Kay Calvin Perseveres With Patience, Positivity, and Plants
The self-described "vegan hippie" cherishes her chosen family in beer.
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Despite her public-facing role as the sales manager and special events coordinator at Second Pitch Beer Company in San Antonio, Texas, Kay Calvin says she’s secretly an introvert. “It probably sounds weird coming from someone who does sales and events, but I’d rather be curled up reading a book, or taking a bubble bath and burning some incense, or watching some kind of trash TV,” she laughs. Prioritizing self-care is crucial, especially for those who’ve gone through difficulties regarding health, as Kay has. At age 33, she was diagnosed with breast cancer, which meant chemo and a double mastectomy before going into remission last summer. Preventative treatment measures are now a part of her life, but far from its entirety, so let’s hear from her about that life—right now.
“If I was a flower, I’d consider myself a sunflower,” says Kay, who calls herself a “big hippie” nature-loving vegan, tucking crystals in nooks around the brewery for protection and burning sage for blessings.
It's not just the way sunflowers look that draw her to them. It’s their stamina, tenacity, and ability to bloom nearly anywhere—aspects she incorporates into her own life every day.
Plants, nature, and science have been integral parts of her life for as long as she can remember, with her interest in the latter eventually leading her to culinary school after high school. She’s worked as a pastry and sous chef, but preferred pastry. Baking’s blend of art and science is similar to brewing, which is where she initially thought where she would end up after transitioning to a career in craft beer.
“The chemical side has always been my favorite and I think that’s why I like to brew,” Kay explains. “All the different processes of it, checking the gravity, doing the math, and everything that comes with it is similar to some things in baking.”
But, she says, while her path led her towards more front-of-house positions, she still enjoys popping in for a brew day or two, lending her culinary expertise to creating recipes for beers like a milk chocolate stout and a raspberry chocolate stout for Valentine’s Day. Despite the unexpected destination, she’s happy with where she landed. “The beer community in San Antonio is a good group of people for sure, at least in my personal experience,” she says.
That good group of people stepped up when she needed them most. When Kay first received her cancer diagnosis, Second Pitch set up a fundraising event filled with local vendors, all of whom donated their entire profits towards her expenses. “The turnout to that and people checking on me… it was almost overwhelming,” she says.
Kay knows her positive experience of acceptance and support from her “chosen family” isn’t universal across craft beer, but she hopes it’s getting better every day. “There’s still misogyny here and there, unfortunately, but I’ve definitely noticed a change, especially in the last few years,” she muses. “There’s been a shift where we as women, and non-binary folks as well, are getting a lot more recognition… it still has a ways to go, but it’s a start. There are definitely people trying to make a difference.”
She credits part of that improvement to San Antonio’s relatively small and tight-knit craft beer scene. Toxicity isn’t tolerated, because everyone knows everyone and word of bad behavior travels fast. But she knows there’s always room for improvement.
“Being inclusive all the time rather than when it looks good on paper—that something even people doing ‘the right thing’ can do more of,” she says, suggesting steps like “doing things when it’s not Pride season, honoring Black artists when it’s not just February. Let’s recognize women all the time, not just during Women’s Month.”
Even as her sphere of beer evolves, grows, and improves, Kay always has one foot in nature. She has no plans to leave Second Pitch—even hoping for an expanded role as distribution grows across Texas and beyond—but if she did, it would be to fulfill a lifetime dream: farming.
“It’s something I’ve always thought about doing,” she says, outlining a plan to one day run a hemp and hops farm. Her ideal day involves hiking, anything near water, and taking her pit-Labrador mix on random adventures, so if she could translate that into a new career, she’d jump at the opportunity.
Until then, Kay hopes others will join her in craft beer, especially those who are interested but may be hesitant. “If you’re the minority in craft beer—women and people of color in general—don’t fear coming into the craft beer world. There’s a place for us, and it’s only getting bigger.”
Kay’s Instagram is private (request if you dare!), but you can follow Second Pitch here. Special thanks to Paige Martin (@beerpaigelove) for nominating Kay!
What I’m Reading
As a recent, but committed HOKA devotee (who also happens to be an Elder Millennial with plantar fasciitis and generally bad balance), to say I resonated with this article from The Atlantic about how people in their late 30s are driving the absurdly large shoe revolution would be an understatement. Believe the HOKA hype.
What I’m Waiting For
Still the final cover for my book! I didn’t realize the temporary “placeholder” cover would be up for quite so long, so I’m really hoping to be able to share a brighter, fresher, better, for real cover very soon. (It won’t have any wood grain pattern or stock photography, I can assure you.) In the meantime, you can take a peek at some of the illustrations and endorsements right here (where you can also pre-order the book, if you are so inclined).
What I’m Drinking
I’m solidly aboard the low-to-no ABV train, but I’ve found myself generally more partial to hoppy NA beers rather than malty styles. However, Bravus Brewing Company’s Peanut Butter Dark was delightful, like a roasty stout-meets-root beer for a bubbly, well-balanced, not too sweet treat that was surprisingly rich and refreshing.
Do you know of a woman or non-binary person working in beverage alcohol who hasn’t seen the spotlight—and should? Nominate them for a future feature!
The Prohibitchin’ logo was designed by Jess Hicks Design.
Wonderful story. I am proud of Kay, she is my grandaughter and a wonderful, person. Thank you for sharing this great story.
THAT’S MY GIRLLLL 🤍🤍🤍