Beer

What the Helles?

Spec’sology Blog, Beer
THE TASTING I’ve done a handful of these style tastings and have had good results with this format. What I do is go to both the BJCP (Beer Judge Certification Program) and Brewer’s Association websites to get style guidelines. https://www.bjcp.org/docs/2015_Guidelines_Beer.pdf https://www.brewersassociation.org/resources/brewers-association-beer-style-guidelines/ These are the parameters that are used to judge amateur/homebrew (BJCP) and professional/commercial (Brewer’s Association) com... Read More
Game Day Pairings

Beer and Gourmet Food Pairings for the Big Game

Spec’sology Blog, Beer, Pairings
Cheering on your team during the big game works up quite the appetite—and thirst! But before you rally up your game day party guests, be sure you’re prepared. It’s not just about stocking the cooler with old brews and tossing some pretzels in a big bowl. You could easily up the wow factor of your football watch party by pairing the right types of beer with gourmet foods. We’ve collected a few pairings suggestions so you can take your party to the next level of deliciousness! Pale Ale and... Read More

We Need to Talk…2

Entertain, Beer, Beer Reviews
The holidays are a time for good food and drink, with great family and friends. I’m here to tell you that some of that “good drink” can (and should) be beer! There are countless beers produced around the world that deserve a place at any dinner table, in every glass all the time, but few carry the quality, consistency and prestige of the Trappist ales. Trappist ales are less of a style of beer, and more of a family viewed as the “cream of the crop” – so much so that non-Trappist brew... Read More

Oktoberfest: Story of a Party

Entertain, Beer, Beer Reviews
It might come as a surprise to many of you, but Oktoberfest didn’t start as a beer festival and it is celebrated more in September, than October, in Germany! Oktoberfest Origins The first “Oktoberfest” was a wedding reception for Prince Ludwig I, who married Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. The marriage took place on October 12th, 1810 and the citizens of Munich were invited to attend the festivities held outside the city gates. Despite copious amounts of beer being consumed, hor... Read More

Tropical Beers for Tropical Storms

Beer, Entertain, Spec’sology Blog
With Harvey, the Texas Gulf Coast’s first major tropical storm of the season, looming off the coast, we’ve started thinking about what beers we’d like to make sure and have in our fridge just in case things get rough, and the thought struck us… Why don’t we stock up on tropical beers for tropical storms?! Many of the hot, new hop varietals like Mosaic, Galaxy, Citra and Amarillo are prized for their bright, tropical fruit character. Their use in Pale Ales and IPAs have created a deluge... Read More

Taste More Texas! Keg-Only Texas Beers

Beer
Spec’s appreciates Texas brews, and strives to offer great beers in every possible form. In some cases, that means keg-only offerings. Although there’s been a recent, explosive growth of great Texas breweries, many of them do not have bottling equipment and a limited distribution radius. While individual bottles from these breweries may be missing from the Spec’s shelves, it’s easy to order them at the stores for special-occasion keg parties and kegerators. Draft-exclusive beers make an ... Read More

Local Beer, Global Impact!

Beer
Spec’s is proud to stock a huge selection of beers from from local breweries such as Live Oak, Austin Beer Works, and Real Ale! Whether you’re building your beer collection or picking up a keg for your football bash, locally brewed beers can bring new flavors to your table and add an extra level of planet-saving sustainability to your toast. How does Spec’s selection of local brews add green power to your pint? Locally brewed beer is a more environmentally friendly product from a transport... Read More