Second Chance Beer Company, the “Seize a Pint, Save a Pup” brewery, will celebrate its eighth anniversary with a beer-and-wine pairing dinner on Saturday, September 9 in collaboration with O’Brien’s Pub of the Convoy District and Mia Marie Vineyards of Escondido.

The event at the Carmel Mountain brewery will also serve as the release party of the brewery’s Dawg Daze West Coast IPA anniversary beer, which was created in collaboration with Artifex Brewing Company of San Clemente.

Second Chance Anniversary menu

The three-course meal will feature curated offerings from O’Brien’s Executive Chef Tyson Blake; wine from winemaker, Kiara Boccia-Fenlason; and beer from Second Chance Brewmaster, Marty Mendiola. Blake, Boccia-Fenalson, and Mendiola will all be on hand to discuss their selections.

• First course: Grilled Prawn Escabeche with Apple Ensaladita, Citrus, Herbs, Braised Mustard Seed, Rice Cracker; Buddy Lager; Cobeck
• Second course: Duck Confit, Corn Bread, Avocado Butter, Marmalade Vinaigrette, Mustard Greens, Pickled Peppers; Dawg Daze West Coast IPA; Dry Muscat
• Third course: Crispy Pork Belly with Watermelon, Sweet Pickled Rind, Pepita Dukkah, Guajillo Hot Honey; Fistful of Gummies Fruited Sour, Oaked Falanghina

Dawg Daze has a 6.0% alcohol-by-volume (ABV) and a blend of Citra, Mosaic, and Strata hops. The beer will be available exclusively at Second Chance’s Carmel Mountain brewery on September 9 – with doors opening at 12PM – before being added to its North Park taproom lineup the following day.

Four packs of 16-oz cans will also be available at Trader Joe’s and Total Wine & More locations throughout San Diego and Orange Counties.

“This very modern West Coast IPA is perhaps Brewmaster Marty’s best work to date,” Morrison said. “It was a labor of love for him, as is every Second Chance beer, but this one is extra special because it celebrates an important milestone for the brewery as a whole and the professional and personal growth of all the individuals who have made Second Chance so successful all these years.”

One of San Diego’s Best, with a heart for our furry friends

On July 30, it was announced that Second Chance Beer Company was voted as one of San Diego’s Best Craft Breweries in The San Diego Union-Tribune’s 2023 Readers Poll. Only 10 made the list. Second Chance also is one of five finalists in San Diego Reader’s 2023 poll of its readers for Best Local Brewery.

Part of the proceeds from the anniversary beer-and-wine pairing dinner, like all Second Chance events, will benefit local dog rescues like The Animal Pad and Second Chance Dog Rescue. Since its 2015 opening, Second Chance Beer Company has donated more than $400,000 to local dog rescues and has facilitated new homes for more than 160 dogs through adoption events at its tasting rooms.

Second Chance was founded by Morrison and Mendiola. The brewery started with five employees and three beers, and now has 28 employees with 19 beers at both of its tasting rooms. Second Chance’s Beer Lounge in North Park opened in 2017.

Second Chance’s distribution has been expanding throughout Southern California in 2023, including to the Coachella music festival for the first time. Beer from Second Chance now can be found at San Diego International Airport, San Diego Zoo, and Dodger Stadium. Beginning August 29, core beer Fistful of Gummies will be available on draft at Disney California Adventure Park.

Info and Tickets

Tickets are $65 and can be purchased here. The price includes doggie bags for guests who bring their pups.

Keep up with Second Chance Beer Company through Instagram, and Twitter.

See you there, San Diego!