Walk into the taproom at Lady Justice Brewing in Aurora, Colorado, and you’ll feel it right away: this isn’t just a brewery. The walls, adorned with murals of icons like Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Marsha P. Johnson, speak to a mission bigger than pints and profits. Every pour here is part of a much larger story, one about representation, community, and justice served in a glass.
Founded in 2014 by Betsy Lay, Kate Power, and Jen Cuesta, Lady Justice Brewing began as a radical experiment in social enterprise. The three met while serving in AmeriCorps, bonded over their love of beer, and began asking a simple but powerful question: “What if beer could fund a better world?” From that idea, they built a brewery with a mission to give back—channeling profits not into expansion or excess, but into Colorado nonprofits that support women, girls, and nonbinary people.
At first, Lady Justice operated on a subscription-based Community-Supported Beer (CSB) model, where members received limited small-batch beers, and the proceeds flowed straight into grassroots organizations. The concept was so successful that when they opened their full taproom in 2020, right in the teeth of a global pandemic, it became a gathering place for more than just beer lovers.
Today, Lady Justice Brewing is as much a community hub as it is a brewery. Their #PouringGoodness program directs $1 from each featured pint to local nonprofits, while their taproom calendar fills with fundraisers, mutual aid events, trivia nights, and meetups for groups that often struggle to find affirming public spaces. The result is a welcoming, vibrant atmosphere where activism and conviviality coexist seamlessly.
But while their mission is front and center, the beer itself is far from an afterthought. Known for well-crafted IPAs, crisp lagers, and seasonal releases that keep regulars intrigued, Lady Justice proves that purpose-driven brewing can still deliver top-quality pints. Their creativity extends to naming beers after cultural icons and changemakers, infusing each release with meaning that extends beyond flavor.
What truly sets Lady Justice apart is its place in craft beer culture. In an industry still dominated by men and overwhelmingly white, Lady Justice stands out as one of the few woman-owned, queer-owned breweries in the United States. Their presence challenges old norms and creates visibility for groups historically underrepresented in the craft beer world. It’s not just about making great beer; it’s about showing who belongs in the brewhouse, behind the bar, and at the table.
Since its founding, Lady Justice has donated tens of thousands of dollars to more than 30 local nonprofits, proving that beer can be more than a beverage; it can be a vehicle for social change. And perhaps most importantly, they’ve built a brewery that feels like a home for those who’ve never quite seen themselves reflected in traditional pub culture.
In short, Lady Justice Brewing is reshaping what it means to be a craft brewery. It’s not just about hops, malt, and yeast; it’s about values, representation, and building community one pint at a time. Raise a glass here, and you’re not just enjoying a beer; you’re helping write a more inclusive, just, and joyful story.
