Southern Charm’s Austen Kroll is going green, but perhaps not in the way some may think.
In an exclusive interview with Bravo’s The Daily Dish, the South Carolinian gave the latest on his growing empire, from the fruits of his multiple partnerships with costar Craig Conover to his successful beer brand, Trop Hop — the latter of which is apparently heading in an exciting new direction.
“I’ll just say it: I’m coming out with a THC seltzer,” Austen revealed at DIRECTV’s Plot Twist – Featuring Bravo event in New York City on August 12. “Very soon, in fact. I just inked that deal with a THC brand.”
In addition to making the announcement, Austen noted, “Look, I know that there are other people, and everyone’s got all sorts of products — tequila brands and seltzers and spritzes and beers — [but] the space is wide enough for everyone. And I’m very excited.”
Related: Austen Kroll Just Made a New Renovation to His Home: “Finishing Touches” (PHOTOS)
Everything to know about Austen Kroll’s beer brand, Trop Hop
Austen founded Trop Hop, a beer line with a tropical flair, in 2018. According to the brand’s website, the idea came about after he found himself wondering, “Why the heck am I slinging someone else’s product?” while “slogging away” for a brewery based in Atlanta, Georgia. He said he wanted set his product apart from the rest, and therefore, placed focus on a flagship tropical IPA with a “very intentional” 6.1% A.B.V. (alcohol by volume) and “heavily fruited” with grapefruit and passionfruit.
He has since expanded by introducing a new flavor, peachy wheat ale.
“Current career bucket list item is getting Trop Hop nationwide and then trying to open up a bar in Charleston,” he said last year while teasing the new flavor. “I’ve always wanted to open a bar here.”
Austen Kroll and Craig Conover reveal new details about their latest joint venture
Craig proudly stood by as Austen shared the news about Trop Hop at the DIRECTV and Bravo event, and after that, the pair shared the latest on their Charleston-based wedding and party venue, The Waverly.
“Our story’s just beginning, you know? Our fairy tale is the beginning of the movie,” Craig told The Daily Dish. “But we want to help people celebrate the middle chapter of their fairy tale, and it all coming together.”
Austen added that their hope for The Waverly is to provide an all-in-one space that prevents people from having to travel to various locations for different wedding events.
Related: Lala Kent Reveals She Would Join Southern Charm After “Interesting” Conversation with Austen Kroll
As Craig put it, “My brother and sister-in-law just got married in October in Charleston, and we got to see the challenges that exist there, and the barrier of entry of being married in Charleston is tough. It takes a long time, so we wanted to make it a little bit more approachable for people. Now you can have your ceremony, reception, and after party all in one place.”
It’s worth noting that Craig and Austen are working with the same business partners from their Charleston restaurant, By The Way, at The Waverly. “We’re just expanding our footprint in Charleston, investing in our backyard,” Craig said.
Get more details on Austen and Craig’s careers, including the way their West Village restaurant is connected to Next Gen NYC.
— Reporting by Stephanie Gomulka
