WE ARE SECOND CITY BEVERAGE CO.
Meet the Second City Beverage Co. family! From master distillers, warehouse managers, mixologists, packaging, to the sales and marketing teams - we are the proud faces behind Augusta’s first and only distillery! When you purchase a spirit, cocktail mixer, ready to drink canned cocktail, or flight - our products have been thoughtfully curated by our hands and hearts for your enjoyment. Thank you, from all of us, for #drinkinglocal Augusta!
The People
David Hopkins + Ray Carnes
co-owners of second city beverage co.
“There’s not a word yet for old friends who’ve just met.” – Jim Henson
Twenty years ago, Ray Carnes and David Hopkins met through mutuals, and some would say the rest is history. Ray and David became friends those twenty some odd years ago while both pursuing separate but similar passions in the entrepreneurial world. While David claims to have first been a fan of Ray’s entrepreneurial endeavors early in their friendship, there is no denying both gentlemen were bitten by the business bug long ago. With strong desires toward innovation, along with the mission to bring a sense of lifestyle to their products, Carnes and Hopkins partnered to bring together Durty Gurl Mixers in 2016. Having since successfully launched product after product, their partnership presented itself to 2nd City Distillery in 2020 and has now become a powerhouse in the spirit business.
Enveloping start to finish production of DG’s famous canned cocktails, such as the Transfusion and Vodka-rita, as well as 2nd City’s fan favorite drinks including, but not limited to Crooked Cow and Rabbit Spit, Carnes and Hopkins have found a way to capture a good time into their process, and 2nd City isn’t looking anywhere but forward. So if you find these friendly faces around the distillery, they are more than likely to be flanked by the team they consider the true success of their story. But you’ll know Hopkins, as he will likely be sipping on 2nd City’s Noble Jones Wheated Bourbon (on the rocks!) and Carnes – he's going to have a drink with 2nd City’s house Vodka. After all, raising a glass with a friend is really what it’s all about. Cheers!
David Long
Second city Founder, Distiller
While David Long wears many hats including Founder, Distiller, and Tour Guide (try to stop him from showing you around), when it comes to the business, first and foremost – he’s a fan. One talk with David will have you enamored with stories ranging from “the Wild, Wild, East of Edgefield, SC” where his first distillery, Carolina Moon, was established, to the 2nd City Distillery in his now second home of Downtown Augusta, GA. Falling in love with the distilling business back in 2013, David’s presence is evident and can be seen in every product. From the science behind concocting new products and flavors to ensuring consistency in the brand’s spirit standards, David strives to ensure every sip is supreme. If you’re ever around and see David behind the bar, you can ask him for any of the local libation’s lore, he will deliver! And if you’re wanting to know the Founder’s Favorite, try 2nd City’s Black Label Bourbon!
Dino Dakuras
president of Second city beverage co.
Meet Dino, the President behind Second City Distillery’s doors. While his journey has led him from F&B to laboratories, Dino brings new meaning to the term, “spirited leadership.” With an innate talent for problem solving coupled with a heavy pour of business savvy, Dino has curated Second City’s culture around one word: people. “Money and business will always be around, but people – that’s where the good stuff lies.” Producing incredible products and cultivating a lifestyle brand people love, Dino can be found reaching for any of the RTD’s (Ready-to-drink) but if you want in on Second City’s Commander in Chief’s go to – it’s Durty Gurl Vodka and water with a lime!
The Process
Second City Distillery is reclaiming the culture of small-scale distilling as a craft, returning to the use of quality corn and fresh, local ingredients. Whereas major distillers use the entire run, we only use the “heart” of each batch to yield the best spirits possible.
We ensure that each individual batch meets the highest quality standards, using absolutely no shortcuts. Our products are distilled, bottled, and packaged by hand here at the distillery. As the first distillery in Augusta, Georgia, bringing our “A” game wasn’t even a question. The pride we feel in our products extends from the selection of quality ingredients, right through to the finished product.