Lawson’s wins Deane C. Davis business award

June 23, 2021  |  By Lisa Scagliotti

At Monday’s ceremony to award the Deane C. Davis Outstanding Business of the year award at Waterbury’s Dac Rowe Park: (left to right) Vermont Business Magazine Publisher John Boutin, Vermont Chamber of Commerce President Betsy Bishop, Lawson’s Finest Liquids owners Karen and Sean Lawson, and Lt. Gov. Molly Gray. Photo by Jeremy Baldwin Photography.

The Vermont Chamber of Commerce and Vermont Business Magazine this week awarded Mad River Valley brewer Lawson’s Finest Liquids with their top business honor for 2020. 

At an in-person ceremony at Waterbury’s Dac Rowe Park pavilion on Monday, representatives from the chamber and the magazine hosted representatives from Lawson’s along with the other two companies named finalists for the Deane C. Davis Outstanding Business of the Year Award. 

Lawson’s founders Karen and Sean Lawson took the top award etched in a sizable piece of Vermont granite while representatives from Healthy Living Market based in South Burlington and Union Mutual insurance from Montpelier received runner-up plaques. 

Lt. Gov. Molly Gray attended and announced the results of the 2020 award. Organizers said many nominees were worthy, having persevered through the COVID-19 pandemic to not only grow but to continue their commitment to their communities, their employees and the environment -- key measures for the annual award named for the former Vermont governor. 

“So many Vermont companies live these four key ideals,” said Vermont Chamber President Betsy Bishop. “You don’t get to apply if you don’t put those things front and center.” 

John Boutin, Publisher of Vermont Business Magazine, noted that Lawson’s “radiates a savvy business sense and is a leader in the ever-growing Vermont craft brew industry.”

Over the past year, Lawson’s continued to run its brewing operation in Warren but its Waitsfield taproom was initially shut down and then opened for very limited capacity as COVID-19 guidelines evolved. The pandemic struck less than a year and a half after the taproom serving the public opened, Sean Lawson said. “We’ve now been closed half the time it’s been there,” he said.
Lawson’s was recognized for adapting through the pandemic and staying true to its values that prioritize its employees, the environment, and its community. 

Despite the drop in business, Sean Lawson said the company shifted to curbside sales and kept all staff on the payroll with benefits through the pandemic. Also in 2020, the company added a wellness benefit that reimburses employees for wellness expenses. This year, they said they plan to add paid family leave. 

An example of the company’s social impact efforts is its Sunshine Fund which works through the taproom. Patrons there may make donations to support local nonprofits. On the environmental front, the brewery has worked on energy efficiency and it built a new wastewater treatment facility to reduce the impact of its manufacturing process. 

In accepting the award, Karen Lawson saluted the other finalists and offered thanks to the chamber, the magazine, and Lawson’s staff. “A special appreciation goes to our employees who make us shine every day with world class beer and service,” she said.