Suds and Sustenance: 9 Breweries with Truly Excellent Food

The name is a nod to Henry VIII, who pronounced hops "a wicked and pernicious weed" that would be the ruin of beer. Thank the Queen that the folks at Wicked Weed didn't listen. Enjoy their IPAs and Belgian-style ales with their seasonal menu of "elegant bar food," such as Scottish salmon with butter beans, corn, and a tarragon sauce or a antibiotic- and hormone-free bison burger with haystack shallots and blue cheese slaw. wickedweedbrewing.com

This little brewery nestled in the Hudson Valley features 10 rotating beers on tap and an upscale comfort food menu featuring local meat, cheese, and produce. Try a snack of polenta bites or a stout-braised beef brisket. crossroadsbrewing.com

Housed in a historic residence, Wrecking Bar brewpub's atmosphere is as lovely as its food, from artistically plated starters — such as a goat liver pate served with bone marrow, venison bread crumbs, and pickled turnips — to heartier fare, like pork osso buco. The brewpub also features a Veggie Tuesday menu as well as brunch and offers over 12 of their own beers on tap. wreckingbarbrewpub.com

This small brewpub in North Central Austin runs as a cooperative: Any beer enthusiast is welcome to become a member-owner and gets to participate in tastings and "beer-design meetings" to determine what gets brewed. And just as they rely on the community for their beer development, Black Star takes a similar local approach to their menu. As much as possible, they source ingredients from local farmers and purveyors, from the ground-brisket Black Star Burger to the Fish & Chips or Shrimp and Grits made with seafood fresh from the Texas gulf. blackstar.coop

This Midwestern microbrewery housed in three combined Victorian-era buildings is committed to running a socially conscious and environmentally responsible business. This includes sourcing ingredients for their brewpub menu from local farmers and even growing some themselves in community gardens, such as vegan roasted butternut squash salad. Each dish on the menu can be paired with a Great Lakes beer to bring out the best flavors in each. greatlakesbrewing.com

Seasonal, local, and sustainable food is au courant on the craft brewpub scene and Portland's Deschutes Brewpub is no exception. Yes, you'll find the usual pub fare, but with an elevated twist, such as curry fries, stout mac and cheese, or a quinoa and cashew burger. deschutesbrewery.com

Known for their "big character beers," Stone Brewing's World Bistro takes a similarly expansive approach featuring innovative plates with a nod to global flavors. Try chicken schnitzel, lamb rigatoni, or Caribbean-inflected duck tacos. stonebrewing.com

This Haight-Ashbury brewery serves seasonally driven, organic pub food for brunch, lunch, and dinner with "neighborhood hospitality." Try house-made sausages, such as smoked-pork and cheddar, any time of day or a beer-brined pork chop for dinner. Or head to their Smokestack location in Dogpatch for smoked meats and communal good times. magnoliapub.com