Spec’sology Blog

Estimated Reading Time: 6 Minutes How Does One Read A Beer Label? So you’re interested in Meadophily or the study of beer bottle labels. Now sure, we could spend the whole blog talking about beer label design and with there being over 8,000 breweries in the United States alone, it's more crucial than ever for a beer to have a cool looking label so it can stand out in the crowd. But we're not. Instead, we are interested in what they say and the meaning of them. So join us in a little Meadophily 101 and learn how to read

Estimated Reading Time: 8 Minutes How Does One Read A Bottle Of Wine? Imagine you're walking down the aisles of a store (Spec’s) that has one of the largest selections of wine in Texas. While this is a fun task, it can also be overwhelming. Especially if you aren't an expert sommelier, or wine steward. But fret not, in this blog we are going to uncork the secret of wine labels so you can find the perfect bottle for any occasion and make you a better wine consumer. So pour yourself a glass of whatever wine you have handy and

What are the Best Spooky Spirits and Halloween Liquors? Halloween is coming in all its spooky scary splendor. But there’s no need to be afraid, because we’ve got just what you need. Spooky Spirits and Halloween Liquors. We’ve searched and searched for the best ones and we’ve found them. So let’s get ready for spooky season and check out these spirits. Crystal Head Vodka Halloween and skulls go together like peanut butter and jelly. So you know we were going to recommend Crystal Head Vodka and its iconic skull bottle. In fact, the Crystal Head bottle was designed with the

WHO’S READY FOR A SPOOKY GOOD TIME THIS HALLOWEEN? We are! And after this spine-tingling collection of Halloween cocktails, you will be too. Check them out! WITCH’S BREW SHOTS Looking for the perfect potion as the witching hour draws near? Then go with Witch’s Brew, my dears! Ingredients 2 oz of Empress Gin 3 oz of Soda Water ½ oz of Simple Syrup 2 oz Lemon Juice ½ oz of Blue Curacao Pearl Luster Dust Fresh Rosemary Directions Add ice, luster dust, Empress Gin, soda water, and lemon juice to glass. Stir to combine. Slowly top layer with blue curaçao.

ABOUT SPEC’S CHARITIES OF THE MONTH Each month, Spec’s highlights a nonprofit whose mission is near and dear to our hearts. You might have seen some of our posts on social media or displays in our stores highlighting them. It’s because of your support we were able to raise over one million dollars last year for our charities, and we’re on pace to raise even more this year! If you’d like to donate to Spec’s Charity of the Month, you can do so at the register of your local Spec’s. ABOUT SPEC’S CHARITABLE FOUNDATION The Spec's Charitable Foundation is dedicated

Potato Vodka? Ah, the mighty potato! The starchy root vegetable behind such delicious delicacies as fries, chips, mashed potatoes, curly fries, hash browns, latkes, shepherd's pie. We could go on and on. But vodka? That’s not one of the first things on our minds when we think about this staple food. We usually see vodka being made with grains such as wheat, rye, or barley. It’s because of these grains that we get the neutral flavor and smooth flavor we are familiar with in vodka. However, over the years, we’ve been trying potato vodka and love it! SHOP THE PRODUCTS

How to Savor Every Sip Bourbon. The American Heartland in a glass. A spirit like no other that carries with it a legacy steeped in unparalleled craftsmanship. The best way to enjoy bourbon is, of course, to savor every sip. Discover the rich tapestry of flavors and aromas it has. And while this may seem like a daunting task, we assure you it’s not. You just have to be ready to learn and take the journey. Let’s Begin Your Tasting Journey To start to learn the art of bourbon tasting, you’ll obviously need bourbon. Now, you may already know your

Ready for the Unique World of Flavored Whiskeys? Like their name suggests, flavored whiskey is a type of whiskey that has been infused or blended with natural or artificial flavors. Contrary to what some 'serious' whiskey drinkers might tell you, flavored whiskeys are indeed making a big splash in the community. It all started when the big names like Wild Turkey and Jack Daniels added honey into their drinks to make them sweeter. Then others joined in and now, we're in a flavored-whiskey boom! But how do distillers create a flavored whiskey? Glad you asked! To create flavored whiskey, one

Are You For Real? Alcoholic Popsicles are a Thing? Of course we’re for real. Popsicles with alcohol in them are totally a thing! And since it’s summer, the unofficial official season of popsicles, we wanted to share some recipes we have for these sweet treats. Feel Like Having a Margarita Pop? Everyone loves a frozen margarita. So it’s only natural that some turned them into popsicles. Try these for your next summer get together. All your guests will thank you! Ingredients 1 ¼ Cup of Fresh Lime Juice 14 oz. of Sweetened Condensed Milk 1 Cup of Water ¼ Cup

What Are Natural Wines Last year, we wrote a blog about organic wines. While it’s easy for one to think that organic wines and natural wines are the same, there are differences and this blog is for you. This blog is also for those of you who think all wines are natural wines because they come from grapes and grapes are found in nature. So what are natural wines? While the term "natural wine" is not regulated by a specific set of rules or guidelines, it's a commonly accepted definition that natural wine is wine made with minimal intervention both

What is Sake? There’s many reasons to love Japan. The people. The delicious food. The astounding efficiency. The anime and manga. The kaijus who destroy giant buildings. But what we at Spec’s love the most about Japan is the sake. For those who haven’t experienced this unique drink, sake is a Japanese alcoholic beverage made from fermenting rice. It's characterized by its pale yellow or green color, mildly sweet flavor, high alcohol content (most have about 19% ABV), and rich history that has made it the national beverage of Japan. How Is Sake Made? Like we’ve stated earlier, sake is

Is Texas Known for Alcohol? When you think of alcohol. Texas isn’t usually the first state that pops in your mind. Kentucky has its whiskey and bourbons. California has all its vineyards and wines. New York has its cider. But Texas? We’re more known for the beef that pairs with the beverage, not the drink itself. Well not anymore. Over the years, Texas has been gaining ground and slowly establishing itself as a state known for not just alcohol, but great alcohol. So Why Texas? So why has Texas decided to be a part of the world of alcohol? Well,