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Brews and Bros

Alumni
September 06, 2016

by Melanie Skaggs (B.A. ’01)

The four alumni
The four St. Mary’s University alums standing in front of beer vats in the Busted Sandal brew room.

The small-batch craft beer movement is big business, and four St. Mary’s University alums are in the thick of it.

What started as a friendship among St. Mary’s classmates — and a shared love of brewing beer — has turned into Busted Sandal Brewing Company, which opened in San Antonio in 2013.

“We got in at the right time,” said Roland Tamez (B.B.A. ’99), Busted Sandal’s marketing director.

The partners are Tamez, Joseph Alvarado (B.B.A. ’01), Chris Rodriguez (B.S. ’01) and Jason Dennis (CL ’01), plus two additional partners, Michael DiCicco and Robert Garza.  Each plays a part in the operation, sales, marketing or making of the beer.

Cans of 210 Ale
Cans of Busted Sandal’s 210 Ale on the production line.

In the beginning, the friends used small-scale home brewing kits before moving out of the garage and into the local community, including The Pub at St. Mary’s, which often serves Busted Sandal.

While they still have their day jobs, the brewery keeps them busy. After fewer than three years, they are tripling the size of their current tap room and have draft taps at more than 100 local establishments.

More from the Summer 2016 Issue

Under the watchful eye of coach Tom Zabel, Jessica Brower and an opponent prepare to spar.
Athletics and Recreation

You Don’t Know Sumo

Jessica Brower has, perhaps, the best icebreaker in the history of conversation. The diminutive St. Mary’s University senior tells people, quite matter-of-factly, that she’s a sumo wrestler.

Students at Alternative Spring Break in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Faith and Service

Breaking for Service

Spring break is not often synonymous with volunteerism and sacrifice, but since 1999 groups of St. Mary’s University students have spent the week giving to others, through a transformational experience called Alternative Spring Break.

Alumni

Good Fortune and Karma

Kristal Cuevas quit her corporate job and found her calling in a yoga studio. Eager for a change of pace away from the fluorescent lights and 9-to-5 office setting, she started a retail job. Cuevas enjoyed the position, but it wasn’t until she attended a yoga class that she discovered her calling.

Read More Stories

Faith and Service

Vice President for Mission to host show on Catholic TV 

The fact that the Rev. John Thompson, S.M., Ed.D., isn’t on television already may be a surprise.  The Vice President for Mission certainly has the personality for it. There’s always a smile on his face, a witty response ready to go and charisma to fill multiple rooms.

Law

Recent J.D. graduate accepts prestigious federal clerkship 

Berenis Ibarra López (J.D. ’24) accepted a 2026-2027 clerkship with the Hon. Irma Carrillo Ramirez, J.D., of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. López is currently a law clerk for the Hon.

Arts and Humanities

Transfer student finds invaluable resources, shared community at St. Mary’s University 

A’marie Pollard found a more diverse Political Science program at St. Mary’s and a community that supports its students through challenges.

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