Kibex 2026 successfully concluded

Seoul | Kibex (Korea International Beer Expo), Korea’s largest specialized exhibition for the beer industry, was held at Coex, Seoul, from 16–18 April 2026, featuring 480 booths from 260 exhibitors across 7 countries, showcasing 1800 brands.

The 2026 edition was held on a larger scale than the previous year, attracting over 25,000 visitors and 5000 professional buyers from 37 countries, further strengthening its position as one of Asia’s leading beer business platforms which encompasses the entire beer industry value chain, from raw materials and brewing technology to distribution, retail tech, and consumer experience.

With 480 booths hosted by 260 exhibitors from 7 countries, the exhibition showcased a total of 1,800 brands, featuring a diverse range of products and technologies including craft beer, non-alcoholic and functional beverages, premium beverages, advanced brewing equipment, packaging solutions, and smart retail systems.

The exhibition functions as a strategic business platform, offering tangible opportunities for market entry and partnership development for both domestic and international brewing companies and beverage brands seeking to enter the Korean market, as well as global companies aiming to expand their distribution networks and business presence across Asia.

Strategic business matching

One of the key features of Kibex 2026 was its well-structured 1:1 business matching program, designed to facilitate efficient and results-driven networking.

By connecting exhibitors with pre-registered domestic and international buyers, hotel groups, e-commerce platforms, and major distributors, the program creates high-value business opportunities and fosters meaningful partnerships across the industry.

In addition, Kibex operates The Brew-In Tour, a curated docent-guided business program tailored for industry professionals and buyers. The program provides in-depth insights into exhibited products, including beer, brewing equipment, and raw materials, while guiding participants through key booths based on their business interests. Through a structured and thematic tour format, buyers can efficiently identify relevant products and technologies, while participating companies benefit from direct exposure to targeted buyers and the generation of qualified business leads.

By integrating business matching with guided tour programs, Kibex enhances both the efficiency and effectiveness of on-site networking, maximizing tangible business outcomes for all participants.

Concurrent programs

The expo featured two prestigious flagship events, the Korea International Beer Award (Kiba) and the Korea International Beer Conference (Kibcon), and was held alongside Drink Seoul, a comprehensive beverage exhibition that reflects the rapidly evolving global beverage market.

A list of this year’s award winners can be downloaded from the official website at https://kiba.kr/Winnerlist2026.