Ordering a North Korean beer in Pyongyang
Officially at least, I made it across the border into North Korea a year ago, the same week that Kim Jong Il died. We did the DMZ tour, crossing the border from North to South in a sky blue hut in Panmunjom. Just before that however, we were able to visit two shops inside the DMZ, both of which sold authentic North Korean products. A few snacks and some alcohol. The first thing I really wanted was a North Korean beer. But alas, they didn’t have any. Please note – I finally tried North Korean beer in 2013 when I visited Pyongyang, writing about the bars of the city, the best sights in Pyongyang and loving my time in the often dubbed “hermit kingdom”.
Thirsty Thursdays – North Korean Blueberry Wine!
So an amazing alternative caught my eye – Blueberry Wine! Authentically made in North Korea. It just had to be tried.
That night after the DMZ tour we had been invited to a house party in the Sincheon area of Seoul, so I opted for a bottle of the Blueberry Wine to take to the party and sample with everyone. If I was rich, I’d have bought a load of the North Korean alcohol just to try.
On the bus back to Seoul eager to burst open my North Korean blueberry wine
So fast forward a few hours to the house party. I was very eager to open my wine. I am like a kid in these instances – when I get something new to try. So what you really want to know is – what was it like?
It was absolutely gorgeous!! I couldn’t believe it – we shared it round our group and I loved the stuff, as did most of the others. In fact I don’t think anyone had a bad word to say about it. And with that came the only regret that I didn’t buy some more.
So there you have it – today’s Thirsty Thursday on Don’t Stop Living is about North Korean alcohol – North Korean wine to be exact – or even better North Korean blueberry wine.
Whether it’s authentic or not isn’t really the point here – I enjoyed it and when I visit North Korea properly I will be on the lookout for more!
*** UPDATE just back from North Korea properly this time and can confirm it was authentic Blueberry Wine and it tastes awesome!
Here’s a video i took at the house party trying the amazing North Korean Blueberry Wine: