That means that a bartender can recommend pairings of brews and food. It makes it awfully easy to while away more hours than evenings hold, sitting at a barrel, a table, or a bar, piling up empty plates and discovering the breadth of the craft-brewing range.

In a classic cocktail bar, you might tell the bartender that you enjoy a good old-fashioned, and that you’d like to have something along those lines, but different. It’s a safe adventure; you’re expanding your horizons with the help of a skilled guide.

At the Pony Bar, play the brewer’s version of that game. Tell the bartender what beer, ale, stout or cider gives your world a happy head, and open a conversation about what craft pours are in house. A few minutes later, a glass will be set before you, and you’ll learn something new about what you like. If you have questions about the brew, ask.

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