Kyochon F&B has restored a century-old brewery in Yeongyang, creating the 'Fermentation Workshop 1991,' which has been recognized as a culinary and cultural landmark through a public vote.
The agricultural corporation Fermentation Workshop 1991 announced on August 24 that it was selected in two categories—culinary and culture, arts, and tradition—by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization as part of the '100X100 Project' to discover notable sites in South Korea.
The 100X100 Project involves a public vote on recommended sites from 100 travel experts to uncover hidden gems across the country. Approximately 40,000 people participated in the voting, casting over 1.53 million votes over a three-week period starting in late June.
Fermentation Workshop 1991 was recognized in the culinary category for 'Let's Go Drink, Alcohol Pride' and in the culture, arts, and tradition category for 'Newtro Dive, Cultural Regeneration Space.' The site was acknowledged for its production of traditional liquor using local agricultural products and for preserving and revitalizing the historic brewery.
Established in 1926, the former Yeongyang Brewery was restored by Kyochon F&B and Yeongyang County, opening its doors in 2022. The facility maintains the original wooden structure, preserving the brewery's historical essence while currently serving as a production site for local traditional liquor.
Here, they produce 'Gamhyangju,' a type of makgeolli recorded in the first Korean cookbook, 'Eumsik Dimibang,' along with modern interpretations like 'Milky Way Starry Night' and 'Milky Way Makgeolli.' The products use rice sourced from the Yeongyang region. Among these, Milky Way Makgeolli is now sold in over 700 Kyochon Chicken locations nationwide, expanding consumer access.
Notably, the 12% alcohol 'Milky Way Starry Night' won the top prize in the high-grade traditional liquor category at the 'Korean Traditional Liquor Competition.' It was also selected as the official dinner beverage for the '2025 APEC Leaders' Meeting' held last year.
A representative from Fermentation Workshop 1991 stated, 'It is meaningful to have the value of this century-old space and the traditional liquor made from local agricultural products recognized through public voting. We will continue to grow alongside the local community and provide differentiated regional tourism content for visitors to Yeongyang.'
* This article has been translated by AI.
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