USA, TX: Urban Jungle Brewery looks to switch up Austin’s craft beer industry a little bit

Shannon Harris aka 'The Brew Brotha' is a man on a mission, CBS Austin reported on October 15.

"I'm looking to switch up the industry a little bit," said Harris.

'The Brew Brotha' wants to diversify the craft beer world starting in Austin.

"I really kind of built a name for myself in the beer industry," said Harris.

After years of learning and observing the trade, Harris is ready to pour out his own brew with Urban Jungle Brewery.

"I wanted to travel the world and brew beer. So I brewed all over the place," said Harris.

Harris says his brewery would also be a tap room, garden, and bakery. He's working with his wife Tiana to make it happen. She's got farming experience.

“It’s for sure a team effort,” says Harris. "She'd be making a mark herself... there's not many women in the brewing world."

According the Brewers Association, out of the over 8,000 breweries in the U.S. less than 1% are owned by Black people.

Of the over 340 breweries in Texas, only one is operated by a Black owner, there's none in Austin.

"When you walk into a brewery. What do you see? Not a lot of diversity right?" explained Harris. " Let's start the conversation and work towards diversity and inclusion.

The support for Urban Jungle Brewery is there.

"We're truly blessed in the community behind us," said Harris.

Over the summer, 800 people supported Harris' Kickstarter effort to begin his journey.

Harris raised over $60,000 for seed money for Urban Jungle Brewery.

"Humbling experience to have right now to know that there are so many other people who believe in his brewery as much as we do," said Harris.

Harris said he believes he can open the brewery as soon as summer 2022.