I recently tried a North Korean beer. I have an opportunity to import to the US -- yes despite the trade ban there is a way. Question for you out there is do you think that might do well in the US? I'm thinking it might sell as a novelty beer given that it would be the only beer available from that part of the world. Please send feedback/your opinion of this idea and why/why not it might sell in the US markets. Any feedback is appreciated. By the way, it is a pale ale and similar to Tsingtao in quality I am told. Thanks...
Does anyone drink lagers these days? Just curious ... one of my favorite pubs is called the Blue Tusk and the barkeep see's the ale' lager population as 50/50 and then of course there are the wine drinkers. I see more ale drinkers than anything though.
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"In order to find his equal, an Irishman is forced to talk to God."
While I am not going to turn this into a political debate, there are reason for the trade embargos we have with countries like North Korea. Given the state of current world affairs, even though it may be a novelty beer I doubt it would sell very well being that it is a North Korean beer.
I think the success of it would depend on the places you distribute it to. I would try it. I have nothing against North Koreans or their products less their brewery is probably owned by the state. The problem I have with North Korea is their government.
If the places you distribute too have patrons that drink quite a bit of micros and imports, it might do fine. Of course, even in those places there will be some that won't buy it because of it's origin. If you try to distribute it to a "redneck" bar in Kentucky, chances are it won't sell. (No Alabama jokes here ya'll >:P~)
I would try it. In college I once had a Korean roomate. His mom would bring lots of Korean food to our apartment. We loved it. I am sure this beer would go good with the food. There is a large Korean population in parts of Northern Virginia. It may or may not do well in this community. I don't know. At any rate, welcome to the board! What is the name of the Beer?
Thanks for the feedback. My instinct is that people will want to try it out of curiosity. My intentions (if I can work it all out) are to market it in the metro areas that would be open to it. San Francisco Bay area being first, maybe Seattle, Portland, New York, etc. The name is Yalu River beer.
The people here represent the growing minority of "good" beer drinkers. Unfortunately with a beer from north korea especially if it tastes like Tsingtao, it is not my opinion that you will have a market for it. Tsingtao barely has a market. I just think if it is not fantastic you wont get many repeat customers. That is where the money is.
Thanks Tweek for the input. You raise a very good point about repeat customers. However I haven't seemed to convey mine fully. Tsingtao did $35 million in sales last year being marketed in only 9 major metro areas primarily to Chinese groceries and restaurants. I would be thrilled to barely have a market like that.
Good luck with it. I know that some of the ethnic communities, especially Koreans can be very loyal and supportive of thier native brands. I don't know if it will have any impact being that it is a North Korean beer and not South. Personally I will try most new beers and if they taste good then I will try them again. Taste being the most important criteria.
I especially would not try it, not only does it come from North Korea it has the name of a river (Amnok) where we lost very good men trying to keep South Korea free. While I understand your intentions are good and you have nothing to do with this beer being made, it is being made by a country that continues to opress its people and is still at war with South Korea.
That's correct, you read it right. There is only a cease fire betwen the two countries which is why their is still a DMZ and American troops stationed there. Up until the early 1980's soldiers were still being engaged by the N. Koreans on the DMZ and we still actively patrol it for those reasons.
Don't forget about the USS Pueblo either, that happened in 1968, supposed 15 years after the cease fire agreement.
I know I represent a small portion of the people here and that is fine. Unless you are able to market this to the North Koreans and the communist Chinese that actually made it out of their respective countries, I think you will find your target audience a lot smaller then you think.
Originally posted by brewmonkey. Brewmonkey's remarks in quotes.
"I especially would not try it, not only does it come from North Korea it has the name of a river (Amnok) where we lost very good men trying to keep South Korea free."
As I stated in my post, te fact this beer is probably made by a government owned facility (as N. Korea is Communist) bothers me. It absolutely has nothing to do with the fact it is made by people who live in North Korea. I hope what I am saying makes sense......
"While I understand your intentions are good and you have nothing to do with this beer being made, it is being made by a country that continues to opress its people and is still at war with South Korea."
The North Korean government is at war with the South Korean government. Most of the North Korean soldiers are most likely doing what they can to feed their families. Of course many of them do have the communist mindset and I will acknowledge that.
"That's correct, you read it right. There is only a cease fire betwen the two countries which is why their is still a DMZ and American troops stationed there. Up until the early 1980's soldiers were still being engaged by the N. Koreans on the DMZ and we still actively patrol it for those reasons."
I hope the complete fall of communism happens soon. Too many lives wasted for a futile cause.
"Don't forget about the USS Pueblo either, that happened in 1968, supposed 15 years after the cease fire agreement.
I know I represent a small portion of the people here and that is fine. Unless you are able to market this to the North Koreans and the communist Chinese that actually made it out of their respective countries, I think you will find your target audience a lot smaller then you think."
One of the reasons I decided to reply to this post is because I have many Chinese friends. Most Chinese, (judging on the small cross-section I have been introduced to) not unlike most Americans are honest, hard working people who enjoy the same things we do, like time-off from work and family time, holidays etc.
I don't want to come off sounding liberalistic as I actually am moderately conservtive with quite a bit of Libertarian learnings as well. However, I believe the "average" person with a free will is basically "good" though impressionable and it really doesn't matter what country they come from.
These Chinese friends I have aren't trying to "pull the wool over my eyes" and act "Western." Some of those people have been my friends for over five years. Sure they are just "net friends" but I have witnessed some get big job promotions, lose family members etc. etc. These people laugh and cry just like we do.
As a proud American, I abhor communism. It is against everything this wonderful country is about (in theory.) However, I am not going to blame communism, or the loss of American lives in the Korean War on a brewmaster in N. Korea or an accountant in Shanghai China.
North Korean beer
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