Finer Foods

Summer Cocktail Pairings

Spec’sology Blog, Beer, Finer Foods, Spirits
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 cover... Read More

Memorial Day Beer Pairings for Grilled Burgers

Spec’sology Blog, Entertain, Finer Foods, Pairings
The delicious hamburger is an American staple invented by Fletcher Davis of Athens, Texas, in the 1880s. Of course, Fletcher’s claim is one of many in a long list of hamburger inventors, but he’s from Texas, so that’s what we’re going with. Regardless of where it may have been created, the reason for its staying power is rather simple – it’s delicious. But why? It’s just meat, bread, and cheese at its most basic, right? Well, there’s actually a scientific name for what makes them... Read More
spaghetti sauce and wine pairing

Perfect Pasta Pairings

Spec’sology Blog, Finer Foods, Pairings, Wine
Fun Fact: The word spaghetti is plural for the Italian word spaghetto, which is a diminutive of spago, meaning “thin string” or “twine.”The best part about spaghetti is the variety of pasta dishes you can make. With each dish there’s a different wine that pairs perfectly. Check out our recommendations below and get ready for some serious noodling on date night!Red or Tomato-based SaucesTomato-based sauces include fresh tomato with basil: pairs well with crisp dry whites such as Pinot G... Read More

Father’s Day Gifts

Spec’sology Blog, Entertain, Finer Foods, Gifts
The Ultimate Guide For PopsJust a friendly reminder that Father’s Day is Sunday, June 16th!So, once searching the Internet for “cool gifts for dad” fails, head over to Spec’s and reclaim your title of “Number 1 Kid!” Spec’s has thousands of world-class wines, rare spirits, hard to find beers, and a walk-in humidor featuring thousands of fine cigars!It’s the perfect place to shop for the man who thinks he has it all! You can even create the perfect pops-pleasing gift basket with a... 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 should ... Read More

Macarons and Wine: Sweet Pairing Tips

Entertain, Finer Foods, Pairings, Spec’sology Blog, Wine
As far as meringue-based sweets go, the macaron stands out as a triumph of culinary achievement. Not to be confused with the similarly spelled macaroon, a coconut-based cookie, the macaron is made with egg white, icing sugar, granulated sugar, almond powder, and food coloring. It’s typically presented as a sandwich cookie with a buttercream, jam, or ganache filling. Macarons are available in a variety of flavors. These light in weight, but heavy in sugar, cookies pair wonderfully with wine. Th... Read More

The Ultimate Mother’s Day Gift Guide

Spec’sology Blog, Cheese, Deli, Finer Foods, Gifts, Wine
If you aren’t sure if the old saying, “Mother knows best,” is true, then a quick trip to Spec’s will certainly solidify it as fact. Spec’s has aisles and aisles of mom’s favorites as well as accessories and gift baskets that’ll have her changing your name to Favorite. Below you’ll find a great little gift guide to show mom how much you care.SweetDelicious Lazzaroni Amaretti Cookies are a great way to tickle her sweet tooth.Lady Walton’s White Chocolate French Vanilla Cookies ar... 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 commercially available o... Read More
try our homemade crown royal maple pecan pies

Keep Your Eyes on the Pies

Spec’sology Blog, Finer Foods

After spending an hour or so devouring plate after plate of Thanksgiving dinner, there’s no physiological reason you should have room for dessert, but let’s be real – most of our stomachs contain a magical wormhole that leads to another stomach dimension where we apparently have plenty of room for dessert.

And it’s no wonder this secret portal exists, as no Thanksgiving meal is complete until we’ve dug into our second (or third) slice of pie. Pie is the universal Thanksgiving Day de... Read More

Bring The Heat! Hot Sauce/Salsa Tasting Party

Finer Foods

While the weather may not yet be at its hottest, why not turn up the heat with a hot sauce or salsa tasting party? Spec’s has a great selection of spicy and sweet spreads – plus all the cooling drinks any hot party needs!

To put together a comprehensive spread, start with the mild end of the spectrum  and build up the Scoville scale (the official measurement of the heat of chili peppers). Within this huge range, there’s room for some delicious variations with roasted, sweet, or otherwise... Read More

Sweet Talk: Dessert Wines

Finer Foods, Wine

Dessert wines are just what they sound like – wines with a sweet edge for after your meal. Dessert wines vary in style, and are available from all different parts of the globe.  Whether your post-dinner preference is sweet and light or heavy and honeyed, Spec’s divine dessert wines will provide excellent endings.

Port wines are an excellent option for an after-dinner treat. Our tawny or ruby ports can satisfy anyone with a sweet tooth. 10yr or 20yr aged ports in these styles offer toasted,... Read More