Second Dawn Brewing Company emerged in Aurora, Colorado, as a heartfelt expression of gratitude, creativity, and craftsmanship. The name nods both to the city itself, Aurora being Latin for “dawn”, and to the time when the workday ends and the best part begins: the second dawn, that moment of relaxation and connection. The brewery lives this philosophy: Second Dawn is the happy place, and every beer is intended as a gateway to yours.
Founders Ross and Amy Koenigs made their dream a reality in early 2023, after Ross spent more than a decade at New Belgium Brewing developing iconic brands like Voodoo Ranger. When the world shut down in 2020, they searched for a space that could house their brewery and their vision. They found it in a repurposed auto body shop just a block from Denver’s Stanley Marketplace, now transformed, with care and intention, into a warm, artsy taproom rooted in inclusion and hospitality.
From day one, Second Dawn delivered beer with a quality that spoke of experience. Ross’s team began pouring traditional styles like Best Bitter alongside modern favorites like juicy IPAs and seltzers, all served with a focus on community and comfort. By its first anniversary, Second Dawn had become a beacon of craft in Aurora, hosting live music, rotating food trucks, local art showcases, and charitable events, supporting Aurora’s creative pulse and reinforcing the brewery’s role as a neighborhood gathering place.
Second Dawn’s beers earned recognition quickly. Their Italian-style pilsner, Wolf of the Woods, won a Bronze medal at the 2024 Great American Beer Festival, an impressive debut in a fiercely competitive field. The brewery also tapped into nostalgia beautifully with Steel Horse, a reimagined tribute to the original Fat Tire amber ale from Ross’s former tenure at New Belgium. Steel Horse is hoppier, dryer, and slightly more bitter, an intentionally fresh take on a beloved classic, available both in the taproom and through nearly 100 retail partners.
Visitors to Second Dawn find more than well-crafted beverages; they discover a versatile gathering spot. The taproom is dog-friendly, bathed in natural light, and fueled by locally roasted coffee and rotating collaborations. It hosts trivia nights, run clubs supporting Aurora Road Runners, craft nights, puzzle evenings, drag queen bingo, and more, making it a vibrant social hub anchored by beer but elevated by goodwill.
Second Dawn Brewing Company is more than just a brewery. It’s the joyful intersection of expert brewing heritage, thoughtful design, community engagement, and inclusive spirit. From the Steel Horse on tap to the trivia nights every week, Second Dawn invites all to ditch the routine, savor the second dawn, and toast to what comes next.
