The Vermont Natural Resources Council (VNRC) announced today the launch of the Vermont Brewshed® Alliance (the “Brewshed”). The initiative will engage craft breweries in protecting clean water. VNRC announced the news at Lawson’s Finest Liquids in Waitsfield, a founding member of the Brewshed.

VNRC has been advocating for Vermont’s environment and communities since 1963. In part, the organization brings together many partners to protect clean water for drinking, swimming, paddling, fishing, wildlife habitat, and to improve flood resiliency in a changing climate.

“The Brewshed is an extension of VNRC’s conservation efforts. It’s a mutually-beneficial partnership between breweries, pubs, and VNRC to engage our members and their patrons in protecting the clean water we all depend on” said Brian Shupe, Executive Director of VNRC. “You can’t have good beer without clean water,” he added.

In addition to Lawson’s Finest Liquids (Waitsfield), the founding members of the Brewshed are Alchemist Beer (Stowe), Zero Gravity Craft Brewing (Burlington), Magic Hat Brewing Company (South Burlington), and Halyard Brewing (South Burlington). While the program’s initial members are concentrated in northwestern Vermont, VNRC is actively seeking participation from breweries across the state.

Brewshed partners have many options to engage in conservation, such as fundraising for clean water work through events or by brewing a charity Brewshed beer. In addition, partners will have opportunities through VNRC to contribute to the protection of the state’s clean water resources, from rivers and streams, to wetlands, to the waters of Lake Champlain.

“Lawson’s Finest is thrilled to be a founding member of the Vermont Brewshed® Alliance,” said Sean Lawson, CEO and Founding Brewer at Lawson’s Finest Liquids. “We rely on water from our town well, sourced from an aquifer beneath Scrag Mountain in Waitsfield. Clean water is imperative to making great beer, and every brewery in Vermont relies on either ground or surface water, making it our most important resource to protect.”

“The Brewshed is a way to engage new partners in this critical work, and draw the connection to clean water where many people enjoy it most—in a pint,” said Shupe.

To learn more about the Vermont Brewshed® Alliance, visit vnrc.org/brewshed.

Brewshed® is a registered trademark of Washington Wild.

###