October Beer News
BEER DELIVERIES
Hopcelot IPA will be available starting October 12th (bottles and draft). Inspired by a dreamy combination of music, hops and beer. Celebrate with us as we revel in the glory of eight varieties of hops from around the world, brewed to create intricate layers of flavor and to delight your senses! Bottles will be available 10/12 at Warren Store and Hunger Mountain Co-op, 10/13 at Beverage Warehouse, and 10/17 at Craft Beer Cellar Waterbury.
Beginning 10/26, fan favorite Fayston Maple Imperial Stout will be available in bottles and draft. This seasonal specialty is brewed with organic pale malt and almost two gallons of VT maple syrup per barrel. This brew is a huge, rich, and strong stout with a maple twist and is deceivingly drinkable. Designed to keep you warm on cool nights and for sipping with a fine meal or dessert. Bottles will be available 10/26 at Warren Store and Hunger Mountain Co-op, 10/27 at Beverage Warehouse, and 10/31 at Craft Beer Cellar Waterbury.
During this month, you’ll find fresh batches of Sip of Sunshine IPA and Super Session #8 (cans and draft) around the states of Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York City. In early October, there is also a fresh delivery in the Portland Maine area.
We get asked regularly, “What’s the story with the Super Session numbers?” When we recently switched from #2 to #8, folks asked “what happened to #3, 4, 5, 6, 7?” Our Super Session beer is a series of single-hop Session IPA’s that began in 2014 on our 7bbl brewery in Warren, VT. Super Session #1 was brewed with Citra hops and Sean quickly followed with other numbers, each featuring a single hop, including Amarillo, Cascade, Sorachi Ace, Galaxy, and more! The beer features the same malt base and specialty malts, as well as alcohol level, in each incarnation of Super Session. The versions brewed with Amarillo (#2) and Mosaic (#8) were our in-house favorites, as well as being stand-outs with our fans of our small batch Warren brewed beers, so these are the first two in our series. As we progress, we hope to launch two new versions of Super Session in 2018 that will rotate on a periodic basis. Let’s give you a sneak peak and say that there might be a Session in your future that features Idaho 7 hops…can you guess what number?
SPECIAL EVENTS
Lawson’s Finest is honored to co-host (along with Melvin Brewing and Falling Rock Tap House) the All-Star IPA Throwdown on October 4th in Denver Colorado. All the beers you’ve always wanted under one roof with some of your favorite people. We’re showcasing cutting edge breweries from East Coast and West Coast and their best IPAs, some of which were brewed exclusively for this epic throwdown. Last year’s East vs West event sold out and was the largest event Falling Rock has ever seen – and the Lawson’s Finest keg was the first to kick!
Construction Update: We are well underway with construction of the front building, having demolished the old structure (see below photo) and pouring a new building foundation at 155 Carroll Road for Lawson’s Finest new taproom and retail store. Under a plan approved by the State of Vermont, more than 85% of the building materials will be recycled or repurposed for other uses. The brewery will be located in the existing rear warehouse building. We are pleased to be working with GEA on the brewery design and equipment, and Sprinkman on the fermenters and brite tanks. We expect to open our new location in autumn of 2018. Even after opening our Waitsfield brewery, we will continue to produce Sip of Sunshine IPA and Super Session at Two Roads Brewing for distribution to the Northeast.
September Beer News
BEER DELIVERIES
As a special thank you to our loyal fans, we are releasing a limited amount of our award winning Maple Tripple! Enticing, rich and complex, this creation defies easy description. Our ‘once-a-year beer’ is brewed only during sugaring season with 100% maple sap from our local friends in VT. No water added! Just barley, hops, and ale yeast. Bottles will be available 8/31 at Warren Store and Hunger Mountain Co-op, 9/1 at Beverage Warehouse, and 9/5 at Craft Beer Cellar Waterbury, Mehuron’s Supermarket and Village Grocery.
Mosaic IPA will be available starting September 21 (bottles and draft). Brewed with Mosaic hops including lupulin powder and lupulin pellets, this single-hop American IPA features juicy flavors of mango and grapefruit combined with herbal and earthy pine character. Bottles will be available 9/21 at Warren Store and Hunger Mountain Co-op, 9/22 at Beverage Warehouse, and 9/26 at Craft Beer Cellar Waterbury.
Beginning 9/28, Carrier Mild will be available in bottles and draft. Inspired by a pub style English Dark Mild, this evolving creation is based in partnership with our friends at Carrier Roasting Company. Each batch features a unique origin and roast of beans with a different set of ingredients and process. Bottles will be available 9/28 at Warren Store and Hunger Mountain Co-op, 9/29 at Beverage Warehouse, and 10/3 at Craft Beer Cellar Waterbury.
During this month, you’ll find fresh batches of Sip of Sunshine IPA and Super Session #8 (cans and draft) around the states of Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York City. There is also a fresh delivery in the Portland Maine area!
We’ve also added new Vermont accounts in Stowe, Burlington, Montpelier, Woodstock, Randolph, and Middlebury – with more geographic areas to come! Locations will be regularly updated on the Find Our Beer page.
SPECIAL EVENTS
We hope you were able to join us on August 25th for our official Groundbreaking Ceremony for our new brewery, taproom and retail store. In case you missed it, check out the great video that documented the festivities!
On September 16, join us at the Massachusetts Fermentational in Worcester organized by the Massachusetts Brewers Guild, a nonprofit organization that exists to protect and promote the interests of craft breweries across the Commonwealth. More than fifty breweries are expected to pour at the Mass Fermentational, which will raise funds to create educational and marketing programs for local breweries and support the organization’s government affairs work. Lawson’s Finest will be pouring Knockout Blonde, Sip of Sunshine IPA, Super Session #8, and a special Brewer’s cask!
On September 23, we will be spending the day at Siptemberfest hosted by Mad River Glen in Fayston VT! We anticipate offering Knockout Blonde, Carrier Mild, Mosaic IPA, Super Session #8 and Sip of Sunshine IPA.
Breaking Ground & Maple Tripple!
Lawson’s Finest Liquids is excited to announce the construction kickoff of our new brewery, retail store and taproom in Waitsfield, Vermont! A groundbreaking ceremony will take place at the warehouse building located at 155 Carroll Road on Friday August 25 at 3pm, followed by a celebration until 7pm. Vermont Governor Phil Scott, along with other officials and local leaders, will be in attendance to commemorate our eagerly anticipated addition to the economic vitality of the Mad River Valley.
The groundbreaking party will feature an assortment of Lawson’s Finest draft beers for sampling and purchase including our new Super Session #8, Bit of Balsam IPA, Maple Nipple, Hopzilla Double IPA, and Sip of Sunshine IPA. Festivities will include music by The Phineas Gage Project and food from Good to Go Catering.
Attendees will have the opportunity to purchase bottles of our award-winning 2016 Maple Tripple, which is brewed only once a year during sugaring season with locally-sourced maple sap. There will be a 4 bottle limit of Maple Tripple, and we’ll also be selling specially priced cases of Sip of Sunshine IPA and Super Session #8.
Please note: all draft and bottle sales are CASH ONLY!
Lawson’s Finest co-owner Karen Lawson notes, “We have undertaken a year of careful planning and design, and are thrilled to have crossed that finish line so that we can now focus on building the taproom and retail space from the ground up, and renovate the warehouse building to accommodate a 30-barrel brewing system.” Brewer and co-owner Sean adds, “It’s so exciting to start the construction phase for our new destination and finally have a home for the public to visit.” The Lawson’s anticipate a grand opening in autumn 2018.
August Beer News
BEER DELIVERIES
We hope you are relishing the amazing days of summer!
Knockout Blonde will be available beginning August 24 (bottles and draft). This bitter blonde packs a hoppy punch with a flavorful blend of North American malts and copious amounts of Cascade and Centennial hops. Bottles will be available 8/24 at Warren Store and Hunger Mountain Co-op, and 8/25 at Beverage Warehouse, and 8/29 at Craft Beer Cellar Waterbury.
UPDATE 8/18/17 – DUE TO CHANGES IN OUR BREWING SCHEDULE, MOSAIC IPA WILL NOT BE RELEASED IN AUGUST. THE SEPTEMBER BEER NEWS WILL HAVE AN UPDATED RELEASE SCHEDULE.
Mosaic IPA will be available starting August 31 (bottles and draft). Brewed with Mosaic hops including lupulin powder and lupulin pellets, this single-hop American IPA features juicy flavors of mango and grapefruit combined with herbal and earthy pine character. Bottles will be available 8/31 at Warren Store and Hunger Mountain Co-op, and 9/1 at Beverage Warehouse, and 9/5 at Craft Beer Cellar Waterbury.
During this month, you’ll find fresh batches of Sip of Sunshine IPA and our new Super Session #8 (cans and draft) around the states of Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York City. Super Session #8 is a quaffable brew loaded with Mosaic hops and designed to be light and refreshing with lower alcohol (4.8% ABV), yet the full hop character of an IPA.
Lawson’s Finest is proud to announce that our beer has landed in Maine for limited distribution the last week of July! For Lawson’s inaugural launch in Maine, Vacationland Distributors received a limited shipment of our flagship Sip of Sunshine IPA for distribution in the greater Portland area, as well as key craft beer destinations in several other counties! Fans of the highly recognizable bright yellow 16oz Sip of Sunshine cans will be able to get their hands on Lawson’s Finest lupulin-laden liquids for a limited time. In future months, Maine craft beer fans can expect quarterly deliveries of cans and draft beer of both Sip of Sunshine IPA and Super Session #8.
SPECIAL EVENTS
We are excited to announce the hiring of our two new team members Alyssa & Chuck! Alyssa notes, “Previously working for the Vermont Brewers Association proved to me that Vermont’s craft brewing industry is unlike any other. It is a true privilege to contribute to such a dynamic industry comprised of so many creative and hardworking individuals. I am so excited to join the Lawson’s Finest team as the Office Administrator and be a part of the brewery’s growth in Vermont (and beyond)!” And Chuck says, “I couldn’t be more excited to represent Lawson’s Finest as their Brand Ambassador, as the position allows me to bring my passion for craft brew and professional background in sales and business development together. I look forward to working with the LFL team to take the Lawson’s brand into this exciting new stage of growth.” In the attached photo left to right – TJ Greenwood, Operations Director; Karen Lawson, Co-owner; Alyssa Sorrentino, Office Administrator; Chuck Derrick, Brand Ambassador; Sean Lawson, Co-owner and Brewer.
Please take a moment to read the Valley Reporter’s story about our progress towards breaking ground on our new brewery, retail and taproom!
On Monday August 21, join us at Outstanding in the Field, a beer dinner hosted by our friends at Ploughgate Creamery and Hen of the Wood. Savor delicious beers and spectacular food amidst one of the most dramatic backdrops in Vermont. Treat yourself to this event which is not to be missed, as tickets are going fast!
July Beer News
BEER DELIVERIES
Starting July 1, a batch of Rhubarb Basil Saison will be released in bottles and draft in Vermont. This springtime brew uses Pilsner, Munich, and Wheat malts, with 40 pounds of fresh local rhubarb and a hearty dose of fresh local basil then fermented with a French Saison yeast for a dry finish. Bottles will be available 7/1 at Craft Beer Cellar Waterbury, 7/6 at Warren Store and Hunger Mountain Co-op, and 7/7 at Beverage Warehouse.
Beginning July 11, Maple Nipple will be released in bottles and draft. It’s a big and rich maple ale loaded with Vermont’s finest maple syrup from start to finish. Our hearty Vermont Maple ale is a unique and tasty brew that is smooth and strong so watch out! Bottles will be available 7/11 at Craft Beer Cellar Waterbury, 7/13 at Warren Store and Hunger Mountain Co-op, and 7/14 at Beverage Warehouse.
Hopzilla Double IPA quenches your thirst beginning July 20 (bottles and draft). This monster of an India Pale Ale will make you pucker up! Loaded with high-alpha US grown Summit, Amarillo, Centennial and Cascadian hops. This brawny, dry hopped ale is wicked strong and will terrorize your taste buds, but has enough malt backbone to balance the intense bitterness. Bottles will be available 7/20 at Warren Store and Hunger Mountain Co-op, and 7/21 at Beverage Warehouse, and 7/25 at Craft Beer Cellar Waterbury.
Idaho 7 IPA makes an appearance starting July 27 (bottles and draft). Brewed with copious additions of Idaho 7, this single-hop American IPA features a new experimental variety. Hop growers describe the character as apricot and orange combined with black tea and a subtle herbal note. Bottles will be available 7/27 at Warren Store and Hunger Mountain Co-op, and 7/28 at Beverage Warehouse, and 8/1 at Craft Beer Cellar Waterbury.
During this month, you’ll find fresh batches of Sip of Sunshine IPA and Super Session #2 (cans and draft) around the states of Vermont, Connecticut and Massachusetts. Expected in early August are our new cans and draft of Super Session #8! Super Session #2 is brewed with Amarillo hops, while Super Session #8 is brewed with Mosaic hops.
We are thrilled to add Metro New York City to our distribution areas! We’ve chosen Sarene Craft Beer Distributors to deliver limited amounts regularly of Sip of Sunshine IPA and Super Session #2 (draft & cans). Look for it at your favorite Metro NYC craft beer account!
SPECIAL EVENTS
July 21 & 22 is the Vermont Brewers Festival on beautiful Lake Champlain in Burlington. Tickets remain for the Friday daytime session so buy yours now! Lawson’s Finest will be pouring all of the fan favorites (Hopzilla IPA, Space in Between, Idaho 7 IPA, Maple Nipple Ale, Bit o’ Balsam IPA, Rhubarb Basil Saison, Super Session #2 and Sip of Sunshine IPA). Plus there will be two special beers only available at the Festival! On Friday at Session 1, we will be tapping a special keg of 2015 Maple Tripple Ale, our three-time Specialty Ale winner at the World Beer Cup (2010, 2012, 2016)! On Friday at Session 2, Sean will be tapping a special cask of Super Session #8, double dry hopped with Mosaic and infused with blood orange!
Lawson’s Finest was honored to be invited as a guest brewer to the Maine Brewers Guild Beer Festival on July 29 in Portland. The Maine Brewers’ Guild Summer Session is the biggest brewfest in Maine and your best chance to try Maine’s best beers, and beers from out-of-state breweries who don’t normally sell their beer in Maine.
The recent batch of our award winning Maple Tripple is bottled and resting comfortably. Stay tuned for details on our anticipated autumn release!
