Spec’sology Blog

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

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

Stay in Season at Spec’s! Perfect Pineapple Drinks

Drink Recipes, Spirits
Spring is sneaking up, and Spec’s is ready with everything you need to find a new spring beverage! Pineapples have just come into season, so here are a couple of recipes for luscious libations that’ll make your March! Bright, fresh herbs like basil and mint balance out the sweetness of the pineapple nicely. Pineapple Basil Cocktail 3 basil leaves, rolled and sliced into strips ¼ lime ¼ cup pineapple juice 1 ½ oz gin club soda ice Muddle basil and lime in the bottom of a highball glass... 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

Regal Rice: Special-Designation Sake

Spirits, Wine
Spec’s stocks some spectacular sake – and shows that there’s much more to this Japan-based beverage than an unusual bottle. We previously provided an intro to sake, but for further facts, here’s more on this delicious rice-based beverage. The process of sake production is simple. The rice is washed and steamed, then mixed with yeast and a mold known as “koji.” (See our introductory sake post for more on koji.)This mix is allowed to ferment while adding more rice, water, yeast, and ko... Read More

Pack a Punch! Perfect Punches for New Year’s Cheers!

Drink Recipes, Holidays, Spirits
New Year’s Night is nigh, and Spec’s is stoked to help you host! We’re fully stocked with all manner of merriment, from party trays to barware, and our experts are eager to assist you in perfecting your party plan. One low-key way to keep glasses raised is to make a punch your celebratory centerpiece. These historical bowlfuls may have a bad rep for soggy fruit and melted sherbet, but the recent interest in craft cocktails has led to the delicious rediscovery of punches for all occasions. ... 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