Busan

Busan is South Korea's second city and, by most accounts, its most exciting craft beer destination outside Seoul. The scene is anchored in two coastal neighbourhoods — Gwangalli and Haeundae — where the combination of beachside foot traffic, a large expat and student population, and a genuine local following has allowed a cluster of independent breweries to grow into something substantial. Galmegi Brewing, founded at Gwangalli in 2014 as the city's first American-style craft brewpub, now operates multiple locations across Busan and has become one of the most recognised craft beer brands in Korea. Gorilla Brewing followed, establishing a large industrial-style taproom near Gwangan Beach with 24-plus house taps and a regular events programme. Wild Wave Brewing brought a different flavour to the scene — specialising in sour and wild-fermented ales at a time when that style was almost unheard of in Korea, and building a loyal following for its rotating tap list of experimental and barrel-aged beers. Beyond the flagship breweries, the Gwangalli strip and the streets running back from Haeundae Beach have accumulated a solid selection of taprooms, bottle shops, and craft bars. The beer quality in Busan is consistently high, the venues tend to be unpretentious and welcoming to visitors, and the backdrop — Gwangan Bridge lit up at night, the seafront promenade, the warm-weather beach energy — makes for some of the best craft beer drinking scenery in Asia. Busan is also a short KTX ride or budget flight from Seoul, making it an easy addition to any South Korea trip for anyone who cares about what's in the glass.