Best Beer Pairings For Chili: Spicy, Savory, And Refreshing

Chili is a versatile dish that can be tweaked to reflect different regional cuisines and personal preferences. While some like their chili with beans, others prefer it without. Some chilis are thick and hearty, while others are thin and mild. With so many variations, it's no surprise that there isn't a one-size-fits-all beer pairing. However, a good beer pairing can elevate the dining experience, enhancing the flavours of the dish and providing a refreshing contrast. So, what beer should you drink with your chili?

Vienna lager: a slightly sweet, caramelly beer that's good with spice

If you're looking for a beer to pair with a spicy dish like chili, a Vienna lager could be the perfect choice. This style of beer, which originated in the city of Vienna, is characterised by its amber hue, ranging from copper to reddish-brown, and its slightly sweet, caramelly flavour. The malt aroma and flavour add a subtle toasted or slightly roasted character, while the hop bitterness is low to medium-low. This combination of flavours makes it an excellent choice for cutting through the spice of a hearty chili.

The history of the Vienna lager is quite interesting. It dates back to the 1800s when Austrian brewers immigrated to Mexico and introduced this style of beer. Today, it is still a popular choice in Mexico, often sold under the brands Negra Modelo and Dos Equis Amber.

The slightly sweet and caramelly notes of a Vienna lager provide a nice contrast to the earthy flavours of beans and cumin, which are commonly found in chili. Additionally, the bright apple notes in the beer can complement the spice beautifully. This makes it a popular choice in Tex-Mex restaurants, where spicy dishes are prevalent.

When serving Vienna lager with chili, it's essential to consider the glassware and temperature. A Pilsener glass, also known as a Pokal, is typically used for this style of beer. In terms of temperature, a slightly cooler temperature can help enhance the refreshing quality of the beer, making it even more enjoyable with a warm bowl of chili.

So, if you're looking for a beer to pair with your next chili meal, consider reaching for a Vienna lager. Its unique flavour profile and ability to stand up to spice make it an excellent choice for enhancing your dining experience.

Stout: complements the heat of a Texas-style chili

Texas-style chili is simplicity at its finest: meat, chilies, and tomatoes come together to make a rich, spicy dish. Texans take their chili seriously, and the official state dish is often referred to as a "bowl of red." While beans are a controversial topic among Texas chili enthusiasts, the dish is always packed with flavor and heat.

Stout is the perfect beer to complement Texas-style chili. The roasty sweetness and smooth texture of a stout pair nicely with the heat and robust flavors of the chili. The stout's thick body and roasted malt stand up to the hearty stew and rich beef, while also complementing any warm spices in the dish.

When choosing a stout to pair with Texas-style chili, opt for an American stout like a Cascabel Cream Stout or a Black Cat Stout. These stouts will complement the heat of the chili without getting lost in its bold flavors.

For an even more authentic Texas experience, consider a stout brewed in Texas itself. Options include the Buried Hatchet Stout from Southern Star Brewing in Conroe, the Pretzel Stout from Martin House Brewing Company in Fort Worth, or the Texas Thunder Stout from Fort Bend Brewing Co. in Missouri City.

So, if you're looking for the perfect beer to pair with your Texas-style chili, reach for a stout. Its complementary flavors and bold body will enhance your dining experience.

Pale ale: cuts through the fat of the ground beef in Kansas City-style chili

Kansas City-style chili is a simple dish of ground beef cooked with chili seasoning and served with toppings such as beans, ketchup, jalapeno sauce, and onions. The fat content of the ground beef is usually high, with ground chuck containing 80% meat and 20% fat.

When it comes to pairing a beer with Kansas City-style chili, a pale ale is an excellent choice. The hoppiness of an American pale ale will cut through the fat of the ground beef, providing a crisp and clean finish to balance the dish's bold flavours. The bitterness of the hops can also enhance the flavours of the peppers in the chili.

When selecting a pale ale to pair with Kansas City-style chili, consider the following options:

• Prime Extra Pale Ale from Cinder Block Brewery in Kansas City, MO
• Lunch Pale Ale from McCoy's Public House in Kansas City, MO
• Pale Ale from Boulevard Brewing Co. in Kansas City, MO
• Rough Rider Pale Ale from High Noon Saloon and Brewery in Leavenworth, KS
• The Duke from Granite City Food & Brewery in Kansas City, MO
• Copperhead Pale Ale from Free State Brewing Co. in Lawrence, KS

These beers will provide a refreshing contrast to the rich flavours of the chili, ensuring a delightful dining experience.

Brown ale: tones down the heat of Southwestern-style chili

Southwestern-style chili is a combination of stew and chili, with a sauce made from the region's most iconic ingredient: green chilies. This thick, rich base is often filled with pork, potatoes, bell pepper, and beans.

The toasty nuttiness of an American brown ale tones down the heat of Southwestern-style chili. The slight sweetness is a perfect match for the naturally sweet pork. The bready, malty flavors complement the thick consistency from the potatoes and beans, while a mild bitterness can break up the dish's richness.

Some brown ale options to pair with Southwestern-style chili include:

• Around & Around Brown Ale by Wild Mountain Smokehouse & Brewery in Nederland, CO
• Boneyard Brown by The Stumbling Steer in Albuquerque, NM
• Carlos American Brown Ale by Black Bottle Brewery in Fort Collins, CO
• Brown Ale by High Desert Brewing Co. in Las Cruces, NM
• Eclipse Brown by Equinox Brewing in Fort Collins, CO
• Brown Ale by Second Street Brewery in Santa Fe, NM

Porter: plays up the smoky flavours of Louisiana-style chili

Louisiana-style chilli is a unique dish that puts a Creole twist on the more widely known Texas-style chilli. Louisiana-style chilli often includes regional staples such as Andouille sausage, smoked bacon, hot sauce, red beans, and even rice. To complement the smokiness of the sausage or bacon, a porter beer is an excellent choice to pair with this dish.

Porters are known for their toffee flavours, which complement the richness of the chilli, as well as the sweetness of the bacon or sausage. They offer a nice balance of malty sweetness and hop bitterness, which can cut through the heaviness of the beans while also standing up to the heat of the chilli. The robust nature of a porter makes it a perfect match for the bold and spicy flavours of Louisiana-style chilli.

When choosing a porter to pair with Louisiana-style chilli, consider the following options: Electric Porter from Covington Brewhouse, Korova Milk Porter from Gnarley Barley Brewing Co., Old 504 from Chafunkta Brewing Co., or French Quarter Porter from Fair Hope Brewing. These beers will enhance the smoky flavours of the chilli while providing a pleasant contrast to the spicy notes.

In addition to drinking porter with Louisiana-style chilli, it can also be added as an ingredient to the chilli itself. Black Porter Chilli, for example, is a variation of the dish that incorporates smooth black porter, adding a luxurious touch to the traditional recipe. The subtle hints of vanilla in a black vanilla porter can elevate the flavours of the chilli, creating a unique and indulgent dining experience.

Whether enjoyed as a beverage pairing or incorporated into the chilli recipe, porter beer enhances the flavours of Louisiana-style chilli, making it a recommended choice for those seeking a well-rounded culinary adventure.

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