Summer's Almost Here

Hey Friends,

Sorry to repeat, but, its hard to keep with the blog these days. I will try to get you more regular updates on what's brewing...but no promises! I do promise to get you a photo of our madly growing hops next update, which btw will never keep up with the vigor of the bines growing down that the Alchemist. Check out his blog pics! Now John does have a 1000' of elevation less than here on the side of Lincoln Mtn and a longer growing season to boot...

This picture is a favorite reminder of summer - paddling, camping, and sippin' some of my buddies tasty homebrew...which when gone floats nicely back to the rig! At an undisclosed location somewhere in northern Vermont.

This week, we'll be making our second Farmer's Market appearance in Waitsfield on Saturday, May 30. I'll have the Weiss K wheat bier, Papelblonde Ale, and Chinooker'd IPA for sale in bottles with samples too. The double-batch of 2009 Maple Tripple is cellaring in kegs right now, and boy its a doozy! Will clock in just over 10% again this year, but with more maple character than I've ever been able to get before. Bottles of this limited edition brew, or as I call it a "once-a-year-beer" will only be released for sale at the Farmer's Market this summer and fall.

The Warren Store will be getting Papelblonde Ale on the shelf tomorrow, get it while you can...I'm sure they'll be cleaned out before the weekend is over. The Pitcher Inn and Village Porch have the Papelblonde and Porch Pint respectively, while The Common Man continues to feature the Maple Nipple Ale as their house "Lawsons" brew on tap.

Over at the Alta Day Spa next to the Pitcher Inn in the Village of Warren, Joannie is working up a special treat for "Men's Month" in June. She is creating a special exfoliant and pedicure soak with hops from Lawson's Finest! Mmmmm. You can grab a bomber across the street at the Warren Store and sip while you relax to wafting aromas of Cascade hops. So, dads out there, you know what to ask for Father's Day now.

I'm working up some stashes for the Vermont Brewers Festival in July....MMM. I can tell you I'm hanging onto some kegs Fayston Maple Imperial Stout (10%) that will have been aged 4 months for the fest. I'll also be releasing an experimental beer, that will be called BrettPA or maybe Brettzilla! Its my Hopzilla Double IPA, aged on Brettanomyces for months in a keg. I'll also be doing a up a special batch of spruce beer, as many of the VT Brewers are doing as a feature for this year's fest. In addition to that, look for some additional maple curiousities, our regular rippin' Chinooker'd IPA, PapelBlonde Ale, and the Weiss-K.

Until next time....

Lots-O-Brew News

Hi all,

Pressed for time as always these days...in a flash format here's an update. (Couldn't resist posting the cute photo of Jade Carolyn :-)

Well-stocked Warren Store has Weiss-K wheat bier, Chinooker'd IPA, and Hopzilla Double IPA on the shelf right now. Papelblonde Ale on the way soon.

Comman Man and Pitcher Inn re-open after mud-season hiatus with Maple Nipple Ale and Papelblonde Ale respectively. The spring "Porch Pint" is the Maple Nipple Ale, down in Rochester at the Village Porch. This weekend (5/1-2), Flatbread in Waitfield will be pouring the Papelblonde.

Went to the Craft Brewer's Conference in Boston last week...great time, super contacts, and whoa, the beer! This visit got me jump started on the next round of improvments to Lawson's Finest, with new taphandles, glasses, and possibly equipment by this fall.

WAITSFIELD FARMERS MARKET

May 16th is the first date of the Waitsfield Farmer's Market...and I'll be there offering tastings and bottles for sale! This year's dates are scheduled to be as follows:

May 16, May 30, June 13, June 27, August 1, October 17, and October 24.


VERMONT BREWER'S FESTIVAL -- July 17 & 18

I am psyched to be part of this fantastic festival for my second year. Making the leap from the VIP tent (RIP...) to the main event. There are many exciting changes in store for this year's festival to improve the experience for beer lovers and brewers alike. Tickets go on-sale on May 15 and the fest is sure to sell out. Click on the link above to visit the official VBA website for more detailed info on the fest and online tix sales. If you are interested in volunteering at the festival, go to the VBA website. If you are intested and volunteering for Lawson's Finest, get in touch with me.

GUEST BREW

I can't tell you how excited (and grateful) I am about this one....we are working on arrangement for me to be a guest brewer at another Vermont brewery, which will allow me to brew up a BIG batch (whoohooo!) and provide an adequate volume of beer (like 4+ barrels!) for the Brewer's fest. It also means Lawson's Finest will debut as a guest beer on tap at one of Vermon't fine brewing establishments. Once we nail down the details, I'll reveal a bit more info on this one.

That's all for now...cheers!