How It All Started: The Story Behind Dokkaebier

So, why are we doing this? When the pandemic hit, all of the direct customer interactions we used to have as a brand disappeared. I wanted to take this opportunity to share who we are, what we do, and actually show my face — because many people had only seen me delivering beer, not running the brewery.

About two years ago, I decided to start my own craft brewery. I began brainstorming ideas with my wife, and she suggested something that would become the heart of our brand: “Dokkaebi.”

Dokkaebis are mythical creatures in Korean folklore — mischievous, energetic, and known for enjoying food, drink, and social gatherings. That perfectly captured the identity I wanted for the brewery. So, we named the brand Dokkaebier — a playful nod to these creatures while also clearly signaling that it’s a beer company.

We also wanted the spirit of the dokkaebi to reflect in how we operate — fun, lively, and approachable. And that’s how the name was born.

We officially launched Dokkaebier in February 2020, right before COVID-19 changed everything. My initial plans were completely upended, but we adapted quickly, navigating the challenges of the pandemic and surviving our first year. Last month marked our anniversary — a quiet celebration, but a milestone nonetheless, as we continue to grow despite these unprecedented times.

This is our office, where we produced our very first beers: Bamboo Pilsner, OG Witbier, and Milk Stout. These three beers came out really well and became our first flagship batches, all brewed at Del Cielo Brewery during our initial pop-up store launch.

Our office is also where I handle accounting, logistics, communications with our contract breweries, and team coordination — all done over Zoom. Some of our staff members I’ve never even met in person because of COVID restrictions.

Since the pop-up store, we’ve focused on distributing our beers directly to consumers online and through Bay Area deliveries. We’ve also expanded into Humboldt County, Sacramento, and Los Angeles.

This journey isn’t just about beer — it’s about sharing the story of a startup brewery, from recipe creation and brewing to deliveries and daily operations. There are good days, bad days, and everything in between.

We plan to share a series of episodes highlighting the behind-the-scenes life of the brewery — from making deliveries and developing recipes to celebrating milestones and overcoming challenges. If you’re curious about how Dokkaebier came to life, our creative process, and what it’s like running a craft brewery during a pandemic, stay tuned for future episodes.

Cheers to the journey, and we hope to see you again soon! 🍻