We recently connected with Jeff St. Andre and have shared our conversation below.

Jeff, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

At City Brew Tours Austin, our mission is to be the leading curator of craft beer experiences for visitors, locals, and the community as both an ambassador and an advocate for the brewing industry. But for us, this mission is more than just about organizing great tours—it’s about connecting people to the heart of local craft beer.

Craft beer represents creativity, craftsmanship, and community, and being an advocate for this industry means we’re standing behind the passionate, hardworking people who bring it to life. We are front-line ambassadors for these local businesses, helping people understand not only the art, history, and science that go into each brew, but also the stories of the people and places behind them.

Jeff, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I started City Brew Tours Austin with a deep passion for creating meaningful, local experiences. My family and I have always loved taking local tours—both in Central Texas and when we travel. There’s something special about the way a tour lets you truly connect with the community and culture of a city. You meet new, interesting people, hear unique stories, and get local recommendations that you might not find on your own. That’s what inspired me to bring City Brew Tours to Austin.

At City Brew Tours Austin, we create immersive experiences that highlight the city’s vibrant craft beer scene. We provide fully guided brewery tours that offer guests an insider’s look at the brewing process, complete with tastings and a local snack. Our goal is to give both locals and visitors a true sense of Austin’s craft beer culture by sharing the stories behind each brewery, the craftsmanship in each beer, and tips for other local places to explore.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was that success in business is all about scaling fast and focusing on growth at any cost. When I first started City Brew Tours Austin, I felt a lot of pressure to grow quickly and expand as much as possible, thinking that’s what defined a successful business. But as time went on, I realized that rapid growth isn’t always sustainable, especially in an industry that thrives on personal connections and experiences.

Over time, I realized that success wasn’t about scaling fast—it was about creating something meaningful and sustainable. I had to step back and focus on quality over quantity, ensuring that every tour was crafted to deliver a memorable and engaging experience. Now, I focus on building strong, lasting relationships with both guests and the local brewing community, and I’m proud of how that shift has shaped the business.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Building an audience on social media for City Brew Tours Austin has been less about chasing numbers and more about building a real community. When we first started, it wasn’t about posting as much as possible or trying to go viral. Instead, we focused on sharing meaningful content that truly resonated with our audience.

For us, it’s always been about quality over quantity. Every post is a chance to connect with our community and build relationships, whether we’re engaging with locals, beer enthusiasts, or travelers planning a trip to Austin. We’ve been thoughtful about what we share, making sure it aligns with our mission of celebrating local craft beer and the people behind it. Over time, we’ve built trust with our audience because they know our content is genuine and reflective of the experiences we offer.

My advice for those starting to build their social media presence is to focus on building real connections. Don’t worry about posting constantly—focus on creating content that’s meaningful to your audience. Share your story and give your followers a reason to engage with you. Interact with your audience authentically, and remember that it’s about fostering relationships, not just numbers. When you build a community of people who care about what you do, your social media presence will grow naturally.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.citybrewtours.com/austin
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/citybrewtoursatx
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/citybrewtoursatx
• Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/cbtatx

Image Credits

City Brew Tours Austin