Iowa’s first 100% woman-owned brewery is seeking a new owner after 15 years of operation under its founder, Megan McKay.
Ms. McKay founded Peace Tree Brewery Co. in 2009 with aspirations of creating a place for the town of Knoxville to congregate and make connections. Since then, it has become a modern trailblazer for the craft beer movement.
“I’ve had the time of my life building a business that has exceeded my expectations,” said McKay, a Knoxville native and University of Iowa graduate. “We’ve created an economic spark in Knoxville, driven tourism, generated employment opportunities, enhanced community bonds, crafted exceptional beverages, and had a blast doing it all.”
Well-crafted
The beer isn’t just good – it’s gold-medal worthy, as evidenced by the award-winning brews Blonde Fatale and Get a Little Hazy, as well as its popular non-alcoholic Root Beer. The brewery’s success opened the door to expansion.
In 2017, Ms. McKay opened a second location in Des Moines’ Historic East Village, and since then Peace Tree has evolved into a full-scale production facility with distribution networks across Iowa and Nebraska.
As the business has grown and evolved, Ms. McKay said her energy and passions have taken a new turn; despite the change of interest, she remains committed to moving the company forward until a new owner steps up.
“Peace Tree is not closing its doors,” Ms. McKay said. “Normal operations will continue uninterrupted, and plans for 2024 are already in motion with some exciting new beers we think customers will love.”
Ms. McKay isn’t willing to sell to just anyone – she wants to make sure her legacy falls into good hands that will propel Peace Tree to new and better things.
“I’m looking for someone who can carry on the legacy and take the company to new heights,” she said. “Different skill sets and energies are required for the startup phase compared to running a mature business. Peace Tree is strong, and I’m excited to see where the next owner will lead the company.”
