[Visiting Breweries] 20. Stamp Tour: Jungwon Dang

The clear and pure Chungbuk intangible cultural property Cheongmyeongju

brewery that has been brewing for four generations

We brew the liquor based on the manufacturing method recorded in <Hyangjeonrok>, a document of the Kimhae Kim clan family in Chungju-si, Chungbuk, Changdong.

Due to the brewing law enacted during the Japanese colonial period, production was discontinued, but Kim Yeong-gi, a descendant of the clan, revived the original method.

He recreated it. Kim Gi-yeong was designated as a holder of Cheongmyeongju manufacturing skills and Chungbuk Intangible Cultural Property No. 2 in 1993, and currently, his son, Kim Yeong-seop, is designated as a holder of the skills and brews the liquor. The Cheongmyeongju manufacturing method is recorded in 17 ancient documents, but <Hyangjeonrok> is the only record of it being passed down to the public in the form of Gayangju.

Yi Ik (李瀷), a scholar of the late Joseon dynasty, wrote in his book <Seonghosaeol (星湖僿說)> that 'I have always loved Cheongmyeongju the most, and I am afraid that I might forget the method of brewing Cheongmyeongju, so I have recorded it.' Similarly, Yi Gyu-gyeong (李圭景), a scholar of the late Joseon dynasty, also wrote in his encyclopedia <Ojuyeonmunjangjeonsango (五洲衍文長箋散稿)> that 'Cheongmyeongju can only be made by people from Geumcheon (金遷) in our country, and it cannot be achieved without the water of Geumtan (金灘), and other regions cannot replicate it even if they try to imitate it.'

The 'Geumcheon' mentioned above refers to Changdong-ri, Jungangtap-myeon, Chungju-si, where Jungwon Dang is currently located.

The 'water of Geumtan' refers to the water of Susalmegi (a covering stone that properly blocks the place where two waters meet and exit), where the mountain water of Dalcheon and Changgol in Chungju and the Namhan River meet. After the construction of Chungju Dam, this water could no longer be used, so now, we are using underground bedrock water.

Jungwon Dang will not be complacent with the reality of being an intangible cultural property and will continue to create new traditions.

Source: Jungwon Dang Homepage

In 2018, Cheongmyeongju Yakju, and in 2019, Takju

received the Grand Prize at the Korea Liquor Awards.

The store is not very spacious, but

the interior is designed with a sense of style.

In 2021, it was selected as a Chuseok gift for the Blue House.

Experience Programs

·Traditional Liquor Experience (includes 375㎖ Takju / 20,000 won / 1 person or more)

·Ceramics Experience (includes 1 ceramic piece / 20,000 won / 1 person or more)