Today we’d like to introduce you to Kenna Calderon.
Hi Kenna, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
t all started when my family—my dad, Lorne, and my stepmom, Jackie—and I decided we wanted to open our own brewery. My dad has always been a huge beer fan. Some of my earliest memories include his homebrew setup sitting in the spare bathroom tub, bubbling away while it fermented. Beer has kind of always been part of our family story.
In 2021, we decided to turn that long-time dream into a reality and jumped in headfirst. I took on the creative and customer-facing side of things—logo creation, branding, marketing, social media, taproom design, and all the in-person details. I had just graduated with my Graphic Design degree, so it was right up my alley. My dad focused on the beer itself, developing recipes and handling kegs and brewing supplies, while Jackie tackled the food menu and worked through all the permits and logistics.
We acquired our space in downtown Belton on August 1, 2022, and spent the next two months renovating, brewing, and hiring staff. By the end of October 2022, we officially opened our doors to the public!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Like any business, it definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road. We’ve had our fair share of bumps and challenges along the way. We were lucky that the space we moved into had previously been a brewery, which helped ease some of the startup hurdles.
One of my biggest personal challenges was learning how to be a manager. I had worked on teams before, but I had never been the one responsible for hiring, training, and sometimes making tough decisions. Even though we’ve been incredibly lucky to have amazing staff over the past three years, stepping into that leadership role really pushed me out of my comfort zone and forced me to grow quickly.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
We’re a small, family-owned brewery located in downtown Belton, and we brew every single beer we serve right here in our taproom. We also have a full kitchen, so it’s a place where people can come for great beer and good food. We’re known for our craftsmanship and for always having a wide variety of beer styles available—there’s truly something for everyone.
What really sets us apart is that we hand-brew on a small brew system. While many breweries use large, automated systems, we’re in the brewery twice a week physically stirring the wort, measuring, transferring, and making sure every batch is brewed with care. It’s very hands-on, and that attention shows in the final product.
What we’re most proud of, though, is the community we’ve built. A majority of our customers are returning regulars, and even if someone is brand new, we treat them like they’ve been coming in for years. Nolan Creek Brewery has become a place where people come to grab a drink solo and end up making new friends, or reconnecting with familiar faces. That sense of connection is really what our brand is all about.
We also love keeping things fun with events like trivia every Wednesday night, music bingo every other Friday, live music on the weekends, and special events like our annual St. Patrick’s Day “Hop, Skip & Sip” 0.5K. It’s a silly three-block “race” designed for the beer drinkers!
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
What makes me happy at work is seeing how the space we created brings people from all different backgrounds together over a pint. There’s something really special about watching conversations spark and friendships form in a place you helped build. Knowing we’ve created a welcoming, safe space where people feel comfortable gathering and being part of a community is incredibly rewarding.
Outside of work, what makes me happiest is my family and watching my two boys grow up and discover the world. Seeing life through their eyes and experiencing all the little milestones along the way puts everything else into perspective.
Pricing:
- A pint of Beer cost $7-$8
- Food ranges from $5-$14
Contact Info:
- Website: https://nolancreek.beer
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nolancreekbrewery/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nolancreekbrewery
