Beer

Ooh, Grill!…

Entertain, Beer, Spec’sology Blog
“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 ... Read More

Caught Red-Handed

Spec’sology Blog, Beer
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... Read More

Michelada

Beer, Entertain, Finer Foods, Pairings
“Now that we’ve got a solid base recipe to play with, why stop? There are a number of things you can add on your favorite michelada to put it over the top!” If you’re still reading after the first Michelada post (https://specsonline.com/blog/beer/beer-snacks-belgian-strong-golden-2/), it’s safe to say you’re open to adding a little more than extra to your beer. Well, in the spirit of not “leaving well enough alone”, we’re not stopping at a good “basic” michelada. Why sho... Read More

An insider guide to your next cider for June!

Beer, Beer Reviews, Entertain, Pairings
By Zach Dehghanpoor Bishop Cider Company The Dark Cide Black Currant Cider Bishop Cider Company,The Dark Cide Black Currant Cider After years of enjoying the hops-mania that’s been surging in the beer community, cider is coming in as a real game changer and palette cleanser. Gluten free, dry and sweet, and so, so easy to drink – the cider side of craft and local beer is what Apples to Apples is here to explore! Bishop Cider Company, the Dark Cide Black Currant Cider Bursting w... Read More

Oh my Michelada!

Beer, Bar Mixers, Beer Reviews, Entertain, Spec’sology Blog
“We’ve all experienced the lime and salt additions to a light lager, but how about a michelada? It’s traditionally a mix of beer, hot sauce, lime and salt that makes for a deliciously interesting thirst quencher. Finding your preferred balance of flavors along with your favorite base beer is part of the fun!” I’d like to start by saying that you can, and should, drink your beer however you enjoy it. People have been adding to and mixing in their beers for as long as the liquid has b... Read More

An insider guide to your next cider!

Beer, Beer Reviews, Entertain, Pairings
By Zach Dehghanpoor Austin Eastciders Rosé Cider Austin Eastciders Rose Dry Cider When I first tasted Austin Eastciders’ Rosé Cider, I was immediately brought back to being a 5-year-old with my Persian family, eating Faloodeh, a traditional dessert made with thin vermicelli noodles, and a syrup made from sugar and rose water. If you’ve ever eaten baklava and absolutely loved it, then I recommend this cider. Typically, when you think of rosé, your first instinct might be t... Read More

Belgian Strong Golden

Beer, Entertain, Pairings
“The Belgian family of strong golden styles is an absolute favorite of mine to share with friends, especially at dinner. Most are light and crisp with a champagne-like effervescence that plays beautifully alongside just about any dish with lighter flavors. This time of year, with our proximity to the Gulf, I especially enjoy this style with fish” – Joey Williams Pairing beer and food is still something very novel to many people, but if you take the approach of pairing flavors, drink... Read More

Beer Snacks: Kalahari Biltong

Entertain, Beer, Deli, Finer Foods, Spec’sology Blog
Click here to view product. Kalahari Biltong “Kalahari Biltong is an honest, simple product that shows, like well executed beer, what great ingredients, good processes and an attention to detail can produce. It pairs with just about any beer style and friends. We enjoyed it with blonde and amber lagers, especially a well-brewed Pilsner.” The craft beer movement was started almost 4 decades ago by people who had experienced good beer abroad and came home to find nothing commerci... Read More
best low calorie beers

Low Calorie Beers

Spec’sology Blog, Beer
Estimated Reading Time: 3 Minutes In a world where wellness and indulgence increasingly intersect, many beer aficionados are seeking lighter alternatives that won’t compromise flavor or enjoyment. Enter the realm of low-calorie beers, where brewers are crafting delicious brews with fewer calories, allowing you to savor the taste without sacrificing your health goals. In today’s blog, let’s take a closer look at five standout options available at Spec’s that are winning over beer e... Read More
Best winter lagers

Best Winter Lagers to Celebrate National Lager Day

Spec’sology Blog, Beer

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 t... Read More

best summer beers of 2018

The 10 Best Summer Beers of 2018

Spec’sology Blog, Beer

Nothing’s worse than a boring beer cooler. Spice up your summer sipping with a little variety. It’s the “spice of life” after all. Here’s a collection of some of the best beers that Spec’s has to offer right now. Some of them you may have heard of, while others have oddball names that give most people a ‘confused puppy-look’ when they hear their names. (But that’s par for the course in the world of craft beer.) Rest assured, these beer picks are superb.
Buffalo Bayou • Summe... Read More

What the Helles?– THE TASTING

Beer, Spec’sology Blog

Who’s not a fan of “cold bubbles”? You know, the kind of beer that’s just beer flavored. Not every liquid that touches my lips or tickles my fancy has to be thought provoking, or even memorable, but it does have to be enjoyable! That’s where the Munich Helles, a light, crisp, pale golden German style of lager beer, comes in handy. So let’s take a little dive into what the Helles going on.

Right off the bat, Helles (pronounced something like “Hell-ess”) is German for “bright,... Read More