Our Brew Crew
Matt
Matt Riggs has a Bachelor’s Degree in Technical Systems Management from the University of Illinois. He worked at the 365-year-old Brauhaus Faust in Miltenberg, Germany before completing his German brewmaster certification at Doemens Akademie in Muich, Germany. He’s in charge of beer production, sales, and distribution.
Darin
Darin Riggs has a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science from the University of Illinois and is a gradaduate of UC Davis’ Master Brewer Program. He worked in an Anheuser-Busch brewery in Northern California before moving back to the family farm in Illinois. His focus is on process automation, maintenance, packaging, and farming.
Lance
Lance joined Riggs in 2021. Lance was trained as a journeyman meat cutter, so he came with plenty of experience in food safety. For years he has trained his palate in the Riggs Taproom and joined the production team wanting to learn and experience the other side of the glass wall.
Ken
Ken joined Riggs in July 2022, shifting from labwork to lagers. He has a PhD in Microbiology from the U of I, where he was a post-doctoral researcher for five years. Ken started homebrewing beer in graduate school and was excited to learn a new set of skills at Riggs. At home, he enjoys tabletop and video games, travel, and cooking. His favorite non-microbes are his wife and their three cats.
Ethan
Ethan joined Riggs in May 2024. He grew up in central Illinois and graduated from Illinois State University with a degree in accounting and a minor in music. After working as a CPA for a few years, he realized it wasn’t the right career for him and decided to follow his passion for beer. When he’s not in the brewery or behind the bar, he enjoys cooking, camping and hiking with his wife, and listening to music with his dog and two cats.
Andrew
Andrew joined the Riggs team in late 2024. Growing up in Houston, TX, he discovered his true passion (craft beer) in 2014. After 10 years spent kegging away at Saint Arnold Brewing Company, his wife convinced him that there were greener prairies in central Illinois. At home he enjoys goofing around with his two kids and their small herd of pets, practicing cornhole, and trying to build tolerance to the cold weather.
Our Taproom Team
Caroline
Caroline Riggs grew up in Hardheim, Germany. Her brother came to Champaign County as an exchange student and eventually introduced her to her husband Matt. She went to business school in Germany and is putting her education to use managing the taproom and office. She is in charge of human resources and keeps the books in order.
Whitney
Whitney grew up on a grain farm in Illinois and graduated from U of I, but lived in Texas until 2021, when she traded in her boots to return to her Illinois roots. She joined the Riggs team in February 2023 and works wherever needed, from serving in the Tap Room to mowing the Beer Garden. She loves dogs, things that sparkle, and every song by Motley Crue.
Abigail
Abigail joined the Riggs team in 2020. Just as she started, the world stopped. She navigated curbside, helped out on the canning line, and other odd jobs that she hadn’t signed up for. Since reopening she’s back to work in the taproom. If she’s not behind the bar she’s behind the scenes scheduling food trucks and live music, restocking supplies, or petting a cat.
Taproom Staff
Aaron, Sara, Dee, Abigail with Millie, Emily, Ethan, Elizabeth, Casey, Michael, Mike, Caroline, Matt
Whitney, Jessica, Kenya
We’re always looking for talented people to join our team. If you are interested in working in the brewery or taproom, send a resume to: info@riggsbeer.com
The Felines
Dunkles
Dunkles is our original brewery cat. This old, polite gentleman likes to go for long walks throughout SE Urbana. If you catch him in the right mood, he’s a cuddle machine.
Nugget
Millie
Millie-girl is our princess. You’ll find her sitting on one of the heating blankets in her house, or stealing food from the boys. But they are ok with it, ’cause she’s so cute!