Spec’sology Blog

It’s officially springtime! And more importantly, winter is done ruining our outdoor fun! Also done are winter’s dark, thick beers that kept us full and warm during the cold season. Which means lighter spring beers are here to refresh your hibernating palate with gusto! Check out our list of spring beers to enjoy starting ASAP! Sierra Nevada Orta Vez Infused with the classic flavors of lime and blue agave nectar, this tart gose-style beer is light and refreshing. The bright lime flavor helps wake up the palate while the mild sweetness of the agave rounds out the tangy zip of

If mulled wine reminds you of Christmas in Europe, you’ve probably been to Europe during the holidays. Mulled wine has become an integral part of the winter holidays in the majority of European countries, each with their own unique take on the hot beverage. Mulled wine made its first appearance during the 2nd century at the hands of the Romans who would heat wine to protect their bodies against the cold winter. As they traveled and conquered much of Europe, their love of mulled wine spread with them across their empire. The current resurgence came in the 1890’s when wine

Mardi Gras is all about overindulgence, in fact, the name itself is French for Fat Tuesday. It takes place the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday and is a celebration of all the rich food and drinking excessiveness before the leaner days of Lent begin. The most famous Mardi Gras celebration in America takes place in New Orleans, home to some of the richest food and abundance of alcohol in the U.S. While not everyone has access to the plethora of bars found in New Orleans, you can still have a collection of Mardi Gras themed cocktails at your party! Check out

All hail the versatile margarita! Versatile you ask? Why yes indeed, the margarita has become one of the most flexible beverages around due to the ease with which one can change the flavor profile with a simple shift of ingredients. And what better day to celebrate this compliant cocktail than on National Margarita Day!? We’ve gone ahead and broken the various kinds of margaritas down into four categories so you can find the perfect recipe for your ‘rita requirements. The classic margarita, the one that started it all, is a simple three ingredient cocktail. It’s all about balance and, of

With the rise of craft breweries across America, consumers have become more adventurous and no longer demand the exact same beer 365 days a year. Now when they shop, they’re much more interested in finding something new and different rather than more of the same. This has led to the wonderful variety of seasonal beers. What Are Seasonal Beers? A seasonal beer is typically brewed during or for a particular season, holiday, or festival. They typically incorporate fresh ingredients available during different seasons. Sometimes they’re even created to pair with the weather. Spring trends toward slightly sweeter beers, summer works

Galentine's Day, a celebration of female friendship, first entered pop culture through the popular TV show Parks and Recreation. In a 2010 episode, the character Leslie Knope, played by Amy Poehler, introduced the concept as a pre-Valentine's Day brunch where women come together to celebrate their friendships. She described it as “ladies celebrating ladies,” complete with waffles, heartfelt gifts, and lots of love. While originally fictional, Galentine's Day quickly resonated with audiences and took on a life of its own. Arriving the day before Valentine’s Day, Galentine’s Day is a day to celebrate the love you have for your lady

Your significant other isn’t the only thing that can sweep you off your feet this Valentine’s Day! Chocolate and wine have been having a discreet love affair for centuries and we think you should get in on the action. If paired correctly, chocolate and wine can be the ultimate power couple. Check out our pairing list and get ready to indulge! Chocolate & Sea Salt + Verdejo White wine goes wonderfully with salty foods and the combination of this Spanish Verdejo with a sea salt milk chocolate will unlock a wonderful new world of flavors. Cherry Cordials + Tempranillo The

Relaxing with a whiskey by the fire doesn’t have to mean sipping on a sniffer-full of scotch. We’ve put together a collection of fireside-appropriate whiskey cocktails that’ll have you pulling your recliner closer to the hearth and indulging in the delights of a cozy whiskey cocktail. Hot Toddy Ingredients 2 oz. whiskey4 oz. hot water, to top½ oz. lemon juice1 tbsp. honeyCinnamon stick, for garnish (optional)Ground nutmeg, for garnish (optional)Ground cloves, for garnish (optional)Star anise, for garnish (optional)Lemon peel, for garnish (optional) Directions Add whiskey, honey and lemon juice to a mug and stir to combine.Top with hot water, and

In case you’re wondering why all your friends are refusing to attend your National Hedgehog Day Party on February 2nd, it’s because the Big Game happens to be on that very same Sunday. *If you aren’t a big sports fan, the Big Game refers to the annual championship football game of the National Football League that pits the winner of the AFC against the winner of the NFC. And because you’ll spend all day in a state of perpetual curiosity; AFC stands for the American Football Conference and NFC stands for the National Football Conference. The game was born out

It’s National Cheese Day and that means it’s time to slice, melt, spread, and crumble your way to mouthwatering nirvana. We’ve put together a list of 6 of our favorite cheeses to help you do just that! Why Is Cheese So Good? First, we wanted to know what makes cheese so addictively delicious, and it turns out there’s a reason behind our cheesy cravings. Cheese contains casein and casein fragments called casomorphins, which is a casein-derived morphine-like compound. So basically, dairy protein has opiate molecules built in and when consumed, these fragments attach to the same brain receptors that prescription

It’s National Appreciate a Dragon Day! Yes, it’s a thing. So, whether you’re a fan of Puff, Smaug, or Drogon, January 16th is the day to raise a glass to your favorite mythological creature. And to make this list of dragon-inspired cocktails even more interesting, we’ve got some classic dragon movies you should checkout as well! Dragon Films The NeverEnding Story (1984) Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah (1991) DragonHeart (1996) Reign of Fire (2002) How to Train Your Dragon (2010) The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013) Now that you’ve got your dragon movie all picked out, you need a proper

When it comes to cold weather drinking, folks usually think of hot beverages spiked with alcohol. When it comes to winter, however, it is wine’s time to shine. Unless you’re struggling to survive in a desolate tundra, a hot beverage may not be the best route for enjoying the evening. Curled up by a roaring fire, the last thing one might want is a hot drink that matches the heat pouring out of the hearth. When’s the last time you opted for a hot coco in the middle of summer? Wine, on the other hand, is the perfect complement to