Reviews

Holiday Bordeaux 2019

Spec’sology Blog, Holidays, Wine, Wine Reviews
I tasted through a lot of Bordeaux in 2019. Not a disproportionately high amount, but Bordeaux has been on a fairly unprecedented run of quality vintages dating back to 2014, so there are a lot of great wines both currently available and coming soon to market (the 2017 and 2018 Bordeaux futures campaigns are still active).The most exciting aspect of tasting is stumbling across a wine that offers real value – a $20-$30 bottle that drinks like it should cost twice that – which surprisingly are... Read More

An insider guide to your next cider for November!

Beer, Beer Reviews, Entertain, Pairings
By Zach DehghanpoorAfter years of enjoying the hops-mania that’s been surging in the beer community, cider is coming in as a real game changer and palette cleanser. Gluten free, dry and sweet, and so, so easy to drink – the cider side of craft and local beer is what Apples to Apples is here to explore!   Ace Perry CiderFall is upon us! The time of hearty stew, thick scarfs, and pumpkin spice lattes. Enter Ace Perry Cider – a not-too-sweet, fruity pear cider that makes the fall weathe... Read More

An insider guide to your next cider for October!

Beer, Beer Reviews, Entertain, Pairings
By Zach DehghanpoorAfter years of enjoying the hops-mania that’s been surging in the beer community, cider is coming in as a real game changer and palette cleanser. Gluten free, dry and sweet, and so, so easy to drink – the cider side of craft and local beer is what Apples to Apples is here to explore!Saint Arnold Honey Agave CiderIn a crisis of taste recently, I sent a prayer to my favorite saint. Then out of nowhere appeared a divine gift of local Texas cider! Saint Arnold Honey Agave Cide... Read More

If You Mustard…

Spec’sology Blog, Beer, Beer Reviews, Pairings, Reviews
It’s still prime grilling season (outside of the occasional tropical depression) and that coupled with Oktoberfest means lots of flame-kissed meats! Whether you’re serving dogs in buns, sausage links or bigger cuts, a good mustard is something you should absolutely have at hand. So, is there a “better” mustard for certain things? What makes them different? It’s time to take a quick bite into this centuries old condiment.Mustard is a mix of mustard seeds and liquid that’s ground into ... Read More

An insider guide to your next cider for September!

Beer, Beer Reviews, Entertain, Pairings
By Zach DehghanpoorAfter years of enjoying the hops-mania that’s been surging in the beer community, cider is coming in as a real game changer and palette cleanser. Gluten free, dry and sweet, and so, so easy to drink – the cider side of craft and local beer is what Apples to Apples is here to explore!Rekorderlig Strawberry Lime Cider.Rekorderlig Strawberry Lime is a delicate cider; the fruit flavors are so bright and upfront it’s like you are drinking a freshly squeezed cup of juice! The ... Read More

Sour Power

Spec’sology Blog, Beer, Beer Reviews, Pairings, Reviews
“When most people are introduced to the idea of “sour beer” they often assume something has gone wrong with the liquid. But, most of those same people are surprised and delighted with their first sip or a sour beer. The acidity comes across in a very citric, lemon way that, coupled with the carbonation and chill of the liquid, makes for a perfect hot weather thirst quencher.”The idea of beer as a flavor doesn’t usually shout a noticeable acidity, but historically most beer had a pronou... Read More

An insider guide to your next cider for August!

Beer, Beer Reviews, Entertain, Pairings
By Zach DehghanpoorAfter years of enjoying the hops-mania that’s been surging in the beer community, cider is coming in as a real game changer and palette cleanser. Gluten free, dry and sweet, and so, so easy to drink – the cider side of craft and local beer is what Apples to Apples is here to explore!Woodchuck Sangria CiderBeing a man, you’re not really expected to enjoy certain things; Facials, Appletinis, Sangria… Well it’s 2019 and things are different! I introduce you to ... Read More

An insider guide to your next cider for July!

Beer, Beer Reviews, Entertain, Pairings
By Zach DehghanpoorAfter years of enjoying the hops-mania that’s been surging in the beer community, cider is coming in as a real game changer and palette cleanser. Gluten free, dry and sweet, and so, so easy to drink – the cider side of craft and local beer is what Apples to Apples is here to explore!With summer just getting started, what better way to quench your thirst in this hot sticky Texas heat than a nice, ice-cold glass of pink lemonade Cider! Houston Cider Co. is making some big st... Read More

An insider guide to your next cider for June!

Beer, Beer Reviews, Entertain, Pairings
By Zach DehghanpoorBishop Cider Company The Dark Cide Black Currant CiderBishop Cider Company,The Dark Cide Black Currant CiderAfter years of enjoying the hops-mania that’s been surging in the beer community, cider is coming in as a real game changer and palette cleanser. Gluten free, dry and sweet, and so, so easy to drink – the cider side of craft and local beer is what Apples to Apples is here to explore!Bishop Cider Company, the Dark Cide Black Currant CiderBursting with black currant fl... Read More

Oh my Michelada!

Beer, Bar Mixers, Beer Reviews, Entertain, Spec’sology Blog
“We’ve all experienced the lime and salt additions to a light lager, but how about a michelada? It’s traditionally a mix of beer, hot sauce, lime and salt that makes for a deliciously interesting thirst quencher. Finding your preferred balance of flavors along with your favorite base beer is part of the fun!”I’d like to start by saying that you can, and should, drink your beer however you enjoy it. People have been adding to and mixing in their beers for as long as the liquid has been ... Read More

An insider guide to your next cider!

Beer, Beer Reviews, Entertain, Pairings
By Zach DehghanpoorAustin Eastciders Rosé CiderAustin Eastciders Rose Dry CiderWhen I first tasted Austin Eastciders’ Rosé Cider, I was immediately brought back to being a 5-year-old with my Persian family, eating Faloodeh, a traditional dessert made with thin vermicelli noodles, and a syrup made from sugar and rose water. If you’ve ever eaten baklava and absolutely loved it, then I recommend this cider. Typically, when you think of rosé, your first instinct might be to expect actual ... 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 bre... Read More