Hana Makgeolli

Hana Makgeolli is a Brooklyn wine tasting room with a distinct focus on makgeolli, the traditional Korean fermented rice wine, earning a 4.2 rating from 84 reviewers. It brings a drink that's been central to Korean culture for centuries into a Brooklyn setting that's receptive to artisan and international fermentation traditions. Brooklyn's Koreatown-adjacent neighborhoods and strong foodie culture make it a natural location for a specialty tasting room like this. It's genuinely different from anything else on this list, and that's the point.

The tasting room centers on makgeolli, a lightly sparkling, milky rice wine with a lower alcohol content and a flavor profile that ranges from sweet to tangy depending on the batch. Guests can taste through different styles and producers, learning about the fermentation process and how ingredients affect the final pour. Staff are typically knowledgeable about pairing makgeolli with Korean cuisine, which adds an educational dimension to the visit. Some tasting rooms of this type also stock bottles for purchase, letting you bring a favorite home.

Hana Makgeolli serves guests from across Brooklyn and New York City, drawing both Korean-American communities and adventurous drinkers from neighborhoods throughout the metro area. Its Brooklyn location makes it accessible from Manhattan and other boroughs for anyone willing to make the trip for something genuinely different.