San Antonio Business Journal - by W. Scott Bailey

Friday, June 27, 2008 - 1:35 PM CDT

The San Antonio market's small brewhouse industry will get a little bigger next month.

On July 21, BJ's Restaurant Brewhouse will open its doors at the Village of Stone Oak at 22410 U.S. Highway 281 North.

Huntington Beach, Calif.-based BJ's Restaurants Inc. currently owns and operates 73 casual dining restaurants under the BJ's Restaurant Brewery, BJ's Restaurant Brewhouse or BJ's Pizza Grill brands. A dozen of those establishments are located in Texas.

The company also operates several microbreweries, which produce and distribute BJ's handcrafted beers throughout the chain.

"We are excited to bring the BJ's Restaurant Brewhouse concept to San Antonio, marking our first location in the city and our seventh opening for 2008," says Greg Levin, executive vice president and chief financial officer for BJ's.

Levin says the company plans to open as many as 15 locations in four states in 2008.

The San Antonio location will open to the public at 11 a.m. on the 21st.

Diners and imbibers will find what BJ's officials tout as a "broad, innovative" menu featuring deep-dish pizzas, generously portioned salads, soups and sandwiches. The menu also includes pasta, ribs, chicken and beef entrees, as well as desserts.

The beverage side of the menu features an award-winning selection of handcrafted beers and root beer.

The layout of the restaurants feature detailed contemporary décor with high ceilings, an elevated bar and high-definition flat panel televisions throughout the establishments.