Best of Boston

1997 Best Pub, Brew

Back Bay Brewing Co.

The vittles range from basic barbeque to frou-frou. But anyone who goes to a brew pub for the food is missing the point, which, obviously, is the beer. Back Bay features superb lagers and ales crafted by local brew guru Todd Mott. The classics—bitter, IPA, porter—are accented with a rotating seasonal offering (last winter’s Imperial Stout was outstanding). And with two bars anchoring two floors, there’s plenty of space to drink.

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