A delegation from the North Korean Taedonggang Beer Company in Pyongyang are attending the Mikkeller Beer Celebration taking place in in Copenhagen this weekend, with help from Koryo Tours.

This North Korean-Danish beer collaboration came about after Mikkeller’s CEO, Mikel Borg Bjergsø, travelled to Pyongyang in April with the Mikkeller Running Club to take part in the Pyongyang Marathon. With the help of Koryo Tours, the Mikkeller group were able to meet up with the brewers of North Korea's best beer: Taedonggang. Bjergsø invited representatives of Taedonggang to join his beer festival in Copenhagen, an invitation that had been in the works for a while and while we had already begun laying the groundwork for.

Bringing North Korean delegates to Denmark doesn't happen easily, and we spent three years fostering relations between the respective parties to ensure that this debut could happen, including bringing the Mikkeller Running Club to the Pyongyang Marathon! We are all grateful for support from photographer David De Vleeschauwer from the online travel magazine Remote Places who pushed us to make this event happen.

Watch Mr Kim pour out the pints for thirsty Danes in the video below!

What is Taedonggang?

The Taedonggang brewery is one of the most prominent brands of beer in North Korea, being one of the very few products to have its own commercial broadcast on Korean Central TV. The company even began exporting to South Korea in 2005. It is the most popular brand of beer in North Korea, brewed from barley and underground water taken directly from the famous Taedong River. Seven variants of the drink can be found easily in bars, restaurants and hotels throughout Pyongyang.

What is Mikkeller?

The Mikkeller microbrewery was founded in Copenhagen in 2006, and and now produces beer for over 40 countries. Since 2012, the company has hosted the annual Mikkeller Beer Celebration in Copenhagen, which provides an opportunity for international beer brands to premier new products. This year is the first time they will have North Korean products at the festival, alongside beers from 104 other international breweries!

As big fans of North Korean beer ourselves, one of the most exciting prospects for us here at Koryo Tours is the possibility of a collaborative beer between the two companies. As big fans of North Korean beer ourselves, one of the most exciting prospects for us here at Koryo Tours is the possibility of a collaborative beer between the two companies. Considering that this is the first time that Taedonggang have taken part in a European beer festival, we're hoping for big things in the future!

We also run an annual Brewery Industry Tour to North Korea, where beer enthusiasts can meet local brewers and find out more about the DPRK's unique brewing industry.

Want to know more about Taedonggang? Read our alcohol in North Korea blog!