Beer Rant

It's about 6:00 on a Friday morning. Joined some folks for a few beers and pizza at What's David's. Good all around. After we all agreed the night was drawing to a close we headed home. My wife and I were attracted to a new place on a corner that plays music by request and features a pretty nice beer selection. I won't call them out directly. We went in and had a seat. We felt lucky that we were between rushes of smoking customers. We ordered a few beers and called it a night, again.

When our bill came we were stunned. Dumbfounded. Some of the beers that we ordered were over 13,000 KRW each. These same beers can be found at a 7-11 for 2,500 KRW. The math was also a little fuzzy on the bill but that part is harder to prove. I realize we could have checked the menu for prices. I realize we were provided good service. I also realize the place is pretty nice. I get all that. I don't, however, care for the mentality that says Songdoians are open game for exploitation. There's a part of me that feels they know they are shafting folks and smile...while their businesses barely stay afloat. The dust will collect on the other beer bottles in this place and in a months or maybe a year, this place will go away only to reappear as the next and greatest Korean traditional restaurant. Yawn.

Beer

When I first arrived I strolled the aisles in search of an alternative to Korean beers Hite, Cass, and OB. To my surprise I did find a few Belgian and Mexican beers. The bottles were dusty and expensive. For our obligatory housewarming party I bought damned near ever good beer available from every E-mart, Lotte, and Homever. Eighteen months later the selection seems to have improved but the price has not. I do not expect those prices to change either. I adjusted my expectations on beer prices and continue to politely say "no thanks" to the Korean beers while coughing up the dough.

Below is an ongoing list of the places I frequent near Songdo and what non-Korean beers they have. I'm not saying all of these beers are what I call good so I marked an astric next to beers I feel are exceptional for the area. If it does not have a notation, it may suck or I have not tasted it yet. This list will continue to be updated.

I'll leave you with one comment on K-beer. I was recently back to the states twice. On both occassions I had the pleasure of cruising nice Korean supermarkets. In all occassions a few Korean beers were available in the large 2 liter bottle...and they were dusty and lonely. Koreans may miss home when they move to the States but they don't miss their beer. But, Korean beer does have it's place with the food. No, Korean food is not bad, it just goes well with their beer and in a way unlike I've ever seen. Crisp, light, and tastless is a good compliment to offset the variety of Korean flavors.

Homever (Has the best selection but is a bit more expensive)
Erdinger Weiss
Erdinger Weiss* (dunkel) This is outstanding!
Duvel*
Leffe Blonde*
Leffe Dunkel*
San Miguel*
Hoegaarden*
Moosehead
Budvar
Coopers
Paulaner in several styles*
Paulaner in mini kegs!* (warning: same price as buying bottles)
Sam Adams
Tesco brand Lager
Heineken and Heineken Dark (sometimes)
Heineken mini kegs (again, same price as bottles)
Guiness
Oettinger
Asahi
XXX (sometimes)
Corona (sadly, limes are not available in Korea)
Miller

E-mart
Duvel*
Leffe Blonde*
Leffe Dunkel*
San Miguel*
Hoegaarden*
Heineken and Heineken Dark (sometimes)
Guiness
Miller
Oettinger
Asahi
XXX (sometimes)
Corona (sadly, limes are not available in Korea)
Budweiser

Lotte Mart
Duvel*
Leffe Blonde*
Leffe Dunkel*
San Miguel*
Hoegaarden*
Heineken and Heineken Dark (sometimes)
Guiness
Miller
Asahi
XXX (sometimes)
Corona (sadly, limes are not available in Korea)
Budweiser