Get to know the Droppas!

Jack '11 and Emily Tulip Droppa '09 are the masterminds behind Weird Window Brewing and the creators of the two St. Lawrence-themed beers featured in this year's 1856 Challenge. We sat down with Jack & Emily to discuss their new brews, entrepreneurship, and Laurentian connections.

Jack '11 and Emily Tulip Droppa '11 with their daughter, Alice '44 

What’s the most memorable SLU alumni network encounter at Weird Window Brewing?

There have been quite a few SLU encounters at the brewery. While we do get customers who come to the brewery knowing we went to SLU, the most surprising encounters are the ones when we randomly discover the SLU connection just from talking to someone at the bar. There are so many SLU connections here in VT, it feels like at least every other week or so we will be talking to someone and we will find out they either went to SLU or they have a family member or friend who did. One that stands out though is Joe Erlichman. He came to the brewery to talk about equipment for his brewery he was planning in Canton, and when we said that we went to SLU he said he was a professor there! That was definitely a surprise.    

What’s the most important skill you learned at SLU that prepared you to be an entrepreneur?

We feel that the liberal arts education we received at SLU prepared us to be an entrepreneurs by providing us with a well-rounded education. Jack was a history major and an education minor, and while those degrees might not have much to do with brewing, they provided him with critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Emily was a psychology major and education minor, and she also received her Masters in School Counseling at SLU. Again, while these degrees might not seem to have much to do with opening a business, they definitely provided Emily with some essential organizational and interpersonal skills. Emily also bartended at the Hoot in undergrad and grad school, which was helpful too!

"1856 Lager" and "Scarlet & Brown Ale" are great, but what’s the funniest SLU-themed beer name option that didn’t make the cut?

We actually have a couple SLU themed beers in the regular rotation here at the brewery - Townhouse and Skippy Hates Haze. Townhouse is a Pale Ale and is named for where Jack first learned to brew which was the Townhouses at SLU. Jack actually brewed my first batch of beer on the stove in Townhouse 201! Skippy Hates Haze is named for one of our best friends from SLU, whose nickname at SLU was Skippy, and he is the one that also actually taught Jack how to brew.  As for beer names that didn't make the cut, we considered Larry Lager, L4L IPA, Canton Cream Ale, and a few others. There may have been some others that were jokes with our friends from our time at SLU, but since they would only make sense to a few alumni they were quickly eliminated.

What are your top-3 reasons you choose to give back to SLU?

There are a lot of reasons we choose to give back to SLU. First is to support current students in hopes that they can get as much out of their time at SLU as possible. We have enjoyed being a part of the SLU Connect Burlington program and getting to spend time with current students and talk about their plans after SLU, as well as reminisce about SLU experiences and traditions that all SLU alumni share. Second is we wouldn't be the people we are today without SLU. We met at SLU, Jack learned to brew at SLU, many of our best friends are from SLU, and we spent four of the best years of our lives at SLU. Giving back is how we can say "thank you" to a place us that means so much to us. And third is to stay connected and support the Alumni Network. SLU has such an incredible alumni network, whether we’re walking our dog, talking with customers at the brewery, or just out and about in the area, if we see someone who has SLU swag, there is an instant connection. Being part of the SLU community goes beyond just your class year, whether you graduated in 2009, 2011, or 2024, when you meet another SLU alumni, you share something special. Giving back to SLU is the least we can do to continue the legacy of community and support that has been a part of SLU since 1856.

Cheers!