# Chicago Brews Korea’s Oldest Drink

> Chicago’s Yido Brews makes makgeolli, Korea’s oldest alcoholic drink.
- Title: Chicago Brews Korea’s Oldest Drink · Chicago Sun-Times
- Summary: Chicago’s Yido Brews makes makgeolli, Korea’s oldest alcoholic drink. Chicago’s Yido Brews founder Peter Chung now produces makgeolli, a naturally fermented…
- Keywords: yido, makgeolli, peter chung, chicago, brewery, korea, rice wine, fermentation, news, local, Brews, Oldest
- Source: Chicago Sun-Times — https://chicago.suntimes.com/food-drink/2026/10/19/yido-makgeolli-brewery-chicago-peter-chung
- Published: 2026-10-19T10:30:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: yido, makgeolli, peter chung, chicago, brewery, korea, rice wine, fermentation, news, local
## Yido Brews Launches
Chicago’s Yido Brews produces makgeolli, Korea’s oldest alcoholic drink.
## Makgeolli Explained
Makgeolli is an unfiltered rice wine naturally fermented with a starter culture.
## Peter Chung’s Story
Peter Chung, born in Chicago, discovered makgeolli during a 2018-2019 fellowship in Seoul.
## Chung’s Home Brewing
Chung brewed makgeolli at home for years before opening Yido Brews in Chicago.
## Early Challenges
Chung faced failed batches with solvent or bitter flavors during home brewing.
## White Tiger Makgeolli
Yido’s flagship White Tiger makgeolli is sweet with a creamy texture.
## Three Years of Experiment
Chung spent three years perfecting makgeolli batches before opening Yido Brews.
## Chicago’s Makgeolli Scene
Chicago now has Yido Brews as its only local makgeolli producer.
## Yido’s Name Meaning
Yido is a Korean term for ‘Second City,’ referencing Chicago’s nickname.
## Chung’s New Role
Chung left his Sierra Club Illinois job to focus on Yido Brews full-time.
## Future Plans
Chung aims to open a brewpub serving as a community space for Chicago.
## Makgeolli’s Popularity
Makgeolli is popular in South Korea with over 760 licensed breweries producing 2,000 varieties.
## Yido’s Impact
Yido Brews fills a gap in Chicago’s craft beverage scene with authentic makgeolli.
## Chung’s Motivation
Chung felt others would brew makgeolli, but he was the first to do it in Chicago.
## Key takeaway

Chicago’s Yido Brews founder Peter Chung now produces makgeolli, a naturally fermented rice wine from Korea, after years of home brewing.