Press

JS Brewery

8970 Route 108 Suite B, Columbia MD 21045

Phone: 650-924-1313
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jsbrewerymd/ (@jsbrewerymd)
Website: https://jsbrewery.com

Mission

We strive to build a community incorporating Korean History and Culture associated with the rich history of traditional Makgeolli (막걸리) brewing and Korean Sool (술).

About JS Brewery

We brew fresh/unpasteurized Makgeolli (생막걸리) which has 2000 years of history and tradition (전통술). Our products are naturally fermented (자연발효) and contain prebiotics & live probiotics. No additives or preservatives(무첨가물). Each batch is handcrafted (수제막걸리). Makgeolli is born in Korea, now made in Maryland.

Information about how we brew can be found here: https://jsbrewery.com/process/

Background

JS Brewery opened its doors in August 2025. But the story starts years before. We are a family business and the members (husband and wife) have deep passion for traditional Korean Sool (술). They each couldn’t find good makgeolli when they met in Ann Arbor Michigan in 2020. Thus began a multi-year journey of homebrewing and exploration into US brewing regulations. After a false start in Michigan they moved to Seoul where they researched various makgeolli breweries, tooks classes to further their knowledge and participated in local events. They returned to the US and took up residence in Maryland. After 1.5 years of continued efforts they were finally able to open JS Brewery.

Members

Rajiv Aggarwal

Rajiv is an Aerospace Engineer. But shortly after university he switched to Computer Science and spent many years in California, Vancouver Canada and Seoul S. Korea. While working at Coupang (쿠팡) he spent many weekends and nights drinking traditional Korean Sool (술). Between rainy days with makgeolli and jeon (Korean fried pancakes), company dinners (회식), and being greeted with makgeolli upon summiting mountains (등산) he became interested in how makgeolli was part of the culture. Upon returning to the U.S. he found the local market lacking and his brewing journey began.

Jung-Sun Cho

Jung-Sun Cho is a scientist, fermentation educator, and co-founder of JS Brewery. Although she earned her Ph.D. in biomedical science from Korea University, she brings nearly three decades of research experience across diverse fields of biology, including molecular biology, neuroscience, stem cell biology, translational research, immunology, and infectious diseases. She approaches makgeolli as both a living cultural heritage and a biological process. She earned her certification in traditional makgeolli brewing in 2022.

At JS Brewery, she leads brewing innovation, education programs, and cultural initiatives, integrating traditional Korean brewing with modern fermentation science. Through workshops, public lectures, and collaborations with institutions such as the Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art and the Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C., she shares makgeolli as a bridge between science, culture, and community.

Gayeon Kim

Gayeon (daughter) is our resident artist. She designs, paints and decorates. All of our chalkboard signs are designed and drawn by her. The wall painting (Irworobongdo/일월오봉도) was reimagined specifically to fill an entire wall (it was typically behind the King’s throne). She is currently attending High School.

Tasting Room

We are fully licensed as a brewery and taproom. But our main goal is to build a community. Our tasting room and adjoining meeting room is meant to encourage conversation and highlight lesser known aspects of Korean History and Culture. We regularly host events related to Korean Culture, historical events, traditional holidays, etc. Background on these events can be found on our website:

https://jsbrewery.com/culture/couple-holidays/
https://jsbrewery.com/culture/cultural-days/
https://jsbrewery.com/culture/historical-events/
https://jsbrewery.com/culture/traditional-holidays/