National Chili Day is only a few days away..
The forth Thursday in February marks an opportunity to pay tribute to the greatest competition food of them all. Few can agree on what goes in “proper chili” but none can argue on what goes best with chili. Beer. .
Chili’s History
The roots of chili have often been misappropriated to Central Mexico and the Aztecs because common thought connects beans and corn to that area. The truth is that chili originally didn’t have either beans or corn!
These are recent additions that came about with chili parlors just over a century ago.
300 years ago a small group of 16 families (56 settlers) traveled from the Spanish Canary islands and arrived in what is now Texas and established the township of San Antonio. They brought with them “chili con carne” which translates to peppers and meat. The Spanish had introduced cows and beef to the Americas and this was the original chili protein.
It became popular on the wagon trail and was brought to California for the gold rush in 1850. Chili didn’t included beans because cooking beans takes a long time. Too long for the trail.
Texas Style
“If you know beans about chili, you know chili ain’t got no beans.” – Texan proverb
The OG style is only spice, chili, and meat. Over time tomato sauce was added. Texas chili is very earthy, thick, and mesquite. It pairs well with Pale ales, American Brown ales, Irish stouts, and smoked beers. All of these have a some bitterness, malt, and carbonation to compliment and lift the weight of the chili.
Beers To Try With Texan Chili
- Sierra Nevada Pale Ale (CA, US)
- Alesmith Nut Brown Ale (CA, US) $12 for 6pk
- Ohara’s Irish Stout (Ireland) $12 for 4pk
- Schlenkerla Bamberg Smoked (Rauchbier) (Germany) $5 a 500ml
Vegetarian Chili
This bean-based chili came about in the 60’s and 70’s when the vegetarian trend was taking hold. Black beans, kidney beans, corn, mushrooms, tofu, and dairy change up the pairing game.
Beans and corn add sweetness so choosing a hoppy, bitter beer, creates the bitter-sweet combo. Look to Ambers, Pale ales, and Ipas. All of these styles will work if the chili has some kick too.
Beers For Veggie Chili
- Sierra Nevada Pale Ale (CA, US) $10 a 6pk
- Deschutes Mirror Pond Ale (Or, US) $12 a 6pk
- North Coast Red Seal Amber (CA, US) $10 a 6pk
- Modern Time’s Blazing World IPA/Amber (CA, US) $12 a 4pk
White Bean Chili
This style is usually more loose like a soup. The beans are either “great northern” or “cannellini” and the meat is either turkey or chicken. This is usually a mild chili and is topped with cheese and sometimes sour cream.
It’s best not to crush this more delicate style with anything too heavy or boozy. Look to the lightly hopped ales or dry Irish stouts.
Beers For White Bean Chili
- Fuller’s ESB (England) $10 a 4pk
- Anchor Steam Beer (CA, US) $10 a 6pk
- Firestone 805 Blonde Ale (CA, US) $10 a 6pk
- Ohara’s Irish Stout $12 a 4pk
Chili Verde
This New Mexico style really ramps up the heat. Pork, green tomatillos, and roasted green chilis are the base. Then jalapenos, serrano, habanero, and more can be added!
A beer with a touch of malt sweetness and light hop bitterness is called for here to balance the heat. Ambers and British ESB are great if it’s moderately spicy. Super spicy calls for Doppelbock or Scotch Wee Heavys.
Beers For Chili Verde
- Ohara’s Irish Red (Ireland) $10 a 4pk
- Alaskan Amber (AK, US) $10 a 6pk
- Fuller’s ESB (England) $10 a 4pk
- Ayinger Celebrator Doppelbock (Germany) $12 a 4pk
- Founder’s Dirty Bastard Scotch Ale (MI, US) $11 a 6pk
- Oscar Blues Old Chub Scotch Ale (CO, US) $10 a 6pk
Cincinnati Style Chili
This spaghetti-based style was born to the Greek community in Ohio a century ago. The use of beans and the smothering of it in cheese signals to look to the veggie chili pairings.
Lightly hopped Pale ales and Ambers will keep it interesting and balanced while not crushing this deliscious comfort food.
Beer For Cincinnati Style Chili
Enjoy this weeks observation of all things chili. You’re now armed with ideas for the most popular chili styles out there.
As chili evolves or changes over time, there will always be a beer that’s ready for it.
Happy National Chili Day! (Week) Cheers!
