Visiting a brewery in Korea offers a fantastic chance to taste local craft beers, but knowing how to interact with staff is key. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for both waiters recommending beer and customers ordering at a brewery, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience.
Table Of Content
Core Recommendation Phrase
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Expression: 맥주 추천해 드릴까요?
Pronunciation: maek-ju chu-cheon-hae deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: Shall I recommend a beer for you? (Polite)
Waiter’s Recommendation Phrases
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Expression: 어떤 종류의 맥주를 좋아하세요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon jong-nyu-ui maek-ju-reul jo-a-ha-se-yo?
Meaning: What kind of beer do you like? -
Expression: 이 맥주가 인기가 많아요.
Pronunciation: i maek-ju-ga in-gi-ga ma-na-yo.
Meaning: This beer is very popular. -
Expression: 저희 시그니처 맥주입니다.
Pronunciation: jeo-hui si-geu-ni-cheo maek-ju-im-ni-da.
Meaning: This is our signature beer. -
Expression: 이 IPA는 어떠세요? 홉 향이 풍부해요.
Pronunciation: i a-i-pi-e-i-neun eo-tteo-se-yo? hop hyang-i pung-bu-hae-yo.
Meaning: How about this IPA? It has a rich hop aroma. -
Expression: 이 라거는 목넘김이 부드러워요.
Pronunciation: i ra-geo-neun mok-neom-gi-mi bu-deu-reo-wo-yo.
Meaning: This lager is smooth (easy to drink). -
Expression: 과일 향이 나는 맥주를 선호하시면 이걸 추천드려요.
Pronunciation: gwa-il hyang-i na-neun maek-ju-reul seon-ho-ha-si-myeon i-geol chu-cheon-deu-ryeo-yo.
Meaning: If you prefer fruity beers, I recommend this one. -
Expression: 약간 쓴맛을 좋아하시면 스타우트도 괜찮아요.
Pronunciation: yak-kkan sseun-ma-seul jo-a-ha-si-myeon seu-ta-u-teu-do gwaen-cha-na-yo.
Meaning: If you like a slightly bitter taste, the stout is also good. -
Expression: 이 음식과 잘 어울리는 맥주입니다.
Pronunciation: i eum-sik-gwa jal eo-ul-li-neun maek-ju-im-ni-da.
Meaning: This beer pairs well with this food. -
Expression: 시음 한번 해보시겠어요?
Pronunciation: si-eum han-beon hae-bo-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Would you like to try a sample? -
Expression: 지금 계절 한정 맥주도 있습니다.
Pronunciation: ji-geum gye-jeol han-jeong maek-ju-do it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: We also have a seasonal beer right now. -
Expression: 도수는 5도 정도 됩니다.
Pronunciation: do-su-neun o-do jeong-do doem-ni-da.
Meaning: The alcohol content is about 5 percent. -
Expression: 이걸로 주문하시겠어요?
Pronunciation: i-geol-lo ju-mun-ha-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Would you like to order this one?
Customer Responses and Questions
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Expression: 맥주 추천 좀 해주세요.
Pronunciation: maek-ju chu-cheon jom hae-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please recommend a beer. -
Expression: 여기서 뭐가 제일 인기가 많아요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-seo mwo-ga je-il in-gi-ga ma-na-yo?
Meaning: What’s the most popular here? -
Expression: 저는 가벼운 맥주를 좋아해요.
Pronunciation: jeo-neun ga-byeo-un maek-ju-reul jo-a-hae-yo.
Meaning: I like light beers. -
Expression: 쓴맛이 덜한 맥주로 추천해주세요.
Pronunciation: sseun-ma-si deol-han maek-ju-ro chu-cheon-hae-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please recommend a less bitter beer. -
Expression: 과일 향 나는 맥주 있어요?
Pronunciation: gwa-il hyang na-neun maek-ju i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Do you have any fruity beers? -
Expression: 시음해 볼 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: si-eum-hae bol su i-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Can I try a sample? -
Expression: 이 맥주 도수가 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: i maek-ju do-su-ga eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What’s the alcohol content of this beer? -
Expression: 이 안주랑 잘 어울리는 맥주가 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: i an-ju-rang jal eo-ul-li-neun maek-ju-ga mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What beer pairs well with this food (anju)? -
Expression: 추천해주신 걸로 주세요.
Pronunciation: chu-cheon-hae-ju-sin geol-lo ju-se-yo.
Meaning: I’ll have the one you recommended. -
Expression: IPA 하나 주세요.
Pronunciation: a-i-pi-e-i ha-na ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me one IPA. -
Expression: 이건 너무 쓸 것 같아요. 다른 거 추천해주세요.
Pronunciation: i-geon neo-mu sseul geot ga-ta-yo. da-reun geo chu-cheon-hae-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: This seems too bitter. Please recommend something else. -
Expression: 무알콜 맥주도 있나요?
Pronunciation: mu-al-kol maek-ju-do in-na-yo?
Meaning: Do you have non-alcoholic beer too?
Describing Beer Styles and Flavors
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Expression: 라거
Pronunciation: ra-geo
Meaning: Lager -
Expression: 에일
Pronunciation: e-il
Meaning: Ale -
Expression: 아이피에이 (IPA)
Pronunciation: a-i-pi-e-i
Meaning: IPA (India Pale Ale) -
Expression: 스타우트
Pronunciation: seu-ta-u-teu
Meaning: Stout -
Expression: 밀맥주
Pronunciation: mil-maek-ju
Meaning: Wheat beer -
Expression: 가벼운 맛
Pronunciation: ga-byeo-un mat
Meaning: Light taste -
Expression: 진한 맛
Pronunciation: jin-han mat
Meaning: Rich/dark taste -
Expression: 쓴 맛
Pronunciation: sseun mat
Meaning: Bitter taste -
Expression: 부드러운 목넘김
Pronunciation: bu-deu-reo-un mok-neom-gim
Meaning: Smooth (easy to drink/swallow) -
Expression: 과일 향
Pronunciation: gwa-il hyang
Meaning: Fruity aroma/flavor -
Expression: 홉 향이 강한
Pronunciation: hop hyang-i gang-han
Meaning: Strong hop aroma (hoppy) -
Expression: 도수 (알코올 도수)
Pronunciation: do-su (al-ko-ol do-su)
Meaning: Alcohol content (ABV)
Korean Culture Notes
When visiting a Korean brewery or pub, asking for recommendations (추천 – chu-cheon) is very common and appreciated. Staff often have good knowledge of their offerings and enjoy helping customers find a beer they’ll like.
Trying a sample (시음 – si-eum) before committing to a full glass is often possible, especially at craft breweries. Don’t hesitate to ask using “시음해 볼 수 있을까요?” (si-eum-hae bol su i-sseul-kka-yo?).
Beer is almost always consumed with food, known as 안주 (an-ju). Breweries will typically offer a menu of snacks or dishes designed to pair well with their beers. Ordering some anju is part of the typical Korean drinking experience.
While formal pouring etiquette is less emphasized in casual brewery settings compared to business dinners, it’s still polite to receive a drink with two hands (or one hand supporting the receiving wrist/elbow) if someone senior is pouring for you. When clinking glasses, say “건배!” (geon-bae!), which means “Cheers!”.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A customer (B) enters a craft brewery and is greeted by the waiter (A), who then offers recommendations.
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Expression: A: 어서 오세요!
Pronunciation: eo-seo o-se-yo!
Meaning: A: Welcome! -
Expression: B: 안녕하세요. 맥주 추천 좀 받을 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: B: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. maek-ju chu-cheon jom ba-deul su i-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: B: Hello. Could I get a beer recommendation? -
Expression: A: 네, 그럼요! 어떤 스타일 좋아하세요? 가벼운 거, 진한 거, 아니면 쓴 맛 나는 거요?
Pronunciation: A: ne, geu-reom-yo! eo-tteon seu-ta-il jo-a-ha-se-yo? ga-byeo-un geo, jin-han geo, a-ni-myeon sseun mat na-neun geo-yo?
Meaning: A: Yes, of course! What style do you like? Something light, dark, or perhaps bitter? -
Expression: B: 음… 너무 쓰지 않고 좀 부드러운 걸로 마시고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: B: eum… neo-mu sseu-ji an-ko jom bu-deu-reo-un geol-lo ma-si-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: B: Hmm… I’d like something not too bitter and rather smooth. -
Expression: A: 아, 그러시면 저희 밀맥주 한번 드셔보세요. 부드럽고 향긋해서 인기가 많아요. 시음해 보시겠어요?
Pronunciation: A: a, geu-reo-si-myeon jeo-hui mil-maek-ju han-beon deu-syeo-bo-se-yo. bu-deu-reop-go hyang-geu-tae-seo in-gi-ga ma-na-yo. si-eum-hae bo-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: A: Ah, in that case, try our wheat beer. It’s smooth and aromatic, very popular. Would you like a sample? -
Expression: B: 네, 좋아요! 시음 부탁드려요.
Pronunciation: B: ne, jo-a-yo! si-eum bu-tak-deu-ryeo-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes, please! I’d like a sample. -
Expression: A: (잠시 후) 여기 있습니다. 드셔보세요.
Pronunciation: A: (jam-si hu) yeo-gi it-seum-ni-da. deu-syeo-bo-se-yo.
Meaning: A: (After a moment) Here you go. Please try it. -
Expression: B: (마셔보고) 오, 맛있네요! 부드럽고 좋아요. 이걸로 한 잔 주세요.
Pronunciation: B: (ma-syeo-bo-go) o, ma-sin-ne-yo! bu-deu-reop-go jo-a-yo. i-geol-lo han jan ju-se-yo.
Meaning: B: (After tasting) Oh, this is delicious! It’s smooth and nice. Please give me one glass of this. -
Expression: A: 네, 알겠습니다. 금방 가져다 드릴게요.
Pronunciation: A: ne, al-get-seum-ni-da. geum-bang ga-jyeo-da deu-ril-ge-yo.
Meaning: A: Yes, understood. I’ll bring it right over.
Practice Tips
Now you have the essential phrases for navigating a Korean brewery! Try practicing these expressions out loud~ Imagine yourself as either the waiter or the customer. Role-playing with a friend or language partner can be really helpful!
Pay attention to the pronunciation, especially the syllable breaks. Listening to Korean conversations (maybe in dramas or food shows featuring breweries?) can also help you get used to the natural flow. Don’t be afraid to use the recommendation phrases – it’s a great way to discover new favorite beers! 화이팅 (hwa-i-ting – You can do it)!
