Southern Charm Star Austen Kroll Launches His Own Beer Line

Last season on Southern Charm, Austen Kroll‘s female costars thought he might be turning into the new Shep Rose, otherwise known as “Shep 2.0.” Those are very big shoes to fill. But once Austen seemed to settle into long-term unemployment and mess things up with costar Chelsea Meissner, who often picked up the tab on their dates, it looked like a good fit.

In his defense, Austen was trying to create his own line of beer. At least it seemed like a more viable business than Craig Conover’s pillow line. At the Season 5 reunion, Austen told host Andy Cohen that he was still in “stages” with his beer, which meant trying out names, networking and branding.

Austen recently updated Bravo’s The Feast about his beer endeavors. First, he’s getting ready to release Trop Hop, the first IPA beer from his beverage company King’s Calling Brewing Co. Second, he just launched Charleston Brews Cruise to offer brewery tours of their charming city. “I’m all about keeping it in the family–the beer family!” Austen said.

Austen shared, “I saw Charleston Brews Cruise as a great business venture and opportunity for me to give back to the community. The tour stops at local breweries, allowing visitors and residents alike to check out the best beers the city has to offer.”

By “the community,” I assume Austen means “himself,” because a brews cruise hardly sounds like a non-profit endeavor. That doesn’t detract from the soundness of the idea: Make the beer, then take paying customers on a tour to pay some more for it.

RELATED: Austen Kroll Disses Relationship With Chelsea Meissner On Instagram

“Drinking with friends?” Austen continued. “Check! Laid-back vibe? Check! Plus, you don’t have to pedal! It’s a win-win for everyone, and who knows what Southern Charmer–ers you might come across on tour.”

I think we have to give Austen major props for taking a pipe dream starring beer when he discussed it with his folks and making it a sudsy reality. I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to cruise.