Second Dawn Brewing to Debut in the Denver Area

Second Dawn Brewing will open at 2302 N. Dayton St. Aurora, CO 80010 (a 5,000-square-foot former auto body shop near Stanley Marketplace), according to founder Ross Koenigs. Koenigs says, while there isn’t yet an exact launch date, he’s hoping to open doors in the first week of October. 

Though Koegnigs’ name might not be household just yet and his brewery is still months away from unlocking its doors & windows, there’s a big, bubbly chance you’re already familiar with some of his creations – especially if you enjoy sipping on some strong hops. For over a decade, Koenigs served as the research-and-development manager for New Belgium Brewing where he concocted popular beverages like the lauded Voodoo Ranger series. 

“‘Aurora’ is dawn in Latin, so we used that definition to show our local pride and also create some happy-hour word-play,” Koenigs told What Now Denver of the brewery’s ambiguous name. “Your ‘second dawn’ is when you’re experiencing the part of the day you actually want to experience.” 

Koenigs has since parted ways with New Belgium, but with good reason and a ton of valuable experience under his belt. Today, Koenigs and his wife Amy are aiming to provide customers with a sensational beer selection and a relaxed environment in their new brewery. 

What’s more, the Koenigses plan to make their establishment wholly accessible and welcoming. In fact, the venue will have no stairs, chair & stool-level seating, and non-alcoholic options for those abstaining or looking to keep it light. Though Second Dawn won’t serve food, Koenigs told What Now Denver he plans to have food trucks outside the establishment, providing ample opportunities for multiple Colorado businesses to thrive simultaneously. 

When asked what else patrons can expect from Second Dawn, Koenigs told What Now Denver, “We’re going for a cafe/coffee shop feel, so it’s going to have softer decor and a lot of plants. We tried to design the space so that it has [awesome] airflow – like we’re bringing the outdoors inside. We want it to feel organic, natural, and comfortable. As far as the menu goes, we’re focusing on IPAs, hoppy lagers, hard seltzers, and adult-themed non-alcoholic beverages. We just want to make the space inviting and inclusive.”