Lawson’s Finest Liquids — the B Corp Certified brewery on a mission to craft and deliver the finest, freshest beer possible while cultivating healthy, vibrant communities — recently released its 2024 Impact Report.
The second annual report provides a comprehensive look at the company’s ongoing contributions and progress in the areas of community, employees, and the environment. Lawson’s Finest’s Impact Report offers accountability and a transparent look into the brewery’s five major initiatives, known collectively as the Social Impact Program or the SIP, a nod to the brewery’s flagship Sip of Sunshine IPA which is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2025.
“Giving in support of our communities and preserving the environment through sustainable business practices is at the heart of what we do,” said Social Impact Manager Carra Cheslin. “Through our annual Impact Report, we’re happy to share with our fans how we stay anchored in the purpose-driven values that define our brewery and our beer.”
Social impact program
As of 2024, the SIP has donated more than $2.5 million to 399 nonprofit organizations, driven by the company’s four giving priorities: healthy communities, food and economic security, natural resource protection, and sustainable recreation. The SIP encompasses five major initiatives: Good Brews for a Cause, Great Place to Work, Sunshine Fund, Green is Grand and Sip of Support; with the purpose of building impactful connections, strengthening communities and stewarding the environment.
Great place to work
Two new staff development and well-being initiatives were brought to life throughout the year: a formalized volunteer program that began mid-year. a fully paid, month-long sabbatical program (introduced at the end of 2023 and known as the “SIPbatical”). Eighteen employees were eligible for the SIPbatical in 2024, which is intended to combat factors contributing to burnout and present an opportunity for once-in-a-lifetime adventure. The employee retention rate at Lawson’s Finest Liquids rose from 72% in 2023 to 89% in 2024.
Sunshine Fund
In lieu of tipping, Lawson’s Finest Liquids Taproom guests enjoy Lawson’s Finest Liquids brews and make donations to the taproom’s featured “on tap” nonprofit organization, which rotates every two weeks and is selected by a committee of Lawson’s Finest Liquids employees. Taproom team members receive living wages and generous benefits, so tips are not required to supplement their income. Through the Sunshine Fund, the brewery presented $289,029 to 25 nonprofits in 2024.
“The ongoing generosity of guest donations to the Sunshine Fund continues to outshine our expectations. As a result, we’re collectively promoting thriving communities by contributing to Vermont nonprofit organizations,” said Lawson’s Finest Liquids’ CEO Adeline Druart.
Sip of Support
The brewery’s Sip of Support program provides Vermont-based nonprofit organizations with donations including gift cards and gift bags of Lawson’s Finest swag for fundraising raffles and auctions, one-time discretionary donations, and nonprofit event sponsorships. In 2024, $128,610 was given to 142 nonprofit organizations including Outright Vermont, NOFA VT’s Farmer Resilience Grant Program, North Carolina Disaster Response, Waterbury Skatepark Coalition, and many others.
Green is grand
As part of ongoing efforts to leave the planet a better place through sustainable business practices, Lawson’s Finest Liquids reduced resource usage across all categories in 2024. The Waitsfield, Vt.-based brewery also reached 97.2% waste diversion in 2024, increased from 87% diversion in 2023, by identifying opportunities to redirect waste items locally. Lawson’s Finest diverts food waste and spent grain to Gaylord Farm to be used as animal feed, diverts high strength waste from the brewing process to an anaerobic digestion facility, and locally composts all paper towels and napkins used across the Waitsfield brewery campus.
Good Brews for a Cause
Every year, the brewery leads a collaborative, small batch program that creates limited release beers to raise funds for special causes within the Lawson’s Finest distribution area. In 2024, the program donated $26,309.43 to 11 nonprofits. 2024’s Good Brews included Path of Totality an IPA with eclipse hops benefitting the ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain; Do Good Brew, a hazy IPA benefitting Central Vermont Medical Center’s Branches of Hope Cancer Patient Fund; and Deaf Glow IPA benefitting the Vermont Association of the Deaf and their support of the Yolande Henry Community Fund, among others.
Read the full Impact Report here for detailed information about the brewery’s core values and how they shape all aspects of the business, or visit lawsonsfinest.com for more info.
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