"Ordered Draft Beer, Why Pour Leftover Beer?"... Controversy Over Reuse at Maekjujip

Beer Pub Recycling Draft Beer
Beer Gathered in Beer Tray...
Poured 'Gush' Directly into Customer's Glass

Recently, amid allegations that a restaurant in Gwangju reused leftover side dishes, a new controversy has arisen with a story about someone witnessing draft beer being reused at a pub.

An employee pouring flat beer from a beer tray into a customer's glass.
[Photo by Online Community]

On the 28th, a post titled "Controversial Pub" was uploaded on various online communities and social networking services (SNS). The author, Mr. A, claimed, "I saw an unusual scene at the pub, so I turned on my phone camera because something felt off and ordered draft beer. But they gave customers leftover beer," and shared a video capturing the situation.

In the video released by Mr. A, a woman who appears to be a staff member takes a frozen 500cc draft beer glass from the freezer and goes to the draft beer dispenser (keg tap), glancing at the table where Mr. A is seated. She then pours flat beer collected in the drip tray under the dispenser into Mr. A’s glass and pours fresh draft beer on top to conceal it. The flat beer in the drip tray is the foam or beer that dripped while pouring the original beer, collected to avoid spillage.

Mr. A explained the situation, saying, "I have never worked in a bar, so I’m really curious and asked. I wonder if it’s normal to collect the beer spilled while pouring draft beer and reuse it in the ordered beer. They even used a ladle to scoop the flat beer."

Netizens who saw the story reacted with comments such as, "What kind of taste does flat draft beer have?", "They recycle everything," "Is this some kind of craft mixed beer?", "How can anyone drink that, it’s disgusting," "It’s infuriating how cleverly they mix it," and "How much could they possibly save by doing that?"

Meanwhile, according to the Food Sanitation Act, establishments that recycle food are subject to a 15-day business suspension for the first offense, two months for the second, and three months for the third administrative penalty. Criminal penalties are also possible, with offenders facing up to three years in prison or fines up to 30 million won.