With 20 years of experience in the beer industry, Scott Smith decided to put his knowledge into practice by opening a bottle shop in Cedar Park. Since its opening in 2019, the business has become a hotspot for locals to expand their palettes while connecting with likeminded peers.

The background

Working as everything from a truck driver to a sales and craft brand manager, Smith has traveled all across the country getting to know the beer scene. After returning to Texas after living on the east coast, he noticed the lack of bottle shops in the Austin area.

Smith worked at a couple different places before choosing to create his own business in Cedar Park.
Owner Scott Smith opened the business with his wife Jana in 2019. (Courtesy The Brewtique)
Owner Scott Smith opened the business with his wife Jana in 2019. (Courtesy The Brewtique)
What to expect

As customers walk into the space they will be met with eight pinball machines, a lounging area with a dart board, a foosball table and more than 175 varieties of single beers available to be consumed at the shop.


In addition to single beers, the shop offers ready-to-go packs, which customers can also customize.

Whether you’re interested in IPAs, pilsners, sours or something different, Smith said the business has something for everyone. The shop showcases 20 to 25 new beers each week, he said.

“It's anything from an easy drinking classic pilsner to some crazy off the wall peanut butter and jelly, barley-aged stout,” Smith said. “It could be just a big broad spectrum of beers. Everybody's palettes are different and everybody likes something different, so it gives options.”
The business has a mural outside which is redone with a new design every six months. (Courtesy The Brewtique)
The business has a mural outside which is redone with a new design every six months. (Courtesy The Brewtique)
The space highlights the work of local artists. Every six months in the fall and spring, the store’s outdoor mural gets redone by one of the many artists Smith knows through his network. The previous mural designs are all displayed on the walls inside the shop, framed by additional local art, painted hop vines, stickers, Star Wars references, leftover Halloween decorations and more quirky decor complementing the space’s inviting atmosphere.

“I try to create a fun sort of environment that seems you know whether you're 22, 23, 25 or maybe you're 65 you're like ‘OK, I can vibe here,'” Smith said.


The impact

Throughout his years of ownership, Smith said the best part of operating The Brewtique has been the people.

“We call them customers at first,” Smith said. “Now they're friends. I have their phone number. They have my phone number. They need anything like, ‘Hey, I'm moving next weekend. Can you give me a hand? Sure.’ That type of thing.”
Customers can stop by for events including monthly comedy shows, bingo, vinyl nights and bi-weekly pinball tournaments. (Courtesy The Brewtique)
Customers can stop by for events including monthly comedy shows, bingo, vinyl nights and bi-weekly pinball tournaments. (Courtesy The Brewtique)
Some customers have created friendships at the business and frequent the space for hangouts, Smith said. One group of customers started playing foosball together and now has a dedicated group chat for their foosball games.

Community members can also visit the space throughout the month for events including comedy nights, bingo, pinball tournaments and vinyl nights.


What else?

Brewtique will celebrate its six year anniversary on July 12 from 1-6 p.m. While the details for the event are still being finalised, Smith said all community members are welcome to celebrate the occasion with the business.