Christopher Wong
How did you get into the beer industry? Why does beer matter to you?
I fell into beer the long way: I tasted my first Anchor Steam at Ferry Building and decided to move to San Francisco (to work as a tax accountant...), which led me learn about homebrewing from SF Brewcraft. Years after when I returned to Hong Kong (and with the help of the guys from SF Brewcraft) I started HK Brewcraft to give brewers access to ingredients, equipment, and education. From there I went from small-batch experiments to building and running production breweries: commissioning a 6,000 hL Hitachino HK facility in a high-rise, and later leading operations at Carbon Brews. Today at Heroes Beer Co I get to merge both worlds—technical brewing and human storytelling—creating beers inspired by real people and Hong Kong culture. Beer matters to me because it’s a universal language: it brings strangers to the same table, it rewards curiosity, and it turns craft into community.
Why do you judge at the World Beer Cup? What does judging at the World Beer Cup mean to you?
World Beer Cup judging is one of the few moments when the global beer community truly speaks the same sensory language. I judge because I learn every session—calibrating with world-class palates, revisiting style intent, and seeing where the most passionate (and brave) brewers are taking our craft next!
What else would you like the world to know?
When I’m off beer duties, I’m still chasing flavor—usually in my kitchen. I make hot sauces and chili oils designed to pair with Cantonese cuisine and beer, because I think beer belongs at the dinner table as much as it belongs at the bar. If you're ever in Hong Kong, come say hi and pick up a jar of Honry Wong’s Smoky Chili Oil!
