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OB introduces Korea’s first state-backed draft
beer quality seal
By Jhoo
Dong-chan, The Korea Times - Oriental Brewery (OB) said Tuesday it had
introduced what it described as the country’s first government-backed
certification program for draft beer quality management, a move aimed at
raising hygiene standards and supporting food service operators nationwide.
The program,
called the Master Draft Manager (MDM), awards credentials to individuals who
demonstrate proficiency in draft beer sanitation and quality control.
OB said the
certification is backed by the Ministry of Employment and Labor, giving it an
official standing that distinguishes it from conventional one-time industry
training.
The MDM
credential is administered jointly with Kinoco, one of OB’s partner companies
with 14 years of experience in draft beer quality training and equipment
management systems.
OB said the
partnership combines Kinoco's technical expertise with its own quality
management practices.
Candidates
must complete a four-stage process comprising classroom instruction, hands-on
training, an online written exam and an on-site practical assessment. The
curriculum covers sanitation procedures, supply line cleaning, carbonation
pressure adjustment, glassware management and storage methods for maintaining
freshness.
Those who pass
all four stages will receive an official MDM certificate and a display plaque
for their establishment.
OB said
certified venues will also receive branded glassware, a quality management tool
kit and social media marketing support.
"The
quality of draft beer starts with precise management of draft equipment,"
an OB official said.
"We aim
to raise the industry's quality standard in partnership with Kinoco, and will
work to strengthen the competitiveness of food service operators and build an
environment where consumers can trust the draft beer they drink."
Since
launching in 2026, the MDM program has expanded to more than 220 establishments
across Korea, OB added.
This article
was published with the assistance of generative AI and edited by The Korea
Times.
