A new business, Hundred Mile Brewing Company, is preparing to open in Tempe by founder and ASU alumna Sue Rigler.
The brewery, which is under construction, sits just north of Tempe Town Lake on Scottsdale Road. Rigler hopes to bring in a large community of customers to enjoy a full menu, public and private events and tours of the brewery.
Rigler graduated from ASU in 1988 with a degree in microbiology. So, how did she end up running a brewery?
She said she found her calling in Whitefish, Montana, after seeing a lab inside a bar that featured the behind-the-scenes aspects of brewing.
"Beer and science are very much connected,” Rigler said.
So in order to bring her passion for craft beer and science together, she wanted to join the industry. And in 2016, she completed the brewing certification program at the University of California, San Diego.
In 2018 Rigler met Hundred Mile head brewer and ASU alumna Valerie Adee. Adee, who dual majored in history and French, found purpose in the restaurant and bar industry, where she discovered her passion for crafting cocktails and her love for beer.
"Success comes in many ways and sometimes it takes time," Adee said.
Adee and Rigler said with their love of beer, they discovered ways to turn their dreams into reality through Hundred Mile Brewing.
“Sometimes the most random paths are the best," Rigler said.
While Rigler was a student worker at ASU, she grew close with Helen Rubio, a retired executive assistant in the Department of Economics at W. P. Carey School of Business. Rubio worked at ASU for 30 years and still has a great connection with Rigler.
“I always knew she would be good at whatever she did," Rubio said. "She just had that get up and go energy and to do things right the first time. She was an angel to work with."
Rigler said Hundred Mile Brewing Company will provide a new Tempe business for Sun Devils to enjoy drinks, games, and community.
Rigler and Adee hope to open in mid-October, featuring seasonal brews and treats for Halloween. They hope that it will bring students some closure after local restaurant and bar, Vine Tavern and Eatery, shut down in July.
“Construction is not my forte, (I'm) ready to be brewing again,” Rigler said.
Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated the relationship between Rigler and Adee and misspelled Adee's name in the photo caption. The story was updated on Sept. 9 at 1:40 p.m. to correct the errors. This story was updated again on Sept. 10 at 10:45 a.m. to correct the headline and abstract, which incorrectly stated the brewery was founded by multiple ASU alumni.
Edited by Jasmine Kabiri, Logan Stanley, Luke Chatham and Piper Hansen.
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Kylie Saba is a reporter for the Community and Culture desk at the State Press. She embraces ASU life and is ready to report life as it happens.
