A culinary event showcasing the diverse flavors of American craft beer fused with the limitless potential of Korean ingredients has recently concluded successfully in Seoul.

On Oct. 10, Chef Kim Su-jeong of the Brewers Association (BA) conducted a gourmet event in Seoul. /Courtesy of the U.S. Embassy in Korea

According to the U.S. Embassy in Korea on the 25th, the event held on the 10th was conducted in collaboration with the Brewers Association (BA) and Chef Kim Soo-jung of Fine Food Lab. This event is considered to have opened a new horizon of cultural exchange between the U.S. and South Korea, going beyond simple beer pairings.

The event featured creative pairings such as steamed seafood using Korean spring vegetables with Sierra Nevada Pale Ale and Gungjung Tteokbokki with Nideep Brewing’s "Tahoe Deep." A dark chocolate crunch made with traditional Korean ingredients like dried persimmons and Udo peanuts, as well as the harmony of Heavy Leaf Brewing Company's "Love Gun," received high praise.

Chef Kim noted, "When the potential of American craft beer is combined with Korean ingredients, it expands the horizons of culinary experiences," adding, "I hope this event serves as a cornerstone for cultural collaboration to lead global food trends." Adam Dewey from the Brewers Association evaluated that "carefully designed pairings created an unpredictable synergy by blending the elegance of Korean ingredients with the bold creativity of American craft beer."

This event was conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) export development program and reaffirmed the importance of culinary exchange between the two countries, considering that South Korea has emerged as the sixth largest export market for American craft beer.

The Brewers Association's Export Development Program (EDP) is a nonprofit organization representing over 5,600 small independent breweries in the U.S. and organizes global events such as the World Beer Cup and the Great American Beer Festival. It operates the independent craft brewer certification mark, collaborates with USDA to promote the diversity and quality of American craft beer in international markets, and is providing training on flavor preservation during the distribution process.