Busan Craft Beer Masters Challenge runs Friday through Sunday at the North Port landmark site

The main poster for the 2026 Busan Craft Beer Masters Challenge [Busan city government]
The main poster for the 2026 Busan Craft Beer Masters Challenge [Busan city government]

A craft beer festival is coming to Busan's North Port, the waterfront area that became a national attraction after a shark nicknamed "Bukang-i" was spotted there. The city of Busan and the Busan Economic Promotion Agency announced Wednesday that the 2026 Busan Craft Beer Masters Challenge will be held at the North Port landmark site from Friday through Sunday, running daily from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The event was organized to boost Busan's craft beer industry and expand sales channels for local small businesses. It will take place against the backdrop of Busan Port Bridge and the sea, offering visitors a chance to sample local craft beers alongside a variety of food.

This year's event goes beyond a traditional craft beer judging competition to become a public festival. Eight Busan-based craft breweries will participate, and the best craft beer of the year will be selected based on a combination of expert judging, public votes by a citizen panel called the "Viking Judges," and sales performance over the three days.

The venue will be themed around "Vikings docking at North Port to chart the Arctic route." Visitors can tour the festival grounds, sample craft beers, and take part in a stamp tour and citizen panel voting.

Food and entertainment will also be on offer. Local food and beverage small businesses will serve dishes paired with craft beer, while a flea market and hands-on booths will showcase products and services from local small businesses throughout the three-day event.

"We have strengthened the competition and participatory content so that citizens can taste, evaluate and enjoy Busan's representative craft beers firsthand," said Jeong Deok-won, a division head at the Busan Economic Promotion Agency. "We hope visitors will come enjoy Busan craft beer and the diverse food offerings from local small businesses at North Port, with Busan Port Bridge as the backdrop."


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