beer

summer ales and wheat beers

Craft Summer Ales and Wheat Beers to Try this Summer

Spec’sology Blog, Beer
When temperatures soar and the sun beats down, nothing quite satisfies like an ice-cold beer perfectly suited for the season. Summer beer represents more than just any cold beverage – it’s a carefully crafted category of brews designed specifically for hot weather refreshment, outdoor gatherings, and extended drinking sessions under the blazing sun. The magic of summer beer lies in its unique characteristics that distinguish it from heavier, darker brews better suited for cooler months. T... Read More
local ingredients for texas brewery and distillery

From Grain to Glass – How Texas Breweries & Distilleries Source Local Ingredients

Spec’sology Blog, Beer, Spirits
Estimated Reading Time: 8 Minutes The craft beverage industry in Texas is flourishing, with local breweries and distilleries utilizing the state’s abundant agricultural resources. Through collaborations with local farmers and the use of traditional methods, these producers are crafting exceptional beers and spirits using homegrown ingredients. On the blog today, we’ll dive into the advantages and techniques of incorporating locally sourced ingredients into Texas-made craft beverages. ... Read More
how to make green beer and green seltzers

How To Make Green Beer & Seltzers

Entertain
Estimated Reading Time: 6 Minutes Green beer and seltzers have become an iconic way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. While green beer is the more traditional drink for this holiday, green seltzers are a fun, modern twist for those who prefer a lighter, bubbly option. Whether you’re a beer lover or a seltzer fan, this guide will teach you how to make these vibrant drinks at home. Where Did Green Beer Start? Green beer has been a staple of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations for over ... Read More
how to read beer label

Understanding Beer Labels: Decoding ABV, IBU, and Other Key Terms 

Spec’sology Blog, Beer
Estimated Reading Time: 6 Minutes How Does One Read A Beer Label? So you’re interested in Meadophily or the study of beer bottle labels. Now sure, we could spend the whole blog talking about beer label design and with there being over 8,000 breweries in the United States alone, it’s more crucial than ever for a beer to have a cool looking label so it can stand out in the crowd. But we’re not. Instead, we are interested in what they say and the meaning of them. So join us in a... Read More
Best Oktoberfest Beers

Best Oktoberfest Beer

Spec’sology Blog, Beer
Every year, millions of people from around the world gather in Munich, Germany, to celebrate the beloved Oktoberfest. This grand festival, steeped in history and tradition, is a vibrant celebration of German beer & culture. In today’s blog, we’ll explore the history of Oktoberfest, explore what makes it such a beloved event, and raise our glasses to the German beer that flows freely during this remarkable time of year. A Toast to History – What is Oktoberfest? Oktoberfest... Read More
Picture of Gluten Free Beer

Best Gluten-Free Beers – The Spec’s 2023 Insider

Spec’sology Blog, Beer
Gluten-Free Beers Giving up gluten used to mean missing out on tasty new craft beers and having to settle for unpleasant knockoffs of the real thing. Now, however brewers have it dialed in and are ramping up efforts to put out some truly good beers. Good enough that you wouldn’t know they were gluten-free unless you read the bottle! But first, for those wondering why gluten-free beer is even a thing, let’s answer a few common questions before getting to the recommendations! What is ... Read More
Top 7 German Beers for Oktoberfest - Spec's

Top 7 German Beers For Oktoberfest

Spec’sology Blog, Beer
We all know what Oktoberfest is and which country it takes place in, but what are the best German Oktoberfest beers? And do we know why it even occurs in the first place? Sure, Germany makes some world-class beers, but which ones are the best to celebrate with? And what is the reason for the season? Turns out, this beer bash was born out of another party; a wedding party to be precise. Back in 1810, the crown prince of Bavaria, who later became King Louis I, opted to turn the traditionally s... Read More
Top Ten Texas Beers - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Top Ten Texas Beers

Spec’sology Blog, Beer
If you’re drinking local Texas beers, make sure you’re doing it right! Check out our list of the ten most popular Texas brews, and get ready to add a top shelf to your beer fridge! If your near our Smith Street liquor store in Houston, be sure to check out these great Texas beers. Lone Pine Yellow Rose Rated #1 Texas Brewed IPA, on both BeerAdvocate.com and RateBeer.com, I believe. A SMASH IPA (single malt, single hop), Yellow Rose is as nice to look at as it is to drink. ... Read More
Oktoberfest: Top 5 German Beers - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Oktoberfest – Top 5 German Beers

Spec’sology Blog, Beer

We all know what Oktoberfest is and which country it takes place in, but do we know why it even occurs in the first place? Sure, Germany makes some world-class beers, but is that the reason for the season? Turns out, this beer bash was born out of another party; a wedding party to be precise.
Back in 1810, the crown prince of Bavaria, who later became King Louis I, opted to turn the traditionally stuffy, private, nobles-only wedding celebration into a massive public festival complete with a huge... Read More

Pool Friendly Drinks For Summer - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Pool Friendly Drinks For Summer

Spec’sology Blog, Beer, Entertain, Seltzers

Whether it’s a pool, river, lake, or the beach, water and a Texas summer just go hand in hand. But no matter how hot you get; glass bottles are a big no-no when it comes to keeping you cool in the water. With that in mind, we’ve put together a list of delicious refreshments that’ll keep your summer wet and wild without the hazards of glass.
Not only are these all glass-free, but all the beers are lower in alcohol so you can get the most out of your time in the water! We even threw in some ... Read More

American Craft Beer Week - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Top Texas Craft Beers

Spec’sology Blog, Beer

American’s love for craft beers has continued its meteoric rise for good reason – they’re great beers! From the robust porters aged in bourbon barrels to the salty gose and unique sours, to all kinds of IPAs, and whatever else they think up. We just can’t seem to get enough of them!
So, in honor of American Craft Beer Week, we’re listing some of our Texas favorites to help you narrow down your choices because if American craft beer has given us anything, it’s an almost overwhelming n... Read More

Best Spring Beers - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Best Springs Beers

Spec’sology Blog, Beer

It’s officially springtime! And more importantly, winter is done trapping us inside! We are also moving away from winter’s dark, thick beers that kept us full and warm during the cold season. Lighter spring beers are here to refresh your hibernating palate! Check out our list of spring beers to enjoy starting ASAP!
Best Spring Beers
Sierra Nevada Hazy Little Thing
Sierra Nevada chills their fermenters at slightly higher temperatures than normal so the haze doesn’t fade, then they skip the ... Read More