November 16, 2009
Capt. Levi at Spec’s Airport knows his beer, and he’s evidently got some connections that most of the beer guys in town don’t have. It’s rather unfortunate, though, that Levi’s pretty much the only guy in this particular store who really knows what’s going on with beer. Other employees are always helpful, but he seems to be wholly in charge of the beer department. This Spec’s has pretty much any beer you’ll find in town, including all of the rare releases that come this way. Pretty nice prices, especially on their sales, and the 5% discount for cash or debit is a nice feature. Just about the best place for beer shopping if you’re in Austin.

July 1, 2009
I agree with one of the raters that if Spec’s doesn’t have it, Texas doesn’t have it. Spec’s has a great selection of beer and wine, more wine than beer. They have a nice grocery section with a deli. The shelves are loaded with off the wall snacks that you wouldn’t find in your ordinary grocery store. They stock a lot of NorCal, Colorado and Midwest micros. They also had the usual NW micros, but nothing really rare from up there. I didn’t notice anything from the upper midwest like Bell’s, Three Flloyds, Great Lakes, New Glarus, etc. But they had some of the latest and greatest out from DFH and Lagunitas. Overall, a great place to buy beer in TX. I got some stuff I can’t get in Idaho. But this place takes a back seat to places like Bottle Works in Seattle and John’s in Portland.

November 20, 2008
I went to Austin to party on 6th street and I decided to get some bad ass brews for the weekend. I walked in and thought, "My God, this is the Wal-Mart of alcohol!" Service is good when you ask for help, but they don’t go out of their way to help. Selection of beer and liquor was massive; they have enough to keep me busy for years. The value was reasonable because if you use cash you get 10% off. Overall Spec’s kicks major ass!

October 25, 2008
Not much different than a Houston Spec’s but that’s not a bad thing. Spec’s is number 1 in Texas. If Spec’s doesn’t have it, Texas doesn’t have it.

March 6, 2008
Lots of these are popping up all over Austin. Not a horrible selection but not great either. It has a nice old Austin feel to it that the other Spec’s don’t seem to have. Nice service - the beer guy was excited to help and talk and recommend beers. Overall, the best Spec’s location I have been to - but in general it isn’t too special.

January 16, 2008 [ Updated September 15, 2008 ]
Great selection and really great prices. Fantastic booze variety too. Seemed friendly and helpful, though I didn’t talk to anyone much.

October 14, 2007
Good beer selection overall, but the singles selection is lacking, comparatively, if that is what you’re looking for. About 2/3 of the stock is kept refrigerated. Prices are good and as cheap or cheaper as anywhere for most items, but not all. Have found much more stuff that only Grapevine has that Specs doesn’t, than those that Specs has and Grapevine is lacking. People are nice enough, but for me, I prefer Grapevine, as I’m mainly interested in selection of beer and specifically singles. It’s nice getting updates from Grapevine’s beer guy here on RB about new stuff available too- Still a good place though, even if it does smell like goddamn mothballs for some reason...

October 12, 2007
Made my way down here since I was in the neighborhood- Bigger store than Grapevine off Mopac, decent selection. While looking over the beer section, I had 2 employees come over and ask what my favorites were, if I had any requests-very impressed with the service. Prices are moderate, standard high/low on some items. Plan on being back soon for beers to rate, even if I’m not in the neighborhood.

May 6, 2007
finally made it by ... pretty much as I figured, having beeb to ones in Houston - full selection as decent prices. what they don’t have, I presume they’ll try to get and the "beer guy" there Saturday night was extremely willing to help, asked me what I wanted, what I liked and said he’d get whatever was possible.

December 29, 2006
Huge store...I talked with the beer guy for a little while and he is very friendly and knowledgable and is a homebrewer too. Selection similar to Grapevine, just about everything that is available in Texas is there. Sake selection sucks though. Tons of wines and liquors as well. They have a deli with cheeses and chocolates too.