Lawson’s Finest Liquids and KTA Partnership Continues with the 2022 Return of the KT IPA

November 23, 2021

Collaborative brew supports sustainable recreation in Northeast Vermont

Waitsfield, VT. (November 22, 2021) – After three successful years of partnership, Lawson’s Finest Liquids is excited to continue their collaboration with the Kingdom Trail Association (KTA) into 2022 through their Good Brews for a Cause program. KTA is a Vermont-based nonprofit trail organization whose mission is to provide recreation and education opportunities by managing, maintaining, and building trails to foster the health of their community, surrounding environment, and regional economy in the Northeast Kingdom of the state.

Good Brews for a cause is one of six initiatives that make up the brewery’s Social Impact Program (SIP). It is focused on creating special, limited-release beers and small-batch collaborations to benefit nonprofit organizations with ties to local communities where Lawson’s Finest Liquids is sold. The two organizations first partnered three years ago on a collaborative brew, Kingdom Trails IPA, which resulted in a $6,033 donation in 2020 that aided in the purchase of the Darling Ridge, protecting a vital trail network in Northeast Vermont. Kingdom Trails IPA continues to make a difference every year. The beer quickly sold out in Summer 2021 with $2.00 of every four-pack sold donated to the Kingdom Trail Association for a total of $6,586. These funds support the KTA Trail Ambassador Program to ensure continued vitality of this amazing resource.

“Our business collaborates with organizations that support sustainable recreation. Being active and outdoors is a form of recreation, and re-creation,” said Sean Lawson, founder and CEO Lawson’s Finest Liquids. “With Kingdom Trails IPA, we brewed a beer to support the fine work of the Kingdom Trail Association and their ambassadors. We’re excited to continue that tradition in 2022.”

Dedicated to maintaining more than 100 miles of non-motorized trails across Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, the KTA is a community-focused, non-profit organization in partnership with private landowners. Along with other efforts, the KTA ambassadors program aims to educate and guide trail users on ways to protect the community, landowners, and precious natural resources.

“When you’re a relatively small organization, in a rural community, it’s exciting to partner with other organizations that have the same missions, goals and values,” said Elise Lawson, a board member with the Kingdom Trail Association. “As the Kingdom Trail Association has grown, our ambassadors have become even more important to our community. With this partnership, they’re set to have an even larger impact in the new year.”

Kingdom Trails IPA is a soft and refreshing beer with a mild bitterness and an intensely fruit forward and floral notes. The next batch of Kingdom Trails IPA will be brewed and available for purchase in June 2022.

To learn more about Lawson’s Finest Liquids’ Social Impact Program (SIP), including Good Brews for a Cause, click here.

ABOUT LAWSON’S FINEST LIQUIDS

Based in Waitsfield, Vermont, Lawson’s Finest Liquids produces beers of the highest quality and freshness.

Emulating the best of widely appreciated styles, Lawson’s Finest is home to a growing collection of expertly crafted

beers, including world-class IPAs and unique maple brews. Founded in 2008 by Sean and Karen Lawson, the

company started as a highly acclaimed, small-batch artisanal brewery in Warren, Vermont. In 2014, Lawson’s Finest

Liquids added an alternating proprietorship in Stratford, Connecticut, where the brewery produces its flagship Sip of

Sunshine and Super Session beers. Lawson’s Finest Liquids opened its destination brewery, taproom, and retail

store in Waitsfield in 2018. For more information on Lawson’s Finest Liquids, please visit www.lawsonsfinest.com

or follow the brewery on Instagram (@lawsonsfinest) and Facebook (@lawsonsfinestliquids).

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Bear Den Partners, Owners of Burke Mountain, Make Unprecedented $100,000 Gift to Kingdom Trails, Securing Northeast Kingdom’s Recreational Future

By Jodi Flanagan • October 27, 2025

EAST BURKE, VT – October 27, 2025 – Kingdom Trails, a leading non-profit organization dedicated to the development and maintenance of recreational trails in the Northeast Kingdom, today announced it has received a monumental gift of $100,000 from Bear Den Partners, the owners of Burke Mountain, and Kingdom Trails’ single largest private landowner. This unprecedented corporate donation is the largest in Kingdom Trails’ history and signifies a powerful commitment to the economic vitality and future of recreation in the Northeast Kingdom. The $100,000 investment comes as both organizations continue to expand their collaborative efforts to enhance outdoor tourism and provide world-class experiences for visitors and local community members alike. This funding will be immediately directed toward critical trail maintenance, infrastructure improvements, and sustainable trail development projects across the network, allowing Kingdom Trails to build important new connections and keep the trails in top shape. “We are overwhelmed by the generosity and vision demonstrated by the leadership at Burke Mountain,” said Georgia Gould, Interim Executive Director of Kingdom Trails. “This is more than just a donation; it’s an unprecedented investment in the future health of our trails, our organization, and the entire Northeast Kingdom community. This investment ensures we can not only maintain the current quality of the Kingdom Trails experience but also pursue long-term sustainability and innovative projects.” The gift came during an evening of music and celebration of Kingdom Trails’ Landowners hosted by Bear Den Partners at the Burke Mountain Hotel. The event brought together the landowners, community members, and friends who make Kingdom Trails possible. The evening featured a powerful joint performance by national touring artists Adam Gardner of Guster and Stephen Kellogg, whose music captured the warmth, connection, and spirit that define the Northeast Kingdom. The relationship between Burke Mountain and Kingdom Trails has been instrumental in positioning the region as a premier mountain biking and outdoor destination. Burke Mountain’s contribution emphasizes a shared goal of drawing visitors to the region while ensuring responsible stewardship of the natural resources. “Burke Mountain is a proud neighbor and partner to Kingdom Trails,” said Jon Schaefer, CEO of Bear Den Partners. “We understand that the trails are a critical driver of our local economy and an important amenity for our guests. Making this $100,000 commitment was a clear decision—it ensures the longevity of this incredible network and helps secure the Northeast Kingdom’s reputation as a top-tier outdoor destination for generations to come.” The organizations encourage the public and corporate partners to view this as an inspiration for collective responsibility in protecting and preserving the trails that define Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom experience. Kingdom Trails extends its sincere gratitude to Bear Den Partners for their integral support of this investment and their dedication to the future of the trails. About Kingdom Trails Kingdom Trails is a non-profit organization dedicated to the development and maintenance of a 100+ mile network of non-motorized multi-use trails in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. Utilizing a land-use agreement model with 106 private landowners, Kingdom Trails provides recreational access that promotes healthy lifestyles, economic vitality, and sustainable use of resources. About Burke Mountain Located in the heart of Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, Burke Mountain Resort is an independent, four-season destination owned by Bear Den Partners. Burke delivers 178 acres of world-class skiing and riding in the winter, and lift-served mountain biking and hiking in the summer. Burke’s bike park is adjacent to the world-renowned Kingdom Trails network, a mecca for mountain bikers. Year-round, Burke and the Burke Mountain Hotel host events and activities that reflect the culture and community of Vermont: down-to-earth, uncorporate and driven by the spirit of the mountain and the people who ride it. For more information, visit SkiBurke.com or follow on all major social platforms including Instagram , Facebook and YouTube .