The state of beer in VT: Lost Nation Brewing in Morrisville - ‘We have overcome insane odds’

This is one of five articles in a series by the Burlington Free Press, which spoke with breweries in Vermont about the state of the beer industry. Brewing in Vermont had been on an upward trend for decades before slowing in the past five years. What are the challenges? What is the future of one of Vermont’s best-known industries?

MORRISVILLE — Lost Nation Brewing was in critical condition. Hard times before and especially after the pandemic led the Morrisville beer maker to stop brewing. The business relied on its restaurant, entertainment space and guest beers in the taproom to stay alive.

Then, last April, co-founder Allen Van Anda ran a batch of beer through Lost Nation’s brewing system. He had been so busy running the business side of the brewery and doing what he could to salvage its future that he hadn’t done any actual brewing himself for nine years.