Spec’sology Blog

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

Top Picks For American Whisky Month

Spec’sology Blog, Spirits
Whiskey is made all over the US and there are more and more distilleries popping up all of the time. We’ve put together a list of 6 American whiskeys that are worth taking a break from your usual. But first, let’s go into some detail about whiskey and bourbon. All bourbon is whiskey is but not all whiskey is bourbon. The folks over at Jim Beam say, “Bourbon is kinda like whiskey’s ‘sweet spot’ … because corn is a sweet grain. The more corn, the sweeter the whiskey. ... 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

National Rum Day

Drink Recipes, Spec’sology Blog
A hot Texas summer is the perfect time to pump the brakes and get out of the fast lane, and there’s no better reason to do so than National Rum Day. It’s time to raise a chilled glass of a pirate’s favorite pastime and kick back with a delicious rum drink. This year, why not stray from the herd and mix up something a little different. Rum’s versatile flavors allow it to be mixed into just about anything you want. Check out some of these rum recipes that’ll keep your cocktail umbrella i... Read More

Hazed and Perceived

Entertain, Spec’sology Blog
For much of its history in American craft beer, the IPA has been a golden, or amber, beer with good clarity; meaning you can see straight through the glass. For any of you unaware, a movement has been under way for a handful of years now of IPAs that look like something other than what we’ve come to expect an IPA to look like. This movement, coming out of the Northeast, is towards IPAs that look cloudy like a hefeweizen (German wheat beer), resembling a glass of orange juice. Many articles hav... Read More

Happy Bastille Day!

Events, Spec’sology Blog, Wine
Bonne la Fête Nationale! Just like the United States has Independence Day, France has Bastille Day on July 14th. The date marks the beginning of Republican Democracy and the end of the tyrannical rule back in 1790. And to celebrate, we have the Liberation de Paris Wines! Make sure to HOP in to pick up a bottle to celebrate. Liberation de Paris Rosé $9.99 Liberation de Paris Pinot Noir $9.99 Liberation de Paris Bordeaux $11.99 Liberation de Paris Cotes du Rhone $11.99 Liberation de Paris ... Read More

what’s the HAZE about?

Entertain, Beer Reviews, Spec’sology Blog
With the introduction of the pilsner hundreds of years ago, the look of a beer became a point of focus for drinkers. At the time, it was an interest in having brilliantly clear, golden beers like liquid sunshine. In recent years, starting in the American Northeast, a move towards cloudy beers, resembling orange or grapefruit juice, has begun. These “hazy” IPAs are prized for their bright, juicy hop-derived fruit flavors, restrained bitterness and softer mouthfeel. Texas being much further so... Read More

6 Cognac and Food Pairings

Pairings, Spec’sology Blog, Spirits
Who is cognac? Cognac is that person you go on a date with who whispers, “I’m not like all the others, you know—I’m complex.” Intriguing. Bold. And yes. Very complicated in taste. Many think Cognac is difficult to pair with most foods—that she demands to be savored all by herself, with our palate’s full and undivided attention. But there’s a side to cognac you haven’t seen yet. A friendlier side. Cognac, with her balance of fruit and acidity is much easier to pair with foods t... Read More

6 March Madness Party Ideas

Entertain
March Madness is here! Which means a several week long celebration of bet placing, team cheering, and of course, March Madness party hosting. If you really want to host a March Madness party that’ll break some brackets, try these 6 March Madness party ideas for an epic basketball banquet. And hop on over to your nearest Spec’s for more tips from our expert party artisans! 1. Decorate with themed colors. Having party guests that root for rival teams can be tricky. So how do you tackle the dec... Read More

2014 (Mostly) Cru Classé Bordeaux Tasting

Entertain, Events, Spec’sology Blog, Wine

On Wednesday, January 18, 2017 from 4:30 to 8:30pm, Spec’s will host over 30 Bordeaux Chateau owners, directors, and/or winemakers presenting 59 mostly Cru Classé Bordeaux wines all from the fine 2014 vintage in a standup- and-walk-around tasting format. This is our fifth time to host such a delegation from Bordeaux and each of the previous events have been smashing successes. By appellation, they include …

Pomerol: Chx. Clinet, Gazin, Croix St. Georges, and La Pointe (along with 2nd... Read More

Cheers to Bear Dalton’s Green Sangria!

Drink Recipes, Wine

Congratulations to Bear Dalton on his recent win for judges and peoples choice recipe at the 2016 Women of Wine Sangria Showdown! Want to celebrate with him? Well he happened to share his recipe…
GREEN SANGRIA

Ingredients:

Dow’s White Port
Minute Maid Lemonade
Schweppes Tonic
Lime Juice
Basil
Cilantro
Green Seedless Grapes, frozen
Red Seedless Grapes, frozen
Cantaloupe, cubed, lightly salted &  frozen

Directions
Chop approximately 2/3 cup of fresh basil
Chop approximately 2/3 cu... Read More

Rocket's Red Glare Recipe

Rocket’s Red Glare Recipe

Entertain

The perfect drink to sip while you enjoy the fireworks, it’s a refreshing take on the Moscow Mule with a watermelon twist! Get more delicious recipes from our Cocktail Insider page!

Ingredients
1 1/2 oz vodka
2 oz watermelon juice
1/2 oz lime juice
Splash of ginger beer
Lime wedge garnish

Preparation
Add vodka, watermelon juice, and lime juice to a glass filled with ice and stir. Top off with ginger beer and garnish with lime wedge.