Hard to believe we're up to the 12th Session already, but it's my pleasure to be hosting it for February. The first Friday is also the first of the month, so it may well sneak up on some of us.

I also find it interesting that Stan noted that the first is only two days before the Super Bowl... is there a hint there? I (briefly) considered going with an "American football" theme which would consist of, what, ice cold American lagers? Miller/Bud/Coors?

But no, don't worry, I wouldn't do that to any of us. Instead, think of it as a warm up for the Super Bowl... and a warm up for the deep winter months, too. The February Session topic is going to be Barleywine.

Whether you spell it "barley wine" (conventional) or "barleywine" (my preference), this is definitely the season for it. It's a style with a wide range of interpretations and possibilities, so I want to leave this Session open for the same: whether it's a tasting review, or a food pairing, or an experience, or a (homebrew) recipe—it's wide open, and I can't wait to see what people come up with.

Update: D'oh! Forgot the posting and notification details! Get them here.