Spec's Wine & Spirits

[JudynTX]

Has anyone been to this new beer/wine store yet? It's in the Forum. From what I hear, it's suppose to be huge.

[Bender]

I live near the Forum, and go there a lot. Haven't noticed it yet... which end is it at?

[mookie2001]

yeah

even victoria has one

nothing special, a load of the hard stuff at prices $1 less than the compe ion

[SpursWoman]

I see it all the time and it's usually pretty crowded ... keep meaning to check it out but haven't yet.

It's where the new Circuit City was for about 2 months.

[JudynTX]

I think it's where the Circuit City used to be.

[Bender]

oh, that's across 35 from the Forum...

[phyzik]

Yes.... this place is Gigantic.

[Bender]

so... a Circuit City full of liquor? geez!

[katyon6th]

That place is quite overwhelming, I must say. Good selection of wine, although not worth the drive for me.

[JudynTX]

so... a Circuit City full of liquor? geez!

That's what I'm saying!

[Bender]

If I had any money now, I'd go there tonight and check it out, and give a review on ST... but I'm broke...

(need to shop at Dollar Stores more I guess)

[easjer]

Spec's is awesome. I'm glad they are branching out into SA. They are originally here in Houston and the original store is now 2 city blocks big. For real. They sell every beer you can legally buy in Texas, huge wine selection and I've always enjoyed their liquor section.

I heart Spec's. 5% off when you pay in cash. And the deli food is great.

[ATRAIN]

Spec's is awesome. I'm glad they are branching out into SA. They are originally here in Houston and the original store is now 2 city blocks big. For real. They sell every beer you can legally buy in Texas, huge wine selection and I've always enjoyed their liquor section.

I heart Spec's. 5% off when you pay in cash. And the deli food is great.

Yeah the Specs in midtown is pretty bad ass.

[easjer]

We usually go to one off Westheimer, but it's worth a special trip now and again. There is a teeny one near our house (corner of Gessner and 59) but we've never been in there. Don't know why.

[JudynTX]

That's it. I'm going this weekend to find this place.

[leemajors]

Spec's is awesome. I'm glad they are branching out into SA. They are originally here in Houston and the original store is now 2 city blocks big. For real. They sell every beer you can legally buy in Texas, huge wine selection and I've always enjoyed their liquor section.

I heart Spec's. 5% off when you pay in cash. And the deli food is great.

The Grand Cru sandwich is amazing. They don't quite have every beer, it's close. The staff usually sucks for recommendations though. They also have great walk-in unadvertised deals too.

[SpursWoman]

I didn't realize they had a deli in there ... interesting.

[Dex]

I imagine Spec's is what an alcoholic envisions when he thinks of heaven.

[leemajors]

I imagine Spec's is what an alcoholic envisions when he thinks of heaven.

There is a Gabriel's/Spec's out let in San Marcos, that's probably it.

[Bender]

but how is the beer...? not the selection, but the actual care and storage. I've been several places in town, and when I try an obscure import beer, it tastes skunky or whatever. Like it is super old, or it was stored cold, then hot, then cold again, or whatever...

[easjer]

The Grand Cru sandwich is amazing. They don't quite have every beer, it's close. The staff usually sucks for recommendations though. They also have great walk-in unadvertised deals too.

They do at the flagship store (the one on Smith street in downtown Houston); but the 'family' locations are hit and miss.

The tiny one near our house couldn't possibly, but the bigger one we frequent has a huge selection.

The deli depends on location, SW - I don't know if the SA location has one or not, but try it out if they do. They just added one recently to the one we visit (which makes it sound like we go often - we don't. I can't drink with the meds I'm on right now, more's the pity, but I have long enjoyed Spec's).

[easjer]

but how is the beer...? not the selection, but the actual care and storage. I've been several places in town, and when I try an obscure import beer, it tastes skunky or whatever. Like it is super old, or it was stored cold, then hot, then cold again, or whatever...

I've never had any issues from the Houston locations I've visited, but I would guess it varies by location. The imports I recall were great (but it's been several months since I was either not on meds or not pregnant, so it's been awhile).

[leemajors]

but how is the beer...? not the selection, but the actual care and storage. I've been several places in town, and when I try an obscure import beer, it tastes skunky or whatever. Like it is super old, or it was stored cold, then hot, then cold again, or whatever...

Just avoid clear or green bottles and you should be ok - they don't block UV light near as good as brown bottles. . If what you like does come in those bottles, avoid 6 packs where the bottle doesn't reach up on the neck - more exposure to UV light just ruins beer and the fluorescent lights can make it worse. Cold/hot usually doesn't matter too much, unless they are wildly varying extremes.

[SequSpur]

umm..how much is the crown there?

[baseline bum]

Great store. They had six packs of Deschutes Black Butte Porter on sale for $5.99 the other day, so I had to pick up a couple. I also love the cash discount (they also give it for check and debit). On average their six packs seem to be about 70 cents or so cheaper than their compe ion, and the selection is outstanding.

They carry almost all of my favorites too: Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Celebration Ale, Stout, and Porter. Stone IPA, Ruination IPA, Smoked Porter, and two types of Arrogant Bas Ale. Pilsner Urquell, Rogue Chocolate Stout, Dogfish 90 minute IPA, and lots of stuff from breweries that I've been wanting to try like Deschutes and Brooklyn Brewery. About the only stuff I really love that I didn't see were Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Ale (I think it's seasonal) and Rogue Shakespeare Stout (not sure why they didn't order this one).