This study explored the suitability of nurungji as a substitute for malt. Rice beers (R20, R40, R60) and nurungji beers (N20, N40, N60) were prepared by substituting 20%, 40%, and 60% malt with the rice and nurungji, respectively. All samples were fermented at 25oC for 5 days and stored at 2oC for 15 days to study quality characteristics. The pH value of wort solution was the highest at R60. The viable cell counts of all samples were not significantly different during fermentation and storage. As the amount of rice and nurungji increased, the L value in chromaticity increased, whereas the a and b values tended to decrease during fermentation and storage. The reducing sugar, soluble solid contents, and specific gravity of the wort solution were higher in nurungji beer than in rice beer. After fermentation and storage, the alcohol content of N40 was 5.83%, the highest among the prepared rice and nurungji beers. The total polyphenol, flavonoid contents, DPPH, and ABTS scavenging activity of beer decreased with increased rice and nurungji substitution ratios during fermentation and storage. Notably, nurungji beer showed higher antioxidant activity than rice beer during fermentation and storage.