Rarity’s eyes took a moment to adjust to the dimly lit interior of the Bucking Mare in my Equestria dreamscape. It was around 3 in the afternoon and tavern was sparsely populated. The lunch crowd had left to finish up their day’s work, and evening was still a few hours away. So the tavern staff was for the most part cleaning up and getting for the night.
 
Still the tavern was open for business and as Rarity trotted up to the bar the mare in charge of the taps looked up from the glass she was wiping down.
 
“Rarity! Don’t see yer face in here much! What brings ya in taday?” She paused and admired the fashionista’s outfit. “Don’t usually see ya inna outfit that fine either! What’s the occasion?”
 
The unicorn tossed her violet blue mane. “Oh! This thing! Why I picked it up during my most recent trip to Baltimare. It’s not my usual thing, but it spoke to me. Finally got a chance to where it again today!”
 
 

 
“Well ya make it work! So. What can I do fer ya?”
 
“I am simply famished from all my errand running darling, and I’m in desperate need of nourishment! So I’d like to order a mushroom pot pie, a side of pickled vegetables and a pint of kolsch please!”
 
“Lets git yer order ready then!” The earth pony mare trotted around the corner and started barking Rarity’s order to the kitchen staff. While this was going on Taps, the tavern owner, sauntered up to the bar.
 
“Well I’ll be! Rarity! Been a while since ya graced this fine establishment with yer presence! What brings ya in taday?” As the stallion said this he grabbed a glass and started pulling himself a pint stout. Rarity watched the glass fill with the dark almost black liquid. With years of practice Taps finished filled it to just right point; leaving him a glass where the foam stopped just at the rim.
 
“Oh! Well dear. I’ve been running errands all day and its well past my lunchtime and I’m starving! So I figured I’d visit your establishment and…” Rarity watched as the stallion took a long sip of his drink. “Darling if I may ask. What is that you’re drinking?”
 
The large earth pony lowered his glass. “This? This is stout. Winter Festival Stout ta be specific. We’re almost out of it. Why do ya ask?”
 
Rarity rolled her tongue around in her mouth as she thought. Normally she was a wine and cider pony, and if she did partake of a beer or ale it was one of the lighter lager-styles. However for years she’d watched ponies, mostly stallions, drink this liquid that looked like it was midnight in a glass and she’d been intrigued. But she always associated the drink with big, burly farm ponies. Not a refined mare of fashion like herself. Still….
 
“Um Taps.” Rarity bit her lower lip. “I’ve never had stout. Could I trouble you for a little sip please?”
 
The stallion grinned and extended his right front leg toward her. “Sure! Go ahead! Give it a try! Ya haven’t really had beer until ya have had stout!”
 
Reaching out with her levitation Rarity brought the glass over and gave it a sniff first. It smelled very different from the beers she’d had. This had a rich, deep, almost coffee-like aroma to it with hints of chocolate, and date bread. Intrigued she took a little sip.
 
Oh! This was like no beer she’d ever tried. It was silky with a creamy texture that coated her tongue, and the taste was a whole new world. Dark roasted malts created flavors of espresso, dark chocolate, dates, cherries, and freshly baked bread. While the hops provided floral counterpoints and gave the stout just the right amount of bitterness to balance the sweetness of the malts.
 
Rarity careful swished it around in her mouth and then swallowed. With a twinkle in her eyes she lowered the glass. “Oh darling! Where have you been all my life!” She glanced over at the tap mare who had returned from the kitchen.
 
“Dear! I’d like to change my drink order! I’d like one of these Winter Festival Stouts please! No, wait! I’m feeling adventurous! Make it two! I’m thirsty and in the mood!”
 
To be continued