Lawson’s Finest Liquids, the award-winning B Corp-certified Vermont craft brewery, grew its product lineup, expanded its executive leadership team and was recognized as an industry leader in sustainability and social responsibility this year.
Led by a strong rate of sale of the brewery’s flagship brand Sip of Sunshine IPA and the newly released brew Hazy Rays IPA, Lawson’s Finest has seen month-over-month sales growth so far in 2023. Since March, when Lawson’s Finest added Hazy Rays (5.3% ABV) to its year-round Sunshine family, the tropical, fruit-forward hazyjuicylicious IPA has sold more than double over projected. The addition of 19.2 oz cans of the award-winning, lupulin-laden Sip of Sunshine (8% ABV) in April has deepened distribution to convenience stores, grocers, and entertainment venues throughout the brewery’s nine-state footprint across the Northeast.
“To support our ability to bring more Sunshine to beer lovers in the Northeast, we’ve deepened our distribution with the introduction of more chain stores and have hired a new regional chain manager,” said Sean Lawson, founding brewer of Lawson’s Finest Liquids. “We’re also seeing growth in draft accounts, and our presence on-premise is up over this time last year. We’re growing by strengthening our footprint in current markets and continuing a focus on maintaining the finest quality of every brew.”
The Beer Guy, the Lawson’s Finest Liquids distribution arm in Vermont, also diversified its portfolio this April with the addition of Barr Hill Gin’s canned Gin & Tonic as the first non-beer, non-Lawson’s Finest product.
Investments in brand diversity and distribution were supported this year with key hiring decisions, including the addition of Adeline Druart (pictured below), former president of Vermont Creamery, who will join the brewery’s executive leadership as chief executive officer. Sean and Karen Lawson, who founded Lawson’s Finest Liquids in 2008, will maintain executive leadership positions and stewardship of the brand. Druart, who comes to Lawson’s Finest with experience leading the successful transition of Vermont Creamery from founder-owned to Fortune 250 US company Land O’Lakes in 2017, is a purpose-led leader who has achieved B Corp Certification and recognition by Inc. Magazine as one of the Most Purposeful Brands of 2021.
“With the addition of Adeline and the investments in product, people, and purpose, we’re continuing our commitment this year to the long-term vision we set out with in 2008 — to make the finest beers possible, to keep it fresh and authentic, to focus on community, and ultimately, to take good care and be a force for good in the world,” said Sean Lawson.
Lawson’s Finest, which earned its B Corp Certification in May 2023, has donated over $2 million to worthwhile causes and community-building efforts since 2018 as a part of its Social Impact Program, and plans to donate more than $500,000 this year to nonprofit organizations that protect the environment and the people of Vermont. In Summer 2023, the brewery will generate 100% of the electricity used annually through solar power, provided by a combination of rooftop arrays and the largest parking lot canopy in Vermont.
Experience the unique Lawson’s Finest community culture at their destination brewery, taproom and retail store in Waitsfield, Vt., to try an award-winning beer or find Lawson’s Finest in the cooler section of your favorite retail store throughout the Northeast.
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