beer

New Wines, Spirits & Beers for 2021

Spec’sology Blog, Beer, Spirits, Wine
It’s January so you’ve probably finished reading all the 2020 recaps and are beyond ready to move on and leave those 365 days as far behind as possible! We feel you. So, what’s new for beverages in the year 2021 you ask? Well, settle on down and get ready to have your happy hour future read by the experts. 2021 will see the continued rise of hard seltzers as more and more brands get in on the action with new and unique offerings. Online wine education courses skyrocketed during quarantine ... Read More
Best Pumpkin Beers 2020 - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Best Pumpkin Craft Beers

Entertain
It’s fall and you know what that means, pumpkin everything! From coffee to ice cream to potpourri, it’s hard to step outside and not get a whiff of this seasonal gourd. And what better way to celebrate pumpkin season than with a delicious craft beer? With so many pumpkin beers to choose from, we figured we’d give you a list of some of our favorites, so you can celebrate the season the right way! New Belgium Voodoo Atomic Pumpkin – 6.4% New Belgium is known for their Voodoo Ranger IPA... Read More
Summer Beers - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Suds of Summer

Spec’sology Blog, Beer
There’s nothing better than hot summer days and long summer nights, especially when you have the perfect summer beer keeping you refreshed while you sweat from dawn to dark! You could spend precious time searching for a new summer favorite, but we went ahead and put together a list of ours to ensure you don’t have to miss a moment of summer fun! Dogfish Head Slightly Mighty IPA Low-carb beer can be satisfying too! This refreshing 4%’er offers the aromatics of your favo... Read More
Memorial Day Grill & Beer Pairings - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Grill & Chill Pairings – Memorial Day Cookout Pairings

Spec’sology Blog, Beer, Pairings
When it comes to Memorial Day celebrations, we tend to think of firing up the grill and throwing a couple of extra delicious M’s in front of Mmmemorial. And for good reason; Memorial Day is the 2nd most popular day to cook up some backyard BBQ in America! (the first being Independence Day) Grilling up hotdogs and hamburgers is an American tradition, but what you wash it down with can make all the difference in the world. The right beer can elevate subtle flavors while the wrong one can dimi... Read More
Lighter Beers for Spring - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Lighter Beers for Spring

Spec’sology Blog, Beer
It’s officially springtime! And more importantly, winter is done ruining our outdoor fun! Also done are winter’s dark, thick beers that kept us full and warm during the cold season. Which means lighter spring beers are here to refresh your hibernating palate with gusto! Check out our list of spring beers to enjoy starting ASAP! Sierra Nevada Orta Vez Infused with the classic flavors of lime and blue agave nectar, this tart gose-style beer is light and refreshing. The bright lime fla... Read More
Winter Warmer Beers - Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods

Winter Warmer Beers – ‘Tis The Season of Suds

Spec’sology Blog, Beer
With the rise of craft breweries across America, consumers have become more adventurous and no longer demand the exact same beer 365 days a year. Now when they shop, they’re much more interested in finding something new and different rather than more of the same. This has led to the wonderful variety of seasonal beers. What Are Seasonal Beers? A seasonal beer is typically brewed during or for a particular season, holiday, or festival. They typically incorporate fresh ingredients availabl... 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 i... Read More

Still Grillin’

Beer, Entertain, Finer Foods, Pairings
“We’re heading into Oktoberfest season and that means great things for your next barbecue. Where we talked about the Helles style being straight forward beer flavored beer, Oktoberfest and other amber styles like it bring toasted malt flavors that make them perfect alongside the things you’re cooking on your grill or in your smoker.” Few beer styles have as storied a past as Oktoberfest does. A perfect retelling of its history can be found here, by Michael Jackson (the beer/scotch wri... 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 pr... Read More

Ooh, Grill!…

Entertain, Beer, Spec’sology Blog
“One of my favorite times and places to drink a beer during the Summer is with friends and family at a barbecue. There is something comforting and classic about the smells and flavors of the grill alongside a crisp, cold and refreshing beer. Big name cold bubbles are sufficient enough grilling fuel, but a good helles is the better option!” What Is Helles? Helles is a pale golden lager centered on the subtle grainy sweetness of pilsner malt, accented by spicy, floral hop aromatics with ... Read More

Michelada

Beer, Entertain, Finer Foods, Pairings
“Now that we’ve got a solid base recipe to play with, why stop? There are a number of things you can add on your favorite michelada to put it over the top!” If you’re still reading after the first Michelada post (https://specsonline.com/blog/beer/beer-snacks-belgian-strong-golden-2/), it’s safe to say you’re open to adding a little more than extra to your beer. Well, in the spirit of not “leaving well enough alone”, we’re not stopping at a good “basic” michelada. Why sho... 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 b... Read More