Spec’sology Blog - Beer

It’s January so you’ve probably finished reading all the 2020 recaps and are beyond ready to move on and leave those 365 days as far behind as possible! We feel you. So, what’s new for beverages in the year 2021 you ask? Well, settle on down and get ready to have your happy hour future read by the experts. 2021 will see the continued rise of hard seltzers as more and more brands get in on the action with new and unique offerings. Online wine education courses skyrocketed during quarantine leading consumers to begin looking for diversity in their wines,

There’s nothing better than hot summer days and long summer nights, especially when you have the perfect summer beer keeping you refreshed while you sweat from dawn to dark! You could spend precious time searching for a new summer favorite, but we went ahead and put together a list of ours to ensure you don’t have to miss a moment of summer fun! Dogfish Head Slightly Mighty IPA Low-carb beer can be satisfying too! This refreshing 4%’er offers the aromatics of your favorite IPA wrapped up in a 95-calorie package with only 3.6 grams of carbs. Sixpoint Brewery Citrus Jammer

When it comes to Memorial Day celebrations, we tend to think of firing up the grill and throwing a couple of extra delicious M’s in front of Mmmemorial. And for good reason; Memorial Day is the 2nd most popular day to cook up some backyard BBQ in America! (the first being Independence Day) Grilling up hotdogs and hamburgers is an American tradition, but what you wash it down with can make all the difference in the world. The right beer can elevate subtle flavors while the wrong one can diminish all of the delicious highlights. That’s why we’ve decided to

Here we are in week 3 of Spec’s Sip & Stream pairing suggestions, and we’re still finding things to watch. It really is amazing how much entertainment is at our fingertips in this digital age of convenience! Anyway, let’s get to mixing up some deliciousness. Castle Rock • Hulu The Stephen King multiverse is the setting for this psychological horror series that takes place in Castle Rock, Maine, which is a location familiar to fans of King's work. An anonymous phone call lures death-row attorney Henry Deaver back to Castle Rock. He is unsettled by his hometown, but he returns

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

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

It’s still prime grilling season (outside of the occasional tropical depression) and that coupled with Oktoberfest means lots of flame-kissed meats! Whether you’re serving dogs in buns, sausage links or bigger cuts, a good mustard is something you should absolutely have at hand. So, is there a “better” mustard for certain things? What makes them different? It’s time to take a quick bite into this centuries old condiment. Mustard is a mix of mustard seeds and liquid that’s ground into a paste of various textures. The differences in mustards are the types of seeds (yellow, brown or black) and liquids

“When most people are introduced to the idea of “sour beer” they often assume something has gone wrong with the liquid. But, most of those same people are surprised and delighted with their first sip or a sour beer. The acidity comes across in a very citric, lemon way that, coupled with the carbonation and chill of the liquid, makes for a perfect hot weather thirst quencher.” The idea of beer as a flavor doesn’t usually shout a noticeable acidity, but historically most beer had a pronounced tartness shortly after the end of the brewing process. The world around us

This Fourth of July why not try something different to celebrate the independence of America? Instead of the typical red, white, and blue themed party or fighting traffic to get downtown and stand in a crowd staring up at the sky, what about getting out of your familiar surroundings and experiencing America the way our Founding Fathers did – in the wild and untamed nature?! Camping is a great way to get out and see America the beautiful in all its glory. Gathering around a campfire with your favorite pals can be the perfect vacation from the everyday hustle and

Ahh summertime, the season of getting out and getting down! Whether you’re heading to a pool party, a day by the lake, or throwing a bash at your place, odds are there’s going to be food – and not just any food, but fancy summer favorites. And while we typically think beer or wine when the grill is fired up, a refreshing cocktail may be just what you need to set your summer fun apart from the masses. From delightful pairings to grilled ingredients and frozen poptails, we’ve got you covered for summer fun like sunscreen at the beach! Limoncello

“One of my favorite times and places to drink a beer during the Summer is with friends and family at a barbecue. There is something comforting and classic about the smells and flavors of the grill alongside a crisp, cold and refreshing beer. Big name cold bubbles are sufficient enough grilling fuel, but a good helles is the better option!” What Is Helles? Helles is a pale golden lager centered on the subtle grainy sweetness of pilsner malt, accented by spicy, floral hop aromatics with a soft bitterness clean, smooth finish. Different from the hop-centric pilsner, helles is decidedly malt-focused,

Exploring American Red/Amber Ales When it comes to beer, everyone knows that familiar golden hue of the classic American lager. There’re also the coppery browns, and deep dark stouts that you see scattered around your local bar or in the house of your beer enthusiast friend’s house. But what you don’t see very often are red beers. What are they and why are they red? What Is A Red Ale? A red ale (or lager) is an American style beer brewed with a proportion of caramel and specialty malts to create depth of color and flavor. There is no hard