The first beer festival was held in North Korea, and it was even fun

North Korea is famous for many things, but so far in the mass consciousness this country has not been associated with alcoholic feasts in any way. However, on Friday, August 12, the capital Pyongyang hosted the first beer festival in the country's history, which gathered about 800 guests.

According to the Chinese TV channel CCTV+, the feast will last 20 days. The holiday was arranged to promote a local brand of beer — "Taedongan", which is so called in honor of one of the most famous attractions of the DPRK — the river of the same name.

(10 photos in total)

During the opening ceremony, which began at seven o'clock in the evening, about 500 guests enjoyed local lager light beer, snacking on grilled chicken under live music.

Cho Yong Nam, head of the General Bureau of Public Services, said in his welcoming speech: "This Taedongan Beer Festival, which is held on the beautiful and charming banks of the Taedongan River, is a significant event that shows the superiority and vitality of our distinctive socialist system, fully oriented towards the people."

In 2008, a New York Times article described the Taedongan beer as "a rich, slightly sweet lager with a slight bitter aftertaste." Now this beer can be tasted in North Korea or in China, where it is imported in limited quantities.

Beer in North Korea began brewing in 2002, when the old British brewery was dismantled and brought to Pyongyang.