USA, IA: Kalona Brewing Company ending operations after a 12-year run

A beloved craft brewery is ending its brewing operations after a 12-year run in eastern Iowa, the Iowa City Press-Citizen reported on October 22.

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.

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."

22 October, 2024