Spec’sology Blog

In order to celebrate National Lager Day, it helps to know what makes a beer a lager versus an ale. Not to blow your mind or anything, but all beers are either a lager or an ale and are made from a basic combination of water, malts, hops, and yeast. The difference is the type of yeast used and from this relatively small variant comes a whole slew of changes and differences that make these two beers very unique. Lagers - are made with bottom-fermenting yeast that work best at cooler temperatures, between 35° and 55° Fahrenheit. Fermentation happens more

While lighting the menorah, dreidel games, and gifts are the most known Hanukkah traditions, you might be in the mood to start your own this year and spice up the festivities. Pairing your dinners with a specific cocktail each night may just add the perfect touch to your family gatherings. Check out these Hanukkah inspired cocktails and incorporate a new tradition to your 8 nights of celebration. Try one each night or if you find one that thoroughly tickles your fancy, you’re free to enjoy it for all eight nights without feeling like a meshuggeneh! Shalom Ingredients 5 oz. Russian

‘Tis the season of ghouls, ghosts, and wicked parties to host! Halloween is the time of year when adults get to dress up and have just as much fun as the kids, but when throwing a party, it helps to stick to the adult side of things. A poorly planned Halloween party can end up with only half the guests wearing costumes, a paper skeleton taped to the wall, and a plastic jack-o’-lantern sitting by a bowl of chips. This is not what you want to do. This is not what your guests want to attend. This is a big

¡Viva Tequila! This spirit is arguably the friskiest of them all, and it’s not just for sipping or for mixing into cocktails with lime and sugar. Try one of these 4 tequila-based food recipes and it’ll change the way you look at the agave-based spirit! Tequila Lime Chicken Tacos Tequila, lime and chicken are all just a natural fit for one another. Try this mouthwatering taco recipe! Ingredients ½ cup tequila Juice from 4 limes, freshly squeezed 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 jalapeños: 1 finely chopped and 1 sliced, divided Ground black pepper Kosher salt 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken

There may be a small red mark from lightly banging my forehead against the desk. That’s what happens when you have to choose the best among so many awesome choices! It was really hard to pick the top 5 Texas vodkas because the state of Texas has produced some truly outstanding ones over the years! Eventually, we managed to settle on several that seemed to shine above the rest. Here are our top 5 picks for the best Texas vodka brands available on the market today! 1. 1835 Texas Lone Star Vodka Clean, smooth, crisp and highly mixable—everything great vodka

The Spec’s family believes that helping others is life-changing. We appreciate how important it is to give what we can to alleviate the pains of those who suffer, whether it’s physical, financial, or emotional. That’s why we’ve been promoting various charities around Texas through our stores and asking you, our loyal customers, to help us raise much needed funds to advance these causes. Heroes For Children Last month, Spec’s focused on Heroes for Children, a Dallas organization that reaches across the state to families who have a child affected by cancer. Their founders lost both children to leukemia and have

Although vodka is traditionally drank chilled and neat, many of us think of it as the go-to spirit when it comes to making cocktails. It can be used in many varieties and has been for years! We encourage you to make your own vodka concoction from one of these recipes. We’ve included some classic vodka cocktails, and a few with modern twists. Enjoy! Salty Dog The Salty Dog is a nice, crisp drink to enjoy on a hot summer’s day. To make it, rub the rim of a glass with a freshly cut piece of lime or a wedge of

Whether you shoot it, sip it, or mix it up in a margarita—we've got some of the best Texas tequila brands for you! Tequila is one of the most popular liquors here in Texas and for good reason. Texans love all the tequila that we can find from our neighboring country south of the border. In fact, Texans and tequila have a long history. Today we have a collection of some of our favorite Texas tequila brands that give even Mexico’s finest a run for its money. Explore and enjoy these Texas Tequila brands we love. 4 Best Texas Tequilas

Hear ye, hear ye! Make way for the Crown. Crown Royal is more than a whisky with a regal name. In fact, the brand got its name because it was created to honor King George VI and Queen Elizabeth’s first trip to Canada. As the top-selling Canadian whisky in the world, it’s no wonder that in North America many believe that Crown Royal does, indeed, wear the crown of whiskies. The most preferred method to drink Crown Royal is neat or on the rocks. However, when you’re pleasing a variety of party guests you’ll want a crowd pleaser that goes

Everyone has a favorite party guest; somebody with a friendly, and approachable attitude, who can get along with anybody—no matter the circumstance or setting. In the wine world—Pinot Noir is that gregarious buddy. Pinot Noir is one of the most versatile and food-friendly red wines. The rich flavor profile of strawberry, cherry and raspberry with warm and spicy undertones create a mouthwatering mix that complements a wide variety of dishes. In honor of #PinotNoirDay, explore the best pinot noir and food pairings that you can use to enjoy on your own, or to give your party an upgrade that will

August 16th marks National Rum Day! So get ready to prop your leg up on a stool like Captain Morgan himself—and raise a glass to the third most popular spirit in the U.S. We’re going to help you celebrate #NationalRumDay by covering a few very easy to make rum cocktails. First, let’s talk a little bit about rum’s fascinating beginnings. After all, we wouldn’t be celebrating National Rum Day if we didn’t learn a little bit about the spirit. A Brief History of Rum: How Caribbean Trash Was Turned to Treasure Rum is a distilled spirit developed from sugarcane byproducts

Looking for the perfect cheesecake wine pairing? We bring you a selection of the best wines to drink with cheesecake, no matter the topping. Plain Cheesecake Wine Pairing You’ll want something more subdued. Go with a sweet Riesling, or a late harvest Sauvignon Blanc. Honey Cheesecake Wine Pairing For a honey cheesecake, try a wine that has a touch of sweetness and plenty of acidity; Try a Moscato, or a dry Rosé. Our pick to pair with this Cheesecake is the Harvest Acres Sweet Gold Moscato. Its flavors of honeysuckle, sweet Georgia peach, melon and orange blossom make for a