Experience Authentic German Beer Culture at Riggs Beer Company

In today’s world of endless screens and isolated booths, meaningful connections can feel impossible to find. Maybe you’ve noticed it too – sitting in a sports bar surrounded by blaring TVs, or perched on a barstool next to gambling machines, feeling oddly alone in a crowded room. Even at craft breweries, the experience often feels rushed and impersonal. 

Whatever happened to simply enjoying good beer and good company?

Here at Riggs Brewery, founded on 150 years of German family tradition, we understand what makes beer culture truly special. Our story began in 1874 when our ancestors Frederick and Wilhelmina Moore established their German farmstead in Champaign County – a heritage that continues today through our co-owner, Caroline, who was born and raised in Germany, and Matt Riggs, who mastered his craft in German breweries and brewing schools. We don’t just make German-style beer; we live and breathe German beer culture, from our direct partnerships with German family hop farms to our traditional four-vessel brewing system.

In this article, you’ll learn how to experience authentic German beer culture right here in Illinois. We’ll show you:

• How to enjoy our traditional beer garden like a German local
• Why bringing your whole family (yes, even the kids!) creates the best experience
• The perfect times to visit for special seasonal celebrations
• Which traditional German beer styles pair best with different occasions
• How to participate in community events that bring people together

A True German Beer Garden Experience – German Beer Culture

When we opened our doors eight years ago, many questioned our unconventional approach. No TVs? No gambling machines? A playground at a brewery? But we knew something others didn’t – the time-tested appeal of traditional German beer garden culture.

Our taproom features large communal tables instead of isolated booths, encouraging natural conversations and new friendships. There’s no hostess directing you to a specific spot; instead, you’re free to find your own place and perhaps meet someone new. This might seem like a small detail, but it’s fundamental to the German beer garden experience we’ve recreated.

In the tradition of authentic German beer gardens, we’ve intentionally chosen not to include a kitchen. Instead, we encourage guests to bring their own picnics or snacks, just as they would at a traditional German biergarten. This creates a relaxed, community-oriented atmosphere where families can gather and make themselves at home.

Family-Friendly by Design

One of our most distinctive features – and initially one of the most surprising to our American guests – is our playground in the beer garden. As Caroline explains, “When we first opened eight years ago, people were a little confused about having a playground at a bar, but parents love coming out, grabbing a beer, having their kids play on the playground, getting together with other families.”

Seasonal Celebrations

Perhaps nowhere is our commitment to German Beer Culture tradition more evident than in our seasonal celebrations. Our German-style Christmas market has become a beloved community tradition, though it required some cultural education at first. “The first year, people were confused. They didn’t bring coats,” Caroline recalls with a laugh. “But by about week two, they were like, ‘Yeah, I get this. I love drinking a beer or a hot spiced wine outside when the snow has fallen, it makes it even more magical.'”

We set up traditional market huts throughout our beer garden, featuring local vendors selling handcrafted gifts. As Matt points out, “It turns out that if you dress appropriately, you can actually be outside in the winter, it’s going to be fun. These are all things that people thought we were crazy about when we said, ‘Hey, we think this will work,’ but turned out to be true.”

Authentic Beer Styles – German Beer Culture

Our commitment to German tradition extends deeply into our brewing process. Our flagship Hefeweizen (which means “yeast wheat” in German) exemplifies our approach. As Matt explains, “We don’t put a spin on it. That’s kind of our trick… It ain’t broke, I’m not gonna fix it.” We focus on executing these traditional styles with precision and serving them fresh, often in ways that surpass imported versions that lose quality during shipping.

We produce a full range of traditional German styles, each with its own story:

• Doppelbock (meaning “double bock”) for strong winter warming
• Helles (meaning “bright” or “pale”) for a classic Munich-style lager
• Schwarzbier (literally “black beer”) for a crisp, dark lager experience
• Maibock for traditional spring celebration

Looking Forward While Honoring Tradition

“We don’t give marketing names to our beers,” Caroline notes proudly. “We just call the beer what it is, the name that’s been around for hundreds of years, so people know what to expect. We serve it in the glass that it’s supposed to go in. That’s some of the traditional values we bring from Germany.”

As Matt summarizes our philosophy: “Respect the tradition because it’s worth it. It’s got a great reputation around the world for good reason. Don’t try to take too many adaptations or make too many adaptations on it. Respect it. Execute it precisely, serve it fresh. And people are probably going to drink a lot of it.”

We invite you to experience this authentic slice of German culture right here in Illinois. Bring your family, bring your friends, and discover how something as simple as a well-crafted beer in the right environment can create moments of genuine connection and community.