J. Rieger & Co. has announced several key additions to their hospitality management team, as well as details about their new spirits destination experience. The distillery space will expand to 60,000 square-feet in Kansas City’s historic Electric Park neighborhood, allowing the team to complement their increased production capacity with one of the country’s most innovative cocktail and craft spirits experiences. The public opening is scheduled for mid-June 2019 and will include multiple bars, tours, a gift shop, classes and private event spaces.

“As we prepare to open our doors this summer, we are entering a new chapter of the J. Rieger & Co. legacy in Kansas City,” says Ryan Maybee, Co-Founder and VP of Sales & Hospitality. “When we first launched in 2014, our focus was on resurrecting the brand, which meant creating the highest quality whiskey, gin and other spirits inspired by our vibrant history. We are extraordinarily proud of the national growth and recognition that we have accomplished and will apply that same high standard to shaping the future of our new home here in Electric Park. With this expansion we can add a visitors’ experience to our story while investing in our city and community.  We are counting on the incredible talent of our hospitality team to host thousands of guests in their discovery of our spirits and cocktail culture.”

Meet the New Hospitality, Events and Beverage Team

The J. Rieger & Co. hospitality team has an impressive track record in corporate management and service excellence, distinguished by many industry awards. Under the direction of Maybee and President/Co-Founder Andy Rieger, they will manage all aspects of the J. Rieger & Co. distillery experience from creative cocktail development to operations, events management and group tours. The newest additions to the team are:

  • Joe Hines, General Manager – Retail Operations, a star performer who served most recently as the head of beverage and hospitality operations for Union Station in Denver;
  • Andrew Olsen, Beverage Director, the only bartender selected for Zagat’s 30 Under 30 list in 2017, and the former bar manager at James Beard award nominees, Bluestem and Rye, in Kansas City;
  • Andi Ryan, Hospitality Director, a 16-year industry professional and Kansas City native who honed her craft at The Rieger before moving to Chicago to work in service at Michelin-star recipient, Boka, and in management for The Robey Hotel;
  • Amber Benton, Event Sales Manager, a local talent who has staged some of Kansas City’s most high-profile conferences, galas, corporate meetings, and personal celebrations.

From left to right: Joe Hines, General Manager – Retail Operations; Amber Benton, Event Sales Manager; Pepper, Distillery Dog; Andi Ryan, Hospitality Director; and Andrew Olsen, Beverage Director