Peace Tree Brewery shuts down its Des Moines taproom earlier than expected
Peace Tree Brewing unexpectedly moves up the closing of its Des Moines taproom after seven-and-a-half years in the Market District. The brewery announced plans to shut down its beer production, and now moved up the closing on the taproom in Des Moines.
“While we had hoped to keep our DSM taproom open through the summer, we are sad to announce that tomorrow, Saturday, June 22nd will be our last day of business here in Des Moines,” an announcement on the Peace Tree Brewing Facebook page stated.
“We know this is sudden — it is for us too. We were looking forward to having time to celebrate and reminisce with you about all the memories, friendships and connections made here over the last 7.5 years. We have loved every second of it.”
Owner Megan McKay announced plans to end the 15-year run of Peace Tree brewing operations in central Iowa earlier this week.
More: Iowa's first 100% woman-owned brewery stops production but its two taprooms stay open
Peace Tree’s beers won impressive awards
The taproom in Knoxville will remain open for Blonde Fatale, the Belgian-style blonde ale that won the Des Moines Register’s Beer Brackets in 2023, with fans voting it the best beer in Iowa.
Blonde Fatale also earned gold at the World Beer Cup in 2014 in the Belgian-Style Blonde Ale or Pale Ale category while the brewery’s Get a Little Hazy won gold in the Juicy or Hazy Strong Pale Ale category at the Great American Beer Festival in 2021.
McKay opened the brewery in Knoxville in September 2009 across the street from the insurance agency her family owns.
When it opened, Peace Tree became Iowa's first 100% woman-owned brewery. By 2017, Peace Tree opened a taproom in a Quonset hut in the new Market District south of the East Village in Des Moines.
Peace Tree on the market
Last September, McKay announced plans to sell the brewery, but at the time estimated it would take two years to complete a sale.
She did not indicate that the brewery sold when she announced that production would stop.
More: Your guide to 21 Des Moines metro breweries, taprooms and their craft beers
Where to find Peace Tree Brewery taprooms
Knoxville Taproom
Location: 107 W. Main St., Knoxville
Contact: 641-842-2739
Des Moines Taproom (open through June 22)
Location: 317 E. Court Ave., Des Moines
Contact: 515-883-2739
Website: peacetreebrewing.com
Susan Stapleton is the entertainment editor and dining reporter at The Des Moines Register. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, or drop her a line at sstapleton@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Peace Tree Brewery closes its Des Moines taproom
