# Youngwon Lee

> Youngwon Lee is the founder and CEO of Dokkaebier, an Oakland-based craft brewery built around Asian ingredients and Korean folklore. After more than a decade in the wine and spirits trade across Seoul and California, he launched Dokkaebier in February 2020, named for the mischievous shape-shifting spirits of Korean myth. He brews beers like a kimchi sour and a yuzu blonde, and set out to change an industry where only about 2% of professionals identify as Asian American. In three years he released 40-plus beers, reached 400-plus retailers, and in 2023 acquired Oakland's Federation Brewing to take over its taproom near Jack London Square.

- **Role:** Founder & CEO at Dokkaebier
- **Organizations:** Dokkaebier, Council of Korean Americans (member), Korean American Community Foundation of San Francisco (associate board member)
- **From:** South Korea
- **Nationality:** Korean American
- **Education:** UC Berkeley
- **Known for:** Built Dokkaebier from a 2020 launch into a brand in 400+ retailers including Whole Foods, H Mart, BevMo! and Total Wine, Developed and released more than 40 original craft beers, Won World Beer Championships medals and 10 Brewski Awards (2021-2022); milk stout earned Beer of the Year

## Career timeline

- **2008** — Founded a wine import and distribution company, building a portfolio across wine, vodka, tequila and champagne
- **2014** — Built a brewery in Korea; opened tasting and bottle shop venues in Seoul (Shinsa-dong and Cheongdam-dong)
- **2019** — Conceptualized Dokkaebier
- **2020** — Officially launched Dokkaebier in February, just before the COVID-19 lockdowns
- **2021-2022** — Won World Beer Championships medals and 10 Brewski Awards; milk stout named Beer of the Year
- **2023** — Acquired Oakland's Federation Brewing, taking over its taproom and production facility at 420 3rd St near Jack London Square

## Achievements

- Built Dokkaebier from a 2020 launch into a brand in 400+ retailers including Whole Foods, H Mart, BevMo! and Total Wine
- Developed and released more than 40 original craft beers
- Won World Beer Championships medals and 10 Brewski Awards (2021-2022); milk stout earned Beer of the Year
- Surpassed $1 million in sales within roughly three years
- Acquired Oakland's Federation Brewing in 2023, gaining a taproom and production facility

## Latest updates

- **2023-04** — Dokkaebier acquired Oakland's Federation Brewing and its taproom near Jack London Square
- **2023-11** — Featured by Oaklandside and Good Beer Hunting as the brewery's kimchi sour and 'out there' flavors built a following

## Links

- Website: https://enjoydkb.com
- LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/youngwon-lee
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ywlee
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dokkaebier201/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Youngwon01/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/youngwon-lee
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-06-20