Beer and Wine: Texas Terroir, Spec's Update, Rare Allagash at Grapevine, and Beer Lobbyists?

Tonight at Castle Hill Cafe, the Texas Food and Wine Foundation is sponsoring an interesting discussion on Texas wines titled "Home On The Range: Texas Terroir." There will be food and wine, of course, but what makes this event different is the reflection on what is special about Texas wines when compared to California or Europe, along with some discussion (we hope) on things that haven't worked out in our area. They will also show you how to pair Texas wines and foods. One is sure to gain some great buyer knowledge for use at your local wine shop, and Castle Hill's food is always excellent, so we encourage you to attend. Tickets are $40 for TFWF members and $50 for non-members.
SPEC's is about to change the booze landscape in Austin. The first location near Highland Mall is opening late this week, and a second in the old Academy building near Brodie Lane and 290 will follow sometime in late January. SPEC's is a Houston-based liquor hypermart that should provide some needed price competition in our area, which will be good for everyone's wallet. We are excited to have them, though unfortunately Spec's has perhaps the worst website ever.
Grapevine Market's latest email newsletter announced that they have some very tough to find limited Allagash beer releases in stock. The Allagash Musette and Curieux are both priced opulently at $14.99 per 750ml bottle, but having had both of them at this year's BeerAdvocate fest in Boston, we assure you they are among the best beers we've ever tasted. Ever. The Musette tastes like caramel and oak, while the Curieux has amazing tastes of coconut, bourbon, and vanilla. Both will wallop you with 10%+ alcohol, and are slow sippers. Enjoy!
In a final beer note, St. Arnold's and several other microbreweries are getting political. After years of fighting some obscure TABC regulations that limit sales and marketing practices, the breweries have banded together to form Friends of Texas Microbreweries (FOTM), which will hire lobbyists to push for adaption of changes in state laws that allow for a more microbrew-friendly climate in our state. This can't be a bad thing, as we are sorely lacking compared to the East and West Coasts in this department.

Image via Allagash.com.

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By Tom Thornton in Food on December 5, 2006 10:51 AM 0 Comments

Comments [rss]

packandgetdressed

I've been waiting for Specs to open here with much anticipation. It's what I grew up with in Houston. When Grapevine first opened, everbody pee'd their pants at how great it was. I thought it was teh lame.

aaron

Dammit TT! Now everyone is going to be buying the Allagash. I've been bugging Charles to get it for months and now they're going to be out before you know it. I'm going to have to go back and get some more. I tried it out at a beer fest in San Jose with the guys from Allagash and it's awesome. I grabbed 4 bottles as soon as it came in and now I'm going to have to get some more. I wish that NXNW would bring back their special oak aged beer they did a few years ago, it was delicious.

josh

Having lived in Houston, Spec's is awesome (particularly the downtown megastore, which is the WholeFoods Megaplex of liquor/fine food stores). And if you pay with cash or debit, they take a little bit off the price.

Mr. Vino

I hope Specs will bring the folks at Grapevine Market out of their indifferent attitude when it comes to customer service. Now GV will have to wake up to the fact that they aren't the only large wine / booze megamart in Austin, which you point out, will be good for all of us consumers.