A beloved craft brewery is ending its brewing operations after a 12-year run in eastern Iowa.
Ted and Becky Nagy, the owners of Kalona Brewing Company based in Kalona, announced the closing in a detailed Facebook post on Oct. 17.
"It is with great sadness that we announce the closure of our business, the Kalona Brewery, as of Nov. 1, 2024," they announced on Facebook.
Kalona Brewing's last day of operation will be on Halloween, Thursday, Oct. 31.
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Bringing craft beer to rural eastern Iowa
Kalona Brewing Company opened in downtown Kalona in 2012.
The brewery pours craft beer made in-house and serves menu items from its largely made-from-scratch kitchen, which features wood-fired pizzas, burgers, and sandwiches. The company often sources its food from local farms, primarily in Kalona, like Kalona Creamery and Kalona Organic Greens.
The brewery cited the COVID-19 lockdown and the ensuing pandemic as a reason for shuttering. The owners did hint at possibly partnering with other entities in the future.
"We are grateful for the support from the community and our wonderful staff over the years. Unfortunately, we have been unable to recover financially from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic," the post read. "We are currently exploring other business opportunities, including the possibility of KBC reopening with new partners, and remain hopeful to find a better fit in the future."
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A going-out-of-business sale in Kalona
Kalona Brewing Company also announced that most merchandise, including kegs, will be on sale through the rest of the month for a massive discount. Half barrels will cost $120, and one-sixth barrels will cost $75.
Available kegs include Lewbricator, which won bronze at the Best of Craft Beer Awards in 2019 in the German-Style Doppelbock category.
The local business thanked its loyal customer base for their support over the past 12 years.
"Whether you've joined us for a pint, celebrated a special occasion, or just stopped by to enjoy our space, you have been a part of what made Kalona Brewery so special," the brewery said on social media. "In the coming weeks, we invite you to visit us for one last round, share memories, and celebrate the community we've built together. We will continue to offer our beers until we close, and we'd love to see as many of you as possible before we say goodbye."
Jessica Rish is an entertainment, dining and education reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. She can be reached at[email protected] or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @rishjessica_