Best of Boston

1998 Best Pub, Brew

Back Bay Brewing Company

No matter how much they tinker with the menu, the food never gets beyond adequate, not to mention over-priced. But Tod Mott still brews the best damn small-batch beers. His India Pale Ale, bitter ale and seasonal brown ale are all excellent renditions of classic styles, and his lager is one of the better light beers to be found locally. His seasonal offerings— stouts, Belgian triple, mai blocks— are generally superb.

755 Boylston St., Boston, 617-424-8300,