The name 'Sansawon' literally translates to 'Garden of Hawthorn,' inspired by the hawthorn tree species planted throughout the grounds.
The hundreds of earthenware jars in the outdoor courtyard are purposefully exposed to natural weather conditions to influence the fermentation character.
The facility is operated by the family behind the famous Korean brand 'Bae Sang Myun', known for industrializing traditional brewing methods.
The museum serves as an archive for ancient brewing recipes collected from across the Korean peninsula.
The outdoor yard is designed according to principles of traditional Korean landscape architecture, aligning the jars with the surrounding mountainous terrain.
Sansawon is a specialized museum and gallery dedicated to traditional Korean alcohol, operated by the Baesangmyeon Brewery. The site features an extensive collection of fermentation vessels, brewing equipment, and historical documents related to the history of Korean liquor. A distinctive outdoor courtyard, the Saseon-ga, displays hundreds of large earthenware jars known as 'onggi' containing maturing alcohol. Visitors can participate in hands-on brewing workshops or guided tasting sessions of various regional rice wines. The facility includes a research center focused on the preservation of traditional fermentation techniques. The museum is located in the rural landscape of Pocheon, known for its clean water sources essential for high-quality spirits. The venue serves as both a cultural education center and a functional production site for modern craft versions of traditional beverages. It provides insight into the seasonal production cycles of Korean alcohol and the importance of specific rice varieties. Architecture at the site emphasizes a traditional aesthetic designed to complement the nature of the fermentation process.
The elevated viewing deck overlooking the extensive field of brown ceramic onggi jars.
Participate in the tasting flight to sample fermented products not commonly exported.
Check the calendar in advance if you wish to join a scheduled brewing class.
Bring comfortable walking shoes to navigate the outdoor earthen courtyard area.
Avoid arriving without checking the website for private event closures, as the venue occasionally hosts corporate functions.
Open daily, but occasionally closed for private company events; check the official portal before departure.
