Chicken restaurants in S. Korea launching their own beers to offer the popular 'chimaek'

The pairing of fried chicken and beer is always popular in South Korea, and in fact, the locals have a name for this menu. Koreans call this “chimaek” which is a combination of the words chicken and maekju, the Korean translation for beer.

When in restaurants, ordering chimaek means chicken will be served with beer, and this combination is really loved by most of the locals. Now, since this is a popular item, chicken joints in the country have started to brew their own brand of beer, as per The Korea Herald.

It was reported that major chicken brands, including the international names, are coming up with their own beer to offer an exclusive combo special that can only be availed in their stores. Kyochon F&B, one of the leading and biggest fried chicken franchises in S. Korea, was the first fried chicken house to jump into the beer-making business.

For its beer business, Kyochon acquired MoonBear Brewing, a craft beer company, in May, and the product was simply called Kyochon Chimac. It was in December of last year when it was first reported that the company was eyeing the brewery.

As the company expanded its business to beverages, it was said that Kyochon’s operating profits have increased by 15% on-year in the third quarter of 2021. Another local chicken brand, BBQ, has also entered the craft beer game by partnering with Micro Brewery. So far, it has created six kinds of craft beer already.

In September of this year, BBQ signed a new deal with another brewery, the Jeju Beer, and launched the “Chi-eers” beer line in cans. Of course, this beer is meant to be served with BBQ’s fried chicken dishes. The brand is serious about its beer business as it is already considering putting up its own brewing facility for craft beer in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province. Once completed, the plant will be able to produce at least 4.4. Million liters of beer per year.

Among the global brands of fried chicken in Korea, KFC confirmed this week that it is also preparing to release its own craft beer. The American company joined forces with Kabrew brewery to develop its own IPA brand of alcoholic drink to go as a combo for its fried chicken menu. At any rate, another local brand that has added draft beer in their outlets is Mom’s Touch.