E-Malt.com News article: USA, IA: Peace Tree Brewery scrambles to meet high demand

There's a beer being brewed in Knoxville that's so popular it's flying out the door, Kcci.com reported on November, 30.

At Peace Tree Brewery, they're bottling Blond Fatale, one of the most popular beers. They don't even have to store the stuff.

"Everything we're making is going out the door," said owner Megan McKay Ziller.

Owners give credit to brewmaster Joe Kesteloot's double IPA Hop Sutra.

"It's pretty much gone by the time I'm done brewing it," said Kesteloot.

In March of 2009, they started brewing with a glorified home system, producing only 10 gallons per batch. Now, eight fermenters fill the brewing room, producing 1,240 gallons at a time.

"It's really more of a pull for our product than us having to go out and sell it," said McKay Ziller.

But the overwhelming success of the brewery is only part of the story. This family has owned McKay insurance across the street for 65 years. The family bought a building and turned it into a brewery to invest in the town.

"We wanted it to be something that would provide a good spark for downtown Knoxville. Add some liveliness to the community and Main Street," said McKay Ziller.

But what about the company name? The family decided to name the company after a local landmark.

"It's a giant old sycamore. The Indians would meet there because it was such a tall tree, then the whites and the Indians would meet there to trade furs," said McKay Ziller.

Peace Tree also added a tap room, where people meet to drink beer that is in high demand.

The company has been in business for three years, and has quadrupled production in that time.


02 December, 2011