One year later, Lawson’s Finest Liquids Vermont flood relief effort continues

Right after a galvanizing natural disaster, communities and businesses often do their part to chip in. Then of course the world turns and people move on. One year after devastating floods swept across the state — causing immense damage to major highways and bridges and impacted homes and businesses — the purpose-driven team at Vermont’s Lawson’s Finest Liquids says its collaborative flood relief efforts continue.

“We recognized the needs would be very significant, and reached out to Dan Smith, President & CEO of the Vermont Community Foundation (VCF) to discuss how we might support long-term funding for recovery for the homes and businesses affected,” said founder Sean Lawson. “From these conversations emerged the idea for a collaborative, fundraising beer project.”

Lawson’s Finest was undamaged by the flood, but took immediate action to aid community members, delivering thousands of water bottles to flood victims and holding a food drive in their Waitsfield taproom. The team also began organizing long-term efforts to raise funds for flood relief.

Vermont Strong was organized as part of Good Brews for a Cause, a collaborative, small batch program that creates limited release beers to raise funds for special causes within the Lawson’s Finest distribution area. Including Lawson’s Finest Liquids, fifteen local breweries participated in brewing the Vermont Strong beer and donating part of the proceeds to VCF, amounting to an incredible $46,007.09. Here are the other participating breweries:

• 14th Star Brewing Co.
• Black Flannel Brewing Co.
• Burlington Beer Company
• Dirt Church Brewing Company
• Foam Brewers
• Good Water Brewery
• Good Measure Pub & Brewery
• Harpoon and Long Trail Brewing Company
• Lucy and Howe Brewing Company
• Ocelot Brewing Company
• Schilling Beer Co.
• Tilted Barn Brewery
• Vermont Pub & Brewery
• Zero Gravity Craft Brewery

In addition to the $46,007 given to the Vermont Community Foundation (VCF), Lawson’s Finest Liquids will also donate $5,000 to NOFA-VT’s Farmer Resilience Grant Program through the brewery’s Social Impact Program (SIP). 

“We are honored to continue our support of ongoing flood recovery and resilience efforts through a $5,000 donation to NOFA-VT’s Farmer Resilience Grant Program,” says Social Impact Program (SIP) Manager Carra Cheslin. “This amazing program provides grants to fund resilience projects at organic farms across Vermont with a focus on supporting farms led by BIPOC, LGBTQ and disabled Vermonters. This initiative perfectly aligns with our giving priorities and diversity, equity, and inclusion goals at Lawson’s Finest by strengthening the resiliency of our Vermont food system, landscape and communities into the future.”

Giving back after the flood and supporting future community vibrancy remains important to Lawson’s Finest Liquids, a proud B Corp Certified brewery that adheres to the highest standards of social and environmental impact.

At the heart of their purpose-driven operations is the SIP, which has donated more than $2 million to over 300 nonprofit organizations since the taproom opened in 2018. The SIP encompasses five major initiatives: Sunshine Fund, Good Brews for a Cause, Green is Grand, Sip of Support and Great Place to Work; with the purpose of building impactful connections and strengthening communities while creating memorable experiences.