Maryland’s First Makgeolli Brewery (and Why You Need to Visit)
SUPER excited to share today’s post with you guys! I’ve been meaning to check out JS Brewery for weeks now, so I’m glad I finally made it happen. Located right in Columbia, they’re one of the only makgeolli breweries in the entire United States… and honestly, how freaking cool is it that this exists in HoCo?! Hell yeah!!! We have so many gems hidden throughout the Maryland burbs, and this is definitely one of them. Proud moment.
What Is Makgeolli?
If you’re unfamiliar with makgeolli (막걸리), get ready for a fun little introduction to one of Korea’s oldest traditional drinks. Makgeolli is a 2000-year-old Korean rice wine made from just three ingredients: rice, nuruk (a fermentation starter), and water. It’s cloudy, lightly sparkling, tangy and a little sweet. Basically… delightful.
Most commercial makgeolli you’ll find in the States is pasteurized and lower in ABV, but JS Brewery makes theirs unpasteurized for a richer, more traditional flavor. Their bottles range from 10–12% ABV, so it’s definitely different from the “yakult vibes” versions people often associate with makgeolli.
What They Offer
JS Brewery has four different varieties available, and the best part? They offer free tastings at their taproom. Highly recommend doing the full tasting so you can find your favorite.
My favorite was their Black Rice makgeolli. I ended up grabbing a bottle for my dad because I knew he’d appreciate it. The others were a bit more on the earthy side for my taste, but I’m super curious to hear what you guys think!
What makes JS Brewery so special is the level of craft and intention behind everything they do. Each bottle is $30 (tax included) and completely handmade using traditional Korean brewing methods. There are absolutely no preservatives, artificial sweeteners, or artificial colors.
The founders, Rajiv Aggarwal and Jung-Sun Cho, are deeply passionate about Korean culture and community education, and it shows in every part of their work. They also host the cutest events, from their recent Pepero Day celebration to an upcoming K-Pop: Demon Hunters watch party. Definitely follow them on Instagram so you don’t miss out on what they’re planning next.
If you want to keep the Korean night going after your tastings, Kong Pocha is right here in Columbia too, serving Korean fried chicken and drinks until 2am on weekends.
📍 8970 MD-108 STE B, Columbia, MD
⏰ T–Sa, 2–6 PM
For more on yum Columbia eats, click here.