Suwon | Traditional Korean Liquor Tasting Class

• What is A Festival in Glass at the Suwon Hwaseong Festival?

A Festival in Glass is a traditional Korean liquor program held at Jegongheon, part of the Suwon Center for Traditional Culture, during the Suwon Hwaseong Festival. It is built around "sul", the catch-all word for traditional Korean alcohol, which has been part of Korean festivals for centuries and was a drink King Jeongjo himself cherished. Rather than a bar crawl or a generic tasting flight, the program treats sul as culture: where it came from, how it is brewed and filtered, why each region tastes different, and how it earned its place at every celebration. It all takes place inside a traditional Korean hanok, which gives the tasting a setting that matches the drink, and the whole session is guided in English for international visitors.

• What can I do at the traditional Korean liquor experience in Suwon?

The program runs about 80 minutes and is split into three parts. Part one is the story of traditional Korean liquor through history: a traditional liquor expert demonstrates how sul is brewed and filtered, and you taste as you go. Part two moves to local producers, with a lineup of traditional liquors made by breweries in Suwon so you can compare the character and flavor of each one side by side. Part three puts a glass in your hands, as you mix your own hondonju, a Korean-style cocktail built on traditional Korean liquor, and take traditional drinking culture somewhere modern. Sessions are kept to 20 people, so the expert is close enough to answer questions, and the pace is unhurried throughout. It makes a natural evening stop if you are already in Suwon for the Suwon Hwaseong Festival.

[Program Information]

Date: 10. 5.(Monday) ~ 10. 11.(Sunday) 17:00, 19:30 (approx. 80 mins)
※ The 17:00 session is available only on weekends and public holidays.
Venue: Jegongheon, Suwon Center for Traditional Culture
Participants: International visitors aged 19 and above, with up to 20 participants per session

* The program consists of three parts.

Part 1: The Story of Traditional Korean Liquor Throughout History
Watch a demonstration by a traditional Korean liquor expert, learn about the process of filtering traditional Korean liquor, and enjoy a tasting.

Part 2: Traditional Liquor Tasting from Local Suwon Breweries
Taste a variety of traditional liquors made in Suwon and discover the unique characteristics and flavors of each drink.

Part 3: Make a Korean-Style Cocktail "Hondonju"
Create your own Hondonju using traditional Korean liquor and enjoy a unique way of experiencing traditional Korean drinks.
 

Discover the rich flavors and stories of traditional Korean liquor in the atmosphere of a traditional Korean hanok. Experience Korea’s history and culture in every glass at the Suwon Hwaseong Festival.