Showcases three varieties brewed from local ingredients
Yanggu — Seong-Hyun Lee
Yanggu Makgeolli, a premium makgeolli brand co-created by the Yanggu Cultural Foundation in Gangwon and local brand developer Country Citizen, is turning heads at the 2026 Youth Yanggu Gomchwi Festival.
On May 3, Yanggu County said the drink is made mainly from rice grown in the county’s pristine environment and from gomchwi, a local specialty. Marketed as a local premium product, the brand pairs regional identity with a modern aesthetic. Rather than being just another alcoholic beverage, it’s presented as a slice of Yanggu—packaged flavor and culture.
The festival showcased three offerings: Baekju Daenat (7% ABV), Gomjumangtae (7% ABV), and Gomjumangtae (9% ABV). Newcomer Baekju Daenat (7% ABV) delivers a silky mouthfeel and a delicate sweetness from Yanggu’s Suhyangmi rice. Gomjumangtae keeps gomchwi’s distinctive aroma but tones down the bitterness, making it approachable for a wide range of drinkers. Some varieties sold out early, underscoring strong on-site demand.
Choi Jin-hee, secretary-general of the Yanggu Cultural Foundation, said, “We hope visitors will gain a deeper appreciation of the region through Yanggu Makgeolli during the Gomchwi Festival, which runs through Children’s Day on May 5.”
