Spec’sology Blog

Lubbock Tastings April 16-21

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Taste some good stuff this month and HOP by the Lubbock store for our in-store samplings.   6816 Slide Road 4/20 – Shiner Brewery 4/20 – Black Feather Whiskey 4/20 – Dogfish Brewery 4/20 – Prairie Vodka and Gin 4/21 – Black Feather Whiskey 4/21 – Blk Eye Vodka 4/21 – Malibu Lager Beer

San Antonio Tastings April 16-21

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Taste some good stuff this week and HOP by these San Antonio area locations for our in-store samplings. LIVE OAK – 14623 IH 35 N 4/19 – Penasco Tequila 4/19 – Canadian Mist 4/19 – Dogfish Brewery 4/20 – Devil’s River Bourbon 4/20 – Fire Oak Vodka 4/20 – Western Son Vodka 4/20 – Black Feather Whiskey 4/20 – Deep Eddy Straight Vodka 4/20 – Fire Oak Vodka 4/20 – Malibu Lager Beer 4/20 – Prairie Vodka 4/20 – Talamonti Vi... 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

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

San Antonio Tastings April 9

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Taste some good stuff this week and HOP by these San Antonio area locations for our in-store samplings. LIVE OAK – 14623 IH 35 N 4/13 – Hacienda de Chihuahua 4/13 – Moosehead Brewery 4/13 – Shiner Bock Brewery 4/13 – Uno Por Favor Tequila 4/14 – Georgetown Wine 4/14 – Barossa Vineyard & Oyster Bay Vineyard 4/14 – Jameson Brewery 4/14 – Rebecca Creek Whiskey, Enchanted Rock Vodka and Texas Ranger Whiskey 4/14 – Western Son Vodka SA SUPE... Read More

San Antonio Tastings April 2 – 7

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Taste some good stuff this week and HOP by these San Antonio area locations for our in-store samplings.   LIVE OAK – 14623 IH 35 N 4/4 – Taste, Savor & Save : Candoni, Yalumba, Marchesi, Ca’Momi, Ca’Bolani, Bench, TX Hills & More! 4/6 – Altstadt Beer, John Drew Brands, Sugarlands Moonshine 4/7 – Abandonado Tequila, Barossa Wine, Western Son Vodka, Stolen Whiskey & Rum SA SUPERSTORE– 5219 De Zavala Road 4/4 – Sauvignon Blanc Wine Class : Momo, The N... Read More

Lubbock Tastings April

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Taste some good stuff this month and HOP by the Lubbock store for our in-store samplings.   6816 Slide Road 4/6 – Cupcake Wine 4/7 – Malibu Beer 4/20 – Shiner Beer, Dogfish Head Beer, Prairie Vodka & Gin 4/21 – Blk Eye Vodka, Malibu Beer
Wine Lingo

Basic Wine Lingo: Talk Like a Sommelier

Spec’sology Blog, Wine
Wine stewards and connoisseurs have their own unique vocabulary—which can often sound like spy code to the outsider. Not to worry! Here’s a glossary of the most commonly used wine terms. Brush up on these, and you’ll be able to rub elbows with the pros at your next tasting session or impress your dinner date. Wine Terms Glossary Acidity — the liveliness and crispness of wine, often stimulating your salivary glands Aeration — the addition of oxygen to round out and soften a wine App... Read More
Hill Country Wineries

10 Hill Country Wineries and Tasting Rooms

Spec’sology Blog, Wine
Hill Country Wineries make us proud to be a Texan. You can find some great ones scattered all across the region, from far north of San Antonio, to east of Lampasas. Most offer very informative tours throughout their scenic vineyards. But what really puts the icing on the cake, are the wine samples from their tasting rooms. Take a day trip to any one of the following Texas Hill Country wineries, and we guarantee you’ll feel that Texas pride swell in you with each sip of ‘cowboy cabernet’. T... Read More
National Chip and Dip Day

National Chip and Dip Day

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National Chip and Dip Day is officially observed on March 23, but if you’re like us, every day is national chip and dip day. We just call it chips and salsa, a true Texas staple! From tailgating to a day at the lake, dips like salsa, guacamole, queso, and hundreds more make awesome snacks. They’re easy to make and don’t require a lot of prep. Just grab a bag of chips and dig in! Nowadays, you’ll find all kinds of chips available at your local Spec’s from traditional tortilla chips, pot... Read More
St. Patrick's Day Drinks

St. Patrick’s Day Party Drinks

Spec’sology Blog, Drink Recipes
The pubs will be packed and the green beer will flow once again. It’s March 17, that one day of the year when ‘everyone’s Irish’—St. Patrick’s Day! But why contend with crowded elbow-to-elbow pubs when you can host a stellar St. Paddy’s Day party in the comfort of your own home? Everyone knows that Irish beer and whisky are staples on March 17th. Here’s a few of our recommendations: Must-Try’ Irish Beers: Murphy’s Irish Stout, O’Hara’s Irish Wheat, O’Hara’s Celtic Sto... Read More