Hundred Mile Brewing Co. has quickly become a Tempe favorite, known for craft beer, connection, and community that owner Sue Rigler has built into every detail. For Sue, creating a brewery was never about opening another spot to grab a drink; it was about building a feeling.
“I’ve always believed that people naturally crave connection, and genuine hospitality feels harder to find these days,” she says. “I didn’t want to create just another brewery—I wanted a true ‘third space,’ a place where people feel comfortable, welcomed, and eager to return.” Tempe’s spirit of togetherness made it the perfect home for that vision. It matched her desire to create something warm, rooted, lasting.
That commitment to community fuels Hundred Mile’s “love local” philosophy, a value woven through everything from its partnerships to the beer itself. As a 100% woman-owned business with strong ties to Tempe as an ASU alum, Sue brings a blend of small-town warmth and city energy to her work. “Even though I’m originally from Iowa, I bring that ‘Iowa-nice,’ small-town mentality right into a big city,” she says. “We learn your name, we listen to your story, and we want Hundred Mile to feel like a place you can bring your whole family—kids, parents, and grandparents alike.”
The menu is infused with Tempe personality, featuring beers named after local landmarks such as Tempe Snap, Cell Phone Lot, and A Mountain. Even the beloved “Mayor Woods potato chips” pay tribute to Mayor Corey Woods, who loves them. For Sue, “love local” isn’t just a slogan; it means showing up for people in real, meaningful ways and cultivating a space where everyone feels they belong.
That heart-forward approach helped earn her recognition as Business Woman of the Year, an honor she describes as both humbling and motivating. “It reminded me that leadership is about being an example—pursuing your dreams and pushing forward even when things feel overwhelming,” she says. The growth that followed shaped her even more. Winning challenged her to rise to a higher standard, confront fears, and embrace the responsibility of building something meaningful for her community. “Leadership is an ongoing evolution,” Sue says. “That experience inspired me to lead, serve, and uplift others with greater intention.”
The journey has also included challenges. When Hundred Mile opened in December 2022, the weight of what she had built—especially with no prior brewery experience—brought fear and overwhelm she had never felt before. The demanding schedule and steep learning curve took a toll on her mental health. “I had to reach out for real support to find my grounding again,” she explains. Working with a therapist and leadership coach Bethany Graver of Alimental Business, Sue built a strong management team aligned with her core values. “They buy into my values and amplify my vision,” she says. “That was transformative.” Through this process, she learned to turn fear into faith and now leads with greater clarity, confidence, and peace.
Hundred Mile Brewing Co. is focused on deepening its community impact. A new off-site lunch catering program will bring their food and craft beer directly to workplaces and venues around Tempe. Their Soulful Sunday program, led by Shannon Winters of Changing Lives Counseling, will continue to expand its reach. Sue hopes to grow partnerships that activate Tempe Town Lake, creating memorable experiences around one of the city’s signature spaces.
For Sue and Hundred Mile Brewing Co., the future remains rooted in community, purpose, and possibility.