{"id":790649,"date":"2026-02-13T16:16:01","date_gmt":"2026-02-13T16:16:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.abnewswire.com\/pressreleases\/?p=790649"},"modified":"2026-02-13T16:16:01","modified_gmt":"2026-02-13T16:16:01","slug":"beyond-the-green-bottle-minhwa-spirits-emerges-as-the-leading-soju-and-makgeolli-expert-in-the-us","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.abnewswire.com\/pressreleases\/beyond-the-green-bottle-minhwa-spirits-emerges-as-the-leading-soju-and-makgeolli-expert-in-the-us_790649.html","title":{"rendered":"Beyond the Green Bottle: Minhwa Spirits Emerges as the Leading Soju and Makgeolli Expert in the U.S."},"content":{"rendered":"
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Operating as America\u2019s first and only dedicated Korean “Brewstillery,” Georgia-based Minhwa Spirits controls the entire grain-to-glass process under one roof, earning global “Best of Class” awards and redefining the American Soju and Makgeolli landscape.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Minhwa Spirits has emerged as the premier authority on Korean alcohol in the U.S., becoming the only known American “Brewstillery” to brew traditional Makgeolli, distill world-champion Soju, and brew Korean Rice Lager all under one roof.<\/div>\n

DORAVILLE, GA – <\/strong>As the American palate awakens to the complexities of traditional Korean fermentation, Minhwa Spirits<\/strong> has firmly established itself as the premier Soju and Makgeolli expert in the US<\/strong>. By operating as the country’s only known facility to simultaneously brew artisanal rice wine and distill world-class spirits in-house, Minhwa Spirits is setting a new, uncompromising standard for American-made Korean alcohol.<\/p>\n

This dedication to comprehensive, grain-to-glass production was recently validated on the global stage. The distillery’s flagship Yong Soju<\/strong> was crowned Best of Class Soju<\/strong> and awarded a Double Gold Medal<\/strong> at the prestigious 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC)<\/em>, effectively naming it the best soju in the world. This follows its “Soju of the Year”<\/strong> win at the 2024 USA Spirit Ratings<\/em>.<\/p>\n

The “Brewstillery” Advantage: Total Control from Grain to Glass<\/strong><\/p>\n

While the US craft Korean alcohol scene is growing, most producers focus on either brewing (Makgeolli) or<\/em> distilling (Soju). Minhwa Spirits is unique in its identity as a true Brewstillery<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Located in Doraville, Georgia, Founders James Kim and Ming Han Chung control every step of the ancient process. They start by brewing their own Makgeolli base using the “Holy Trinity” of Korean fermentation: locally sourced rice, pristine water, and Nuruk<\/strong> (a traditional wild yeast and enzyme starter).<\/p>\n

“To truly be an expert in Korean spirits, you have to understand the brew just as intimately as the distillation,”<\/em> says James Kim, Co-founder of Minhwa Spirits. “Because we brew our own Makgeolli and distill our own Soju right here in our facility, we don’t have to compromise. We aren’t just bottling alcohol; we are practicing ‘Sohn-maht’—the Korean philosophy of ‘hand taste’—at every single stage of fermentation and distillation.”<\/em><\/p>\n

The Definitive Portfolio of American-Made Korean Alcohol<\/strong><\/p>\n

Minhwa Spirits is educating consumers and beverage directors alike with a diverse, award-winning portfolio that proves the Best American made soju<\/strong> is rooted in tradition, not artificial sweeteners.<\/p>\n