The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) kicks off the first Taedonggang beer festival on Aug. 12, 2016, with hundreds of Pyongyang residents and foreign guests present.( Xinhua/Liu Rui)
PYONGYANG, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) kicked off the first Taedonggang beer festival here Friday evening, with hundreds of Pyongyang residents and foreign guests present.
The beer festival, which runs from 7 p.m. to midnight local time and will last around 20 days, was initiated by the DPRK's supreme leader Kim Jong Un and is planned to be held each year thereafter.
Taedonggang draft beer, classified into seven categories by varied proportions of malt and rice in the brewing process, is provided at the festival at a price ranging from 50 U.S. cents to 2.5 dollars. Fried chicken with different flavors and mutton shashlik are also supplied.
Artistic performances were given on the stage after Choe Yong Nam, director of the General Bureau of Public Service and chairman of the organizing committee of the beer festival, addressed the opening ceremony.
Choe said that the festival presents an important opportunity to further publicize Taedonggang beer and promote its competitiveness. He also welcomed advice and feedback on the beer from beer lovers and hoped this event can showcase the DPRK people's positive and optimistic attitude toward life as well as the new development of the country.
The beer gala venue is separated into two, one on the banks along the Taedonggang River and the other on the Taedonggang sightseeing cruise.
Admission is 3 dollars per person and includes two free beers on draft. Attendants need to pay extra for chicken and other snacks.
Taedonggang beer, named after the Taedonggang River, is the DPRK's bestselling beer and has gained popularity both at home and abroad. The Taedonggang brewery, located in Sadong District in Pyongyang, provides the high-quality beer in bottles and on draft to locals all year round.
