A great beer can do more than wash down a meal: its hops, malt and other flavors can complement the food on the table. These nine restaurant chains stand out for extensive beer lists, local craft selections and, in some cases, thoughtful pairing suggestions.

BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse

BJ’s began as a Southern California deep-dish pizza restaurant in the late 1970s and shifted toward brewing in 1996. Today, its brewers at six locations across five states test more than 150 beers a year, with a select few joining the regular rotation alongside seasonal offerings. Some restaurants also sell six-packs to go, including the Brewhouse Blonde and the hop-forward Committed Double IPA.

The Brass Tap

Beer came first at The Brass Tap, which opened in 2008. Food arrived later, with menu recommendations designed to pair dishes and drinks. Some locations offer more than 150 bottled beers, while the chain’s locations feature craft selections and pairings such as beer-battered shrimp with an American pale ale or pretzels with beer cheese alongside a porter.

Flying Saucer Draught Emporium

Flying Saucer puts beer front and center, listing its brews before food on its website and highlighting new arrivals. Its selection includes dozens of drafts and around 100 bottled or canned options, from brown ales and Belgian beers to lambics and stouts. The chain also features local and regional craft breweries across its locations in four states.

Ford’s Garage

Ford’s Garage pairs vintage-car decor with a craft beer menu that varies by location. Its restaurants highlight nearby breweries, such as Copperpoint Brewing in Boynton Beach, Florida, and Rollertown Beerworks and Lakewood Brewing Company in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

HopCat

Founded in Grand Rapids, Michigan, HopCat hand-selects craft beers and considers customer feedback when choosing what to serve. Each restaurant offers at least 40 taps, with seasonal rotations bringing in local and regional brews. When its Lincoln, Nebraska, location opened in 2016, it had 132 beers on tap.

Mellow Mushroom

Pizza and beer remain a central pairing at Mellow Mushroom. Its nearly 160 locations typically offer more than 50 beers, with rotating taps that highlight local breweries. The selection can differ from city to city, making a visit in Phoenix, for example, an opportunity to try Arizona brews, while a Virginia location may pour beers made in the state.

Oak & Stone

Oak & Stone’s signature feature is its self-serve Tap Wall. Guests scan a tap card to pour their choice of beer, wine, whiskey, bourbon or a cocktail, with charges calculated by the amount poured. Its 40 to 60 taps rotate through local offerings, and the drinks pair with dishes such as artisan pizza, sandwiches and wings.

World of Beer

World of Beer offers a wide-ranging selection of domestic and international brews, available by the bottle, can or glass from roughly 50 taps. Its lineup spans styles such as cream ales, fruited sours, saisons and stouts, with beers from countries including Belgium, Germany, Ireland, Mexico and Spain. Despite filing for bankruptcy in 2024, the chain continues to serve customers at locations across the country.

Yard House

Yard House says it offers the world’s largest draft beer selection, with more than 100 taps. Alongside familiar brands, it works with breweries on its own house beers, including styles such as amber tripel, honey blonde ale and IPA. The chain celebrated 30 years in 2026 and has grown to 40 locations.