The Team
Brian Holton
Owner
Brian started homebrewing circa 2005 and quickly fell in love with the idea of opening his own brewery. In 2011 Brian opened Beer Engine, a tiny pub in Danville, Ky, which led to opening Monnik in Louisville in 2015 and Monnik New Albany in 2021. He now oversees operations at the two Monnik locations. Brian likes reading, punk music and his family.
Ian Luijk
Owner
Ian is a general contractor who started his career in his home country, the Netherlands. After marrying and moving to the States, he and Brian met and schemed a plan to open a neighborhood brewpub together. He led the build out of both Monnik locations and serves as our general contractor, and helps with ongoing business direction and problem-solving. Next to his family, he loves bikes, beer and old buildings.
Candice Luijk
Operations
Candice has over twenty-five years of experience in event planning and international non-profit work. After years in Europe, she settled with her family in Louisville, Kentucky. She loves entertaining, camping in the mountains, and planning their next adventure. She oversees all events and assists with business design and organization.
Courtney McKinney
Marketing & Event Manager
Courtney, originally hailing from Delaware, has over 5 years experience in marketing after almost a decade as a professional photojournalist working all over the East Coast. She handles all of our on-site and off-site events as well as our social media. Outside of drinking good beer, Courtney loves her family, painting at her studio, and really loud music.
Jessica Parker
Chef Germantown
Jessica, a Pennsylvania native, has over 16 years of experience cooking in some of the best kitchens in Louisville. Her passion for using fresh, local ingredients is obvious in her unique take on elevated comfort food. When she’s not in the kitchen, Jessica enjoys visiting other local breweries, hanging out with her partner, and working on her home.
Francie Prestigiacomo Wilder
Prep Cook Manager
Francie has been cooking professionally over fifty years. As a past restaurant owner, she has been happy to call Monnik her home since its beginning. She finds managing the food prep team the perfect job for her. She enjoys eating out and chilling with her animals.
Ben Holiday
Germantown Kitchen Manager
After a prolonged stint in North Carolina, Louisville’s prodigal son has returned to the River City, the place he is happy to call home. Eager to create and hungry to contribute to the local food scene, Benjamin strives to nourish Germantown and it’s surrounding neighborhoods with a focus on community-based, local ingredients and unique plates one would be hard-pressed to find elsewhere in the city. When he’s not working, you could find him at the Gorge, a karaoke bar, or re-enacting scenes from Les Mis with his two dogs.