Family-owned, boutique craft distributor VT Beer Shepherd has sold part of its portfolio, including the distribution rights to Lawson’s Finest Liquids, and has ceased operations.
Baker Distributing in Colchester, Vermont, has acquired the distribution rights to Lawson’s Finest and other brands from VT Beer Shepherd.
Following the transfer to Baker, Waitsfield, Vermont-headquartered Lawson’s is exiting its local self-distribution business, The Beer Guy, to go statewide with Baker, Lawson’s CEO Adeline Druart told Brewbound.
“We believe this strategic move will be in the best long-term interest of our business, especially as the alcohol beverage market has become hyper-competitive and we work to strengthen ownership of our own backyard and brand development in Vermont,” she wrote. “Baker Distributing aligns with our core values and commitment to cold supply chain and freshness standards.”
It’s unclear which other brands were picked up by Baker as of press time.
Baker’s portfolio includes Molson Coors and Constellation Brands, as well as an existing portfolio of Vermont craft brands (Foam Brewers, The Alchemist, Switchback Brewing, Vermont Beer Co., 1st Republic, Four Quarters Brewing, Foley Brothers and Upper Pass Beer Co.) and national (New Belgium, Bell’s, Founders and Boston Beer) and regional (Allagash) craft offerings.
The closure of VT Beer Shepherd caught several smaller craft brands by surprise, among them Weird Window Brewing in South Burlington, which was not included in the sale to Baker.
Weird Window’s owners shared in a Facebook post Wednesday that they were informed of VT Beer Shepherd’s shut down on April 4, the same day the distributor ceased operations.
“We are disappointed to suddenly find ourselves without a distributor and no clear way to get our beer out to you in stores, bars and restaurants,” they wrote.
Lucy & Howe Brewing founder Jesse Cronin also confirmed receiving the message from VT Beer Shepherd on April 4, which outlined the company’s last day of operations.
In their Facebook post, Weird Window’s owners explained that its beer may disappear from local shelves and draft menus as it sorts out its future route to market and encouraged fans to visit the brewery for draft and packaged beer.
“Please continue to support us by coming by the brewery while we explore our options on how to get the WWB beers you love back to your local craft beer stores, bars and restaurants!” they wrote.
Weird Window founder Jack Droppa told Brewbound that he was disappointed to lose VT Beer Shepherd due to their dedication to small breweries and knowledgeable sales team. He described a “bespoke experience” in working with the distributor.
“They cared about the little brewery,” he said. “They knew a lot of us are one- or two-man operations, and don’t necessarily have the capital for a full-time sales guy or for us to be out selling beer, because if we’re out selling beer, making deliveries, doing sales calls, there’s no one actually brewing the beer.”
Droppa credited VT Beer Shepherd with helping build Weird Window’s brand with statewide distribution over the last four years.
“We had accounts all over the state,” he said. “And then just to find out the day that they were no longer operating was the day we found out that we no longer had a distributor, and it’s obviously disappointing.
“We just have to try to move on and figure out what we’re going to do next because there’s really no clear path for a small brewery like mine where we can get the same level of treatment and exposure.”
Emma Arian, Vermont Brewers Association executive director, told Brewbound that eight of the guild’s members worked with VT Beer Shepherd.
“We are in communication with those that are affected and helping them work through some creative solutions to get into distribution,” Arian said. “As always, we encourage consumers to visit taprooms in person.”
VT Beer Shepherd’s website highlighted its craft-first credentials.
“Every single beer (package or keg) in our portfolio comes from an independent brewer. Yes! Every. Single. One,” the company wrote on its website. “Your support of independent craft brewers has a huge impact on the industry. These breweries are known for creating community and innovation. They each have unique and personal stories to tell – stories of grit, determination, and passion. These brewers have risked nothing short of their life’s savings to do what they love. And that’s something worth getting behind.”
In addition to Lawson’s, VT Beer Shepherd’s portfolio included smaller in-state brewers such as Weird Window, Lucy & Howe Brewing and Red Clover Ale; national craft brands like Deschutes; and New England breweries Trillium, Jack’s Abby, Sacred Profane and Schilling Beer Co., among others.
The company also distributed imported beer from Germany, Belgium, Canada, the Netherlands and England, including Chimay, Delirium, La Trappe, Oud Beersel, Rodenbach, St. Bernadus, and Hofbrau Haus, and others.
VT Beer Shepherd did not return multiple requests for comment. The future of VT Beer Shepherd’s sister company, It’s Good Imports, is unclear as of press time.