The Sunshine-makers at Lawson’s Finest Liquids have been recognized as Brewbound’s 2023 Craft Brewery of the Year. The award was announced today during the craft beer industry trade publication’s annual business conference in Santa Monica, Calif.
“Brewbound is excited to honor Lawson’s Finest Liquids as its 2023 Craft Brewery of the Year,” Brewbound editor Justin Kendall said. Brewbound also named Lawson’s Finest a Rising Star at its 2018 Brewbound Awards. “Beyond making great beer, Lawson’s Finest hit several milestones this year, including receiving B Corporation Certification and reaching 100% solar powered brewing operations.”
Lawson’s Finest’s award win comes during an impactful and innovative year. In 2023, the brewery earned B Corp certification, reached over $2 million donated to nonprofit organizations since 2018 through its multi-pronged Social Impact Program, celebrated the addition of Adeline Druart as CEO, and solidified its commitment to earth-friendly brewing with the completion of its rooftop solar array.
“Lawson’s Finest also had an outsized impact on its community, leading the Vermont Strong efforts that led to around $40,000 going to flood victims,” Kendall continued. “All of these efforts make Lawson’s Finest well-deserving of the Craft Brewery of the Year award.”
“We’re humbled and excited by the recognition. This year we celebrated our 15th anniversary, and while we are reflecting on the incredible journey we had from Sean brewing in his backyard to where we are today, I can’t think of a better way to mark the milestone than with this tremendous honor,” said Druart. “We’re grateful to everyone who makes Lawson’s Finest success possible, from our Waitsfield taproom guests to distributor partners, our communities, craft beer fans, to our very talented and dedicated staff. And we’re thankful to Brewbound for the recognition of our work, our passion for making the finest and freshest beer, our growth over the years and dedication to impact.”
The brewery expanded its core lineup of delicious brews this year, innovating style and packaging to deliver more brewery-fresh beer to craft beer lovers across its nine-state distribution footprint. Lawson’s Finest introduced the delicious Hazy Rays to its core lineup in March, and released its iconic, best-selling flagship brew Sip of Sunshine in 19.2 oz cans this summer. The brewery protects the freshness of its lineup with a singular commitment to cold. The entire Lawson’s Finest lineup of delicious craft beers are always cold stored, cold shipped and cold shelved to keep every beer brewery-fresh. The brewery’s impeccable beer quality earned its status as “2022 Brewery of the Year” by Beer Connoisseur, as well as a gold medal at the Good Food Awards and a silver medal at World Beer Cup.
“It’s not just about making fine beer,” said Sean Lawson, founding brewer of Lawson’s Finest Liquids. “We’re driven by a desire to make fine communities. We’re proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish in the last 15 years, and there’s so much more to look forward to in the future.”
Growing from a 1 bbl home-based brewery to a destination brewery and taproom in Waitsfield, Vt., with distribution across nine states, Lawson’s Finest Liquids is as committed today to being the finest as they were in 2008. The brewery moved into its current brew home, the Waitsfield brewery and taproom in 2018. In the last 5 years, the Lawson’s Finest team has grown from 3 employees to now supporting a team of over 80 and has been recognized as a great place to work and Vermont community impact leader.
Visit Lawson’s Finest Liquids’ brewery, taproom and retail store in Waitsfield, Vermont, or find the iconic Sip of Sunshine in the cooler section at a craft beer retailer near you. Lawson’s Finest is Cold Stored. Cold Shipped. Cold Shelved.™ to keep every beer brewery-fresh.
ABOUT LAWSON’S FINEST LIQUIDS
Lawson’s Finest Liquids crafts and delivers the finest and freshest beer possible to delight fans and to cultivate healthy, vibrant communities through its Social Impact Program. The SIP has raised more than $2 Million for important causes since 2018. The brewery is a values-driven B Corp certified business with a commitment to excellence, authenticity, community, sustainability and fun. Founded by Sean and Karen Lawson, the company boasts a growing collection of award-winning beers brewed with passion and precision including the renowned Sunshine family of IPAs. Beginning as a home-based 1-barrel nanobrewery in 2008, Lawson’s Finest expanded production capacity in 2011 and 2014, growing to include distribution across nine states in the Northeast. In 2018, Lawson’s Finest opened its popular destination Brewery, Taproom and Retail Store in central Vermont’s Mad River Valley town of Waitsfield. For more information on Lawson’s Finest Liquids, visit lawsonsfinest.com or follow the company on Instagram (@lawsonsfinest) and Facebook (@lawsonsfinestliquids).