[DiaryPoint=Reporter Eom Ju-yong] On November 3, Hite-Jinro confirmed that it is preparing to release a ready-made “Tesla” somaek, a mix of its Terra beer and Chamisul soju. “Somaek” is the popular Korean name for soju mixed with beer. The company has confirmed plans to commercialize the drink, but it has not disclosed a launch timeline or the specific composition.
“Tesla” is not an electric car brand. It is a nickname for the combination of Terra and Chamisul, which consumers have been mixing and calling by that name since Terra launched. Hite-Jinro is now looking to turn that popular nickname into an actual product.
What has been confirmed so far is that Hite-Jinro is preparing a somaek product and that it will combine Terra and Chamisul. A company representative said the product is in preparation. However, the company has not released official product specifications or a launch schedule.
Key details that consumers want to know, including the launch date, volume, alcohol by volume (ABV), price, product name, and retail channels, cannot yet be confirmed. Because the ratio of soju to beer affects both ABV and taste, it is difficult to predict the finished product’s ABV or can size from the existing specifications of Terra or Chamisul alone.
If released as a finished product, the main difference is that people could enjoy somaek without buying soju and beer separately and mixing them at home. However, the taste and ABV may differ from a version that drinkers mix themselves to their preferred ratio. Until detailed specifications are announced, launch dates, prices, and ABV figures circulating online should not be treated as confirmed.
With Hite-Jinro’s confirmation, the product is known to be in the preparation stage, but no timeline for its actual release has been announced. The launch timing and sales method will depend on further announcements from the company.