BierWax - Brewing Innovation with Chris Maestro, CEO & Founder

In the ever-evolving world of craft beer, few have dared to combine it with the art of vinyl in such a unique way as Chris Maestro, the CEO & Founder of BierWax. Known for its eclectic fusion of craft beer and vinyl records, BierWax has made waves in the Brooklyn scene and beyond.

Interview with Chris Maestro CEO & Founder of BierWax

In this exclusive interview, we chat with Chris about his journey, the inspiration behind BierWax, and how he's blending the love of craft beer with the nostalgic charm of vinyl.

Can you share the story behind why you decided to start your company?

I spent nearly two decades in public school education in NYC. At a certain point in my career, as I approached 40 years of age, I had an itch I needed to scratch. As a record collector since my late teens and having a love affair with craft beer, which started in my late twenties, I wanted to create something that married these two passions of mine.

I realized through homebrewing that I ultimately wanted to open up a spot that curated great beer being made by local "experts." I knew it would take me way too long to become a bona fide brewer myself. There were a few other inspirational moments, places that I visited around the world, that planted a seed that would become BierWax. One of these places was in Amsterdam, a bar called Cafe de Duivel, which I visited in 2009. There were DJs spinning actual hip hop vinyl, not Serato, which pretty much wasn't happening much in NYC anymore. Back then, I thought to myself, "Why doesn't something like this exist in NYC, the birthplace of hip hop?"

How do you think your background and identity have influenced the way you run your business in the alcohol industry?

As a black man in an industry (craft beer) that is overwhelmingly white and male-dominated, I often was the sole person of color in many breweries and craft beer bars I visited in the 2000s. I wanted to create a craft beer space that felt more like the diversity that is represented by the New York City I grew up in. That has always been one of the major missions of our bar.

What were your biggest challenges when you got started, and what is your biggest challenge right now?

It's a miracle that we survived COVID, but things are still extremely tight. We are approaching our 7th anniversary, which is a great blessing. However, our profit margins are very thin.

What advice would you give to other aspiring entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds who are interested in entering the alcohol production industry?

Since my background is primarily in craft beer, I'm very aware that there is a huge vacuum in terms of black and brown owned breweries in the United States. I'd love to see more black folks and women of color represented in all aspects of craft beer, from production to ownership and everything in between.

What inspires you to keep going when things get hard?

I've been dreaming the dream for almost a decade and moved mountains to make this dream come true. We sacrificed a lot to make BierWax a reality and to keep it going. Even though it seems like we are moving backwards some months, we love our baby (BierWax) too much to give up. We also see what our bar means for so many people. It has become many people's home away from home, their refuge. When we see people vibing to an amazing DJ or really enjoying a beer style that they've never had, we know that we built something truly special.

Is there anything else you'd like us to know about you or your company?

BierWax was inspired by the vinyl record bars in Japan known as Jazz Kissas. We were one of the first record bars in the United States and was the first bar to feature a large collection of vinyl and host regular DJs in NYC. We host some pretty fantastic DJs on a regular basis. Please follow our Instagram page @bierwax for upcoming events.

We hope you enjoyed learning about Chris Maestro's incredible journey and the story behind BierWax. From his passion for craft beer to his love of vinyl, BierWax continues to innovate and create an unforgettable experience. Be sure to check out BierWax on their website and follow them on social media @bierwax for more updates, events, and beer recommendations.

Cheers to blending the best of craft beer and vinyl culture—where every sip and spin tells a story.

Because Diversity is the taste of life®!

Remember to enjoy responsibly.