It’s getting to be my favorite time of year, when the beer focus shifts to barley wine, that simultaneously burly and aromatically sweet nectar of high alcohol. One of the strongest styles of beer, barley wine can vary widely incolor and flavor, depending on the whims of the brewer. American barleywines often have a hoppier and therefore often more floral, sachet-likearoma. Due to their high alcohol content and hopping, they can age foryears. The Finkel’s of Pike Brewing host an annual Old Bawdy tasting where beer nerds and the unconverted can marvel at what a few years can do to a beer, transforming the brew as if it’were a fine wine. Subtle differences in the making become outrageous flavors in the eventual tasting and everyone lives happily, drunkenly after. Old Bawdy Vertical Tasting at Pike BrewingSunday, Feb. 8th 2:00-6:00pm, $18/person ($15 with WABL passport)1415 First Avenue, call 812-6613 for reservations