In early July 2023, Vermont was hit with torrential rainfall which led to catastrophic flooding. The flooding caused immense damage to major highways and bridges, as well as many people’s homes, businesses, and farms.

Lending a Hand

Lawson’s Finest was undamaged by the flood and quickly jumped into action to help community members. With a full water tank in the back of one of our delivery trucks, Lawson’s Finest employees distributed clean drinking water to flood victims during a boil notice. Across all departments, our employees volunteered a total of 219 hours and provided 4,098 gallons of drinking water. To continue the aid, we collected food and cleaning supplies in our Taproom and began organizing long-term efforts to raise funds for flood relief.

The team at Lawson’s Finest Liquids stands ready to give out water during the start of the July 2023 flooding.

“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.”

A Collaborative Brewing Effort

Vermont Strong was created as a Good Brews for a Cause, our collaborative, small-batch program that creates limited-release beers to raise funds for special causes. The recipe and packaging were crafted and local breweries were invited to brew the beer to then donate proceeds to the Vermont Community Foundation’s VT Flood Response and Recovery Fund 2023.

Including Lawson’s Finest, fifteen breweries participated in brewing the Vermont Strong beer. The proceeds donated amounted to $46,007.09. Here are the participating breweries:

• 14th Star Brewing
• Black Flannel Brewing
• Burlington Beer Company
• Dirt Church Brewing Co.
• Foam Brewers
• Good Measure Pub & Brewery
• Good Water Brewery
• Harpoon and Long Trail
• Lawson’s Finest Liquids
• Lucy and Howe Brewing
• New England Brewing Company
• Ocelot Brewing Company
• Rock Art Brewery
• Schilling Beer Company
• Tilted Barn Brewery
• Vermont Pub & Brewery
• Zero Gravity Brewery

Sean and Karen Lawson, founders of Lawson’s Finest Liquids, join the VCF team at the Michael Franti fundraiser at Spruce Peak for VT Flood relief.

“When I think of corporate leadership, I think about what it means to be true leaders in the communities where our employees and their families live,” said Dan Smith.  “Lawson’s Finest Liquids demonstrated true community leadership by ensuring that their Vermont neighbors knew they had their backs and by going further and compelling the action of so many others.  We had no idea what an incredible initiative that would become—fifteen breweries from Vermont and beyond raising over $45,000.”

Not Done Yet

One year later, we continue to support flood recovery efforts. Our Social Impact Program (SIP) Manager Carra Cheslin said, “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. 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.”