Tiffany Needham is a co-owner of Magpie Brewing Co, a local craft brewing company in South Korea. From their company bio: Magpie Brewing Co. is committed to creating the best craft beers possible and growing the culture of craft beer in Korea. We work hard to balance traditional beer styles with innovative recipes and flavors.
Magpie can be found in Noksapyeong, Hongdae, and Jeju. Connect with Magpie on Facebook or their website.
Show Notes
01:20 getting Magpie started
04:30 what its like owning a business as foreigners
05:49 getting a business license
06:29 how long to get a business license
07:29 deciding what beers to launch with
08:48 on policy, industry and growing the operation
13:40 why own a brewery
15:00 brewing logistics
16:53 what did Magpie want to be
19:52 customer demographics
20:48 on menu changes
22:53 running a small business in Korea
26:29 on feminism and business
29:25 hardest part of running a business
30:25 what its like to work at Magpie
32:00 on competitiveness and size
33:00 how Magpie distinguishes itself
35:15 on gentrification
39:58 what’s next for Magpie
44:02 the Fail Ale
45:43 hardest beer to brew
47:53 hard liquors
48:20 where the name Magpie come from
49:21 describe working at Magpie in one word
51:12 beer stereotypes in Korea
53:10 competing with the big guys
57:50 what do Magpie employees drink
58:51 on starting ones own brewery in South Korea
01:01:50 what business would you do if you couldn’t brew
People, Places, Things Mentioned on the Show
Arario Museum (아라리오 뮤지엄)
Cheonan (천안)
Coffee Smith (커피스미스)
Gapyeong (가평)
Haebongchon (해방촌)
Hierarchy in the Korean workplace
Hongdae (홍대)
Ilsan (일산)
Itaewon (이태원)
Jeju (제주도)
Magpie Brewing Company (맥파이)
Networking in Korea (인맥)
Noksapyeong (녹사평)
Oriental Brewery (OB)
South Korea Policy on Craft Beer (2014)
Tapdong (탑동)
The Booth Brewing Company (더부스 브루잉)
Woori Super (우리슈퍼)
Yeonnamdong (연남동)