The Riggs Brothers’ Journey to Brewing Excellence

For many craft beer enthusiasts, the dream of opening a brewery seems idyllic – crafting unique flavors, sharing your passion with others, being your own boss. But the reality is far more complex. Without proper training and experience, many aspiring brewers find themselves overwhelmed by the technical challenges, struggling with consistency, and facing the harsh realities of a competitive market. Home brewing skills alone often aren’t enough to create a sustainable brewing business.

At Riggs Beer Company, our brewing expertise comes from years of dedicated study and hands-on experience in both American and German brewing traditions. Matt Riggs learned his craft at the Doemens Academy in Munich after working at a 350-year-old Bavarian brewery, while his brother Darin earned his credentials at UC Davis’s renowned Master Brewers Program before working at Anheuser-Busch. This combination of traditional European training and large-scale American production experience gives us a unique perspective on brewing excellence.

In this article, we’ll share our journey from military service to brewing mastery, offering insights into:

• How to properly prepare for a career in professional brewing
• Why formal education and hands-on experience both matter
• The importance of understanding both traditional and modern brewing methods
• What it really takes to transition from brewing knowledge to business success

The Riggs Brothers’ Journey to Brewing Excellence: The Path to Brewing Excellence

When we decided to start a brewery, we knew that passion alone wouldn’t be enough. We needed serious credentials and real-world experience. Both of us took deliberate paths to gain the knowledge and skills necessary for success.

German Brewing Tradition

Matt’s journey took him to the heart of brewing tradition in Bavaria, where he started at the ground level at Brauhaus Faust, a family-owned brewery that’s been making beer since 1654. “I didn’t speak the language, I didn’t have any commercial experience,” Matt recalls. “But if you can get me an entry-level position, get me connected with a brewery over there, I’m sure that I can convince them to keep me on.”

The German Education System

The German approach to brewing education proved transformative. At Doemens Academy, one of Germany’s prestigious brewmaster schools, the experience was unique: “It is absolutely as cool as it sounds,” Matt notes. “If you wanted to bring a beer into a math lecture, that wasn’t against the rules.”

But what really set the German system apart was its practical focus. The German trade school pipeline emphasizes:

• Direct application of skills
• Interactive learning from experienced professionals
• Practical knowledge over theory
• Comprehensive technical understanding

Bridging Two Worlds

While Matt was immersing himself in German brewing tradition, his brother Darin was gaining valuable experience at Anheuser-Busch after completing UC Davis’s Master Brewers Program. This combination of European craft tradition and American production expertise would prove invaluable when launching their own brewery.

The Entrepreneurial Leap

The transition from brewing expertise to business ownership brought its own challenges. “We went full time into this,” Matt explains. “We invested every penny we had into it, and we said we’re going to work this as hard as we can, and it’s either going to work or it’s not going to work.”

Our approach to growth was measured and strategic:

• Started small with just the owners and three part-time bartenders
• Built systems and processes before expanding
• Divided responsibilities among the ownership team
• Grew production gradually to match demand

Modern Meets Traditional

One of the keys to Riggs’ success has been knowing which traditions to keep and which to modify. “Being a modern American brewer, it’s a bit liberating,” Matt explains. “You can make those decisions.” 

We’ve found ways to:

• Maintain traditional quality while improving efficiency
• Use modern equipment without compromising authenticity
• Balance old-world techniques with new-world practicality
• Create consistent, high-quality products at scale

Advice for Aspiring Brewers

For those looking to enter the brewing industry, Matt offers this guidance:

• Start with entry-level positions to learn the basics
• Read extensively and stay educated about the craft
• Consider home brewing to gain practical experience
• Pursue formal education only after gaining hands-on experience
• Be prepared for a lot of cleaning – “pretty much almost only cleaning”

Looking Forward

Today, Riggs Beer Company stands as a testament to the power of combining thorough preparation with entrepreneurial spirit. Their success wasn’t just about making great beer – it was about building a sustainable business through careful planning, proper training, and strategic decision-making.

“If Darin and I had tried to start this brewery right out of the military,” Matt reflects, “we would have made a lot of mistakes that at this point in time, I’m not sure that we’d still be around as a brewery.” Instead, their methodical approach to learning their craft and building their business has created a brewery that was “profitable, scalable… efficient from a labor standpoint… efficient from a resource use standpoint” right from the start.

For those dreaming of opening their own brewery, the Riggs brothers’ journey shows that success comes not just from passion for beer, but from a commitment to mastering both the craft and the business of brewing.