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In its first year of operation, Cottonwood Creek Brewery & Smokehouse has worked to foster community in Hutto, while fermenting craft beer.
About the business
The brewery offers craft beer, a full bar and a smokehouse-inspired menu. It is locally owned by Bobby Delmonico, and opened in April 2025.
Many of the items on the menu are infused with signature brews, said General Manager Catalina McKenzie.
McKenzie said the brewery also hosts community events and vendor markets.
What's on the menu
House-made beer cheese, a pot roast infused with the brewery's Hippo Express Porter and chicken brined with the Toast Malone amber ale are just some of the ways McKenzie said Cottonwood Creek has incorporated craft beer in its menu.
The menu also includes familiar bar fare such as fried pickles, truffle fries and buffalo chicken sliders. Smash burgers, brisket and pulled pork sandwiches, and Cubano sliders also nod to the smokehouse-style menu.
Respecting the craft
The integration of the brewery and its smokehouse is one area where Cottonwood Creek differs from many breweries in the area, McKenzie said. Where breweries might typically focus on crafting brews and rely on food trucks to feed patrons, Cottonwood Creek already has both in house.
Among the brewery's signature beers are 15 house brews and 12 guest taps. There's something for every craft beer connoisseur, she said, from the Cornfield Blonde to the Shaquille Oatmeal Stout.
McKenzie also developed the cocktail program to focus on bold Texas flavors, incorporating spirits from Texas distilleries. The Blueberry Old Fashioned uses Still Austin rye whiskey, and the Pineapple Dream is made with Deep Eddy Pineapple vodka.
The brewery was gifted whiskey barrels from Still Austin, McKenzie said, which are used to make the brewery's Bourbon Cowboy barrel-aged brown ale. Some of those barrels have been incorporated into the children's play area, she said.
What they're saying
With an outdoor playscape and kid kits featuring coloring supplies and other small items to keep small hands busy on rainy days, the brewery is intended to be a family-friendly "one-stop shop," McKenzie said.
"You have somewhere you can go with your kids—somewhere you can bring your girlfriend," McKenzie said. "You want to come catch a game with your bros? We got you covered. Definitely a little bit of something for everybody."
Did you know?
The brewery cans its own beer and offers four-packs for purchase to-go. It is also served in about 34 bars throughout Central Texas.
What's next?
McKenzie said Cottonwood Creek Brewing will soon enter two of its signature brews in craft beer competitions. The Hazy Hazy Hippo IPA and El Jefe Mexican lager will be entered at the Wild West Brew Fest in Katy, Tex., and the World Beer Cup in Philadelphia, Penn.
