First soju barrel aged beer

The Busan-based Gorilla Brewing Company announced that it will release a world first soju barrel aged imperial stout in a global release on January 26th, 2019. The event will provide craft beer drinkers a unique experience of Korean Somaek.

The brewery barrel aged their 11% imperial stout in soju oak barrels that provided premium soju brand Hwayo in December 2017.

Upon delivery, Gorilla’s team of experienced brewers led by Head Brewer Paul Edwards began the initial phase of the barrel aging process, resulting in a unique flavour that is distinguishably Korean.

One year on, the results of the collaboration had been set for domestic and international release in early 2019.

Gorilla’s Soju Barrel Aged Imperial Stout will be available worldwide, supplied mainly in ‘limited release’ bottles.

Paul Edwards, Founder and Head Brewer at Gorilla said: “The release of this unique beer that has this most amazing Korean twist, has excited everyone at Hwayo and Gorilla Brewery. The unique flavour of the soju and oak has added a dimension to the beer I’ve never encountered before!”

Somaek is the hugely consumed mixture of soju and beer, mainly by Koreans. “So” refers to the soju element, which is the Korean national drink, and is a distillate. “Maek” refers to the beer element (maekju in Korean)