Centuries-old style makgeolli to toast the APEC ministerial banquet

When ministers from across the Asia-Pacific gathered for dinner in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, this week, their glasses will be filled not with champagne or wine, but with makgeolli, Korea’s signature fermented rice drink.

The drink to be served at the official banquet of the APEC Joint Ministerial Meeting on Foreign and Trade Affairs (AMM) on Wednesday and Thursday is “A Night Counting Stars in the Milky Way,” a 12 percent ABV premium makgeolli brewed by Bal-Hyo Gongbang 1991 Inc., the makgeolli-focused subsidiary of Korean fried chicken giant Kyochon F&B.

Not made exclusively for APEC, this particular makgeolli has already earned recognition for its craftsmanship. In August, it won the grand prize in the 12 percent ABV category for high-alcohol unfiltered makgeolli at the 2025 Korea Traditional Liquor Awards, hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

The AMM, co-chaired by Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and Minister for Trade Yeo Han-koo, serves as the final ministerial forum ahead of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting. Alongside talks on digital trade and regional cooperation, Korea uses the banquet to introduce parts of its culinary tradition.

"A Night Counting Stars in the Milky Way" is no ordinary makgeolli. The drink is a modern interpretation of "gamhyangju," a delicately aromatic fermented alcohol described in "Umsik Timibang", Korea’s oldest known culinary text, written in the 17th century by scholar Chang Kye-hyang.

This is not the thick, rustic makgeolli served in plastic bottles at neighborhood pubs. Bal-Hyo Gongbang 1991 brews it with rice grown in Yeongyang County and ferments it over a minimum of 15 days using house-cultured nuruk, a traditional fermentation starter.

The result is a makgeolli that balances body and clarity, sweetness and floral aroma, more polished than the everyday versions found in casual Korean eateries, yet unmistakably traditional.

It is also available to the public.

As part of its AMM sponsorship, Kyochon F&B also operated a K-food station near the APEC International Media Center, offering tastings of its brush-glazed chicken to foreign guests and reporters.

“We’re honored that both Kyochon chicken and Bal-Hyo Gongbang 1991’s makgeolli were introduced on the global APEC stage,” a Kyochon spokesperson said. “Through these two brands, one rooted in innovation, the other in tradition, we wanted to show the depth of Korean food culture.”

Source : https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10603345

Comprehension

What drink was served to ministers during the APEC Joint Ministerial Meeting in Gyeongju?
What is the name of the makgeolli served at the banquet?
Which company brews “A Night Counting Stars in the Milky Way”?
What award did this makgeolli win in August 2025?
What is the alcohol content (ABV) of this premium makgeolli?
How is this makgeolli different from regular makgeolli sold in local pubs?
What kind of rice and fermentation method does Bal-Hyo Gongbang 1991 use?
What message did Kyochon F&B want to share by presenting their chicken and makgeolli at the APEC event?

Discussion

What do you think about Korea using traditional drinks like makgeolli in international events?
How can food and drink represent a country’s culture?
Have you ever tried any traditional drinks from your country or others?
Do you think it’s important to modernize traditional foods and drinks? Why or why not?
Why might guests at international events appreciate local foods?
What challenges do traditional food producers face when trying to make their products popular worldwide?
How does makgeolli differ from drinks in your own culture?
Why do you think Korea chose to highlight both fried chicken and makgeolli at the APEC event?
What role can food play in diplomacy or building international relationships?
Would you like to try “A Night Counting Stars in the Milky Way”? Why or why not?

Vocabulary

Fermented – chemically changed by bacteria or yeast to produce alcohol or acid.
Banquet – a large formal meal for many people, often for a special occasion.
Subsidiary – a smaller company controlled by a larger company.
Craftsmanship – skill in making something with care and quality.
Forum – a meeting or event for discussion of important topics.
Interpretation – a new way of understanding or presenting something traditional.
Aromatic – having a pleasant and distinctive smell.
Tradition – customs or beliefs passed down from generation to generation