Andy Rieger, President and Co-Founder of J. Rieger & Co., has been elected to the Board of Directors of the American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA), the nation's only registered nonprofit trade association representing U.S. craft distilleries. As the sole board member representing Kansas and Missouri, Rieger will help shape national policy priorities for independent distilleries.
Policy Focus at a Critical Time Rieger's appointment arrives amid mounting economic pressures on the craft spirits sector. On June 29, 2026, ACSA backed introduction of the Supporting Producers Through Incentives from Rural Ingredients and Tax Relief (SPIRIT) Act, bipartisan legislation led by Congressional Craft Spirits Caucus Co-Chair Representative Jeff Hurd (R-CO) and co-sponsored by Representative Jill Tokuda (D-HI). The bill would establish a Federal Excise Tax credit for qualifying small distillers using domestically grown agricultural ingredients. "It's an honor to serve on the ACSA Board at a pivotal time for independent distillers," Rieger said. "Across the country, there are quality businesses working to build durable American brands, create jobs, buy from agricultural partners and compete the right way. Too often, the current system makes that harder than it should be, especially for independent producers without the scale or leverage of larger companies. My focus will be on advancing practical, common-sense policies that give great operators a fair chance to succeed."
Background and Company Growth Rieger is the sixth-generation descendant of Jacob Rieger, who founded the original Kansas City distillery in 1887. After a career in private equity and investment banking, Rieger returned to Kansas City in 2014 to revive the family's historic pre-Prohibition whiskey brand alongside acclaimed bartender and hospitality entrepreneur Ryan Maybee. Under Rieger's leadership, J. Rieger & Co. restored a landmark 1901 building in Kansas City's Electric Park district into a destination distillery and expanded distribution across the United States and into international markets. The company's portfolio includes Rieger Kansas City Whiskey, Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Straight Rye, Monogram Solera Reserve, Midwestern Dry Gin, and Caffè Amaro. Recent accolades include recognition as a Robb Report Best Whiskey of 2025 and Best American Whiskey at the ASCOT Awards.
Why It Matters
Rieger's board appointment signals growing industry mobilization around federal tax policy and ingredient sourcing incentives—issues that directly affect craft distillery margins and competitiveness against larger spirits conglomerates. The SPIRIT Act, if passed, could reshape economics for small-batch producers reliant on domestic agricultural supply chains.
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Written by FBM Publications Editors
