Posted on 06/30/2013 8:46:06 PM PDT by TexGrill
Foreign beer makers are rapidly increasing their market share in Korea amid falling sales of wine and whisky, according to an analysis by Lotte Mart, one of the country’s major discount retail stores, Sunday.
Sale of imported beer during June 1 to June 27 was 1.61 billion won, an increase of 41 percent from a year earlier, surpassing that of wine by 100 million won, Lotte Mart said.
This is the first time that imported beer was sold more than wine on a monthly basis.
The famous Japanese beer brand Asahi Super Dry was the best-selling beer in Lotte, followed by L Weizen, Heineken and Lager.
“We do see some consumers choosing imported beer instead of wine and whisky,” said Kim Min-hak, a sales personnel at a Lotte store in Seohyun-dong, Bundang, Gyeonggi Province.
“We are going to introduce more imported beer brands as part of our diversification strategies to attract more customers.”
The amount of Japanese beer imported here last year tripled to $26.3 million from some $7.32 million in 2008, according to an industry data.
Korea has seen a massive boom in the imported beer market in recent years and importers are capitalizing on the consumer trend.
The increasing demand for imported beer has negatively affected the sale of domestic beer brands, Kim said.
“A growing number of Koreans are trying to explore new tastes. The imported beer industry in Korea will expand further,” he said.
(Excerpt) Read more at koreatimes.co.kr ...
Notice American beer is not on the list? It’s all advertising in this country.
By wine I have to assume they exclude the native rice liquor, Soju. I’ve read that it can be gotten at up to 90 proof but what I’ve had was more like a rougher version of Sake, maybe 40 proof. At about a dollar to three dollars a 12 oz. bottle it is a cheap way to get very drunk and was served (along with beer) with every dinner I was ever hosted at. Red or White grape wine? Never saw the stuff.
When I first went to Bangkok, European type wine was unknown except in five star hotels. Now, the new rich make a point of demonstrating their sophistication and even non European restaurants ( the high class ones ) have wine menus. Normal folks prefer Singha or Chang beer and Mekong whiskey.
Geez, I always thought that a big OB (Oriental Brewery) was always the best when I was over there.
Yuck.
The important point may be that the Koreans are willing to consume anything that is Japanese. Long standing grudge there.
Its an acquired taste. Meaning its horrible
I agree. That was nasty swill.
You’re right. Many Germans immigrated to Shandong Province. Well, even after 3 years in China I can still be fooled by a few schemes. Good catch. Well that explains why it’s so easy to find German beer here. Nonetheless, I will continue drinking it, since it’s still better than drinking Budweiser.
I'm a bit of a snob when it comes to beer but there are plenty of great locally produced beers available to me so I'm not complaining. Then there are the imports, which are also worth exploring.
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