kibex is set to bring together industry leaders, brewers, and suppliers from around the world to explore the latest trends and innovations in the beer sector.

Building on last year’s success, Kibex 2025 will feature dedicated national pavilions from the United States and Brazil, highlighting the growing international participation and the collaborative efforts in the global beer industry. This expansion underscores Kibex’s role as a premier B2B networking and market-expansion event for the beer and brewing industry.

A global perspective on beer trends

The Korea Beer International Conference (Kibcon) will newly present a comprehensive overview of beer trends for 2025 from key global markets, including the United States, Brazil, Belgium, and Korea. Industry associations from these countries will introduce fresh insights into market trends, consumer preferences, and brewing innovations. Furthermore, attendees will have the opportunity to explore the latest raw material innovations specifically developed to meet the evolving demands of the beer industry.

Elevating the standard of global beer competitions
 
The Korea Beer International Award (Kiba) continues to grow as a prestigious competition in the industry. Last year, Kiba attracted 347 beers from 76 breweries across 16 countries, judged by a distinguished panel of international experts. In 2025, the competition aims to showcase over 400 beers from breweries worldwide, further solidifying its reputation as a leading global beer competition. 

Strengthening business programs with new initiatives

To further enhance its business-oriented approach, Kibex 2025 expands upon its existing business programs, including the new product showcase and business matching program, by introducing two additional programs:

Brew It Yourself: A newly launched homebrewing academy designed to cultivate homebrewers and contribute to the expansion of both the domestic and international beer markets.

The Brew-In Tour: A guided docent tour aimed at providing industry professionals with in-depth knowledge about beer, brewing equipment, and raw materials. This initiative seeks to enhance the quality of the beer industry by fostering a deeper understanding of brewing processes and innovations.

As the hub of Asia’s beer industry, Kibex 2025 will also offer specialized business packages for beer industry professionals across the region, facilitating valuable networking and collaboration opportunities.

Drink Seoul: A celebration of traditional and global spirits
 
Running concurrently with Kibex 2025, Drink Seoul will showcase a diverse range of domestic and international distilled spirits, traditional liquors, and wines. This event provides a unique platform for industry professionals and consumers to explore the rich heritage of traditional spirits alongside innovative global brands.

Notably, Korea’s traditional distilled spirits will be represented by Andong-City, offering attendees an authentic experience of Korea’s historic soju and other heritage liquors. Additionally, Drink Seoul will feature a selection of global distilled spirits, providing an unparalleled opportunity to experience the fusion of tradition and modernity in the spirits industry.

With these initiatives, Kibex 2025 is set to strengthen its position as Asia’s leading beer industry platform, bringing together key stakeholders, fostering innovation, and driving market growth. Additionally, Kibex will invite craft breweries and buyers from across Asia, expanding its reach beyond the region to establish itself as a truly global platform for the beer industry. For more information and registration details, visit www.en.beerexpo.kr.