If you’re a fan of chili – That delicious camping staple made from beans, hotdogs, and cheese, then you’re in luck – These beers are the best beverages you can try out with chili, either as a pairing, or as an ingredient to enhance its taste. These beers are all made from the finest ingredients, and come in an assortment of flavors that you’re sure to love. If you’re an avid camper and love the taste of chili, then these beers will surely suit your taste.
These beers are all chosen thanks to the advice of chefs, beer enthusiasts, chili lovers, seasoned campers, brewers, and just about anyone who loves the taste of this rather pungent dish made from beans. Perhaps you can serve these beers along a huge bowl of chili on February 23, aka national chili day. Chili is a versatile dish, and these beers sure are too. So if you’re curious about which beers are these, then read on.
What Type of Beers are Better for Chili?
- Samuel Adams Boston Lager
Since this beer is a lager, it tastes best when served at cold temperatures, and this complements the spicy and hot sensations that chili can bring to you while you’re eating some. It has a crisp and clean finish, very similar to ale beers that have been fermented at a warmer temperature. This Vienna-based beverage also has a bit of a sweet finish, which lessens the hop bitterness that some drinkers might not like. The drink also has some nice bready notes that shine as an aftertaste.
- Victory Prima Pils
The flavor of this particular beverage can also help tone down the spicy and somewhat sweet aspects of a chili. When added as an ingredient, the beer serves to accentuate the other flavors that the other ingredients carry. This drink’s flavor is so powerful, but not too overwhelming to the point where it gets rid of the tastes of your chili. This can be a good thing if your chili has actual spicy ingredients such as paprika or habanero peppers.
- Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier
This German beer has a very creamy mouthfeel that’s similar to Belgian-style beers. Therefore, this makes it a great choice when you want to choose a certain beer to cook your chili with. The yeast used in this beer has elements of clove and banana, while the final product itself has elements of orange and citrusy flavors. While cooking, you’ll learn that the banana flavor in this beer suits nicely with bolder types of chili. Other ingredients in the beer will bring spicier ingredients to the home front of the dish.
- Anchor Steam Beer
Another great beer to pair up with chili, this beer might have similar tastes as an amber-colored beer, but the hops make their presence known right away. These flavors are both spicy and herbaceous, making it an excellent companion to chilis that have a balanced spiciness, and use ingredients such as pasilla and ancho peppers. The company behind this product uses open-air fermenters to brew their beer, giving it a unique kind of crispness.
What Beers to Avoid for Chili
- Northern Monk Ice Cream Pale Ale
This is a drink that captures the flavors of sweet Neapolitan ice cream with flavors that are similar to chocolate, strawberries, and lactose. This beer was a collaboration of two breweries, both based in the UK. As mentioned, this beer has a taste that’s akin to a dessert – And pairing it with chili seems a bit weird, to say the least. You can still enjoy this delightful beverage on a different occasion, such as at a party, or when you’re relaxing after a long day.
- Bud Light Lemon
Bud Light’s alcoholic version of a lemonade contains a refreshing citrus twist that results in a crisp drink. It’s got the right balance of sweet and tart, but perhaps too tart for a robust dish such as chili. However, you can still enjoy this beverage on a warm summer day, perhaps as a reward to yourself after doing chores in the warm sun.
FAQs About the Best Beers for Chili
Why Does Beer Taste Good with Chili?
Those who usually consume beer with chili are looking for a way to further intensify the spiciness of the food, and not to neutralize or take away the sensation. The umami flavors that come from the chili tend to mingle with the bitterness of the beer, adding an extra kick to the food. A citrus beer usually complements the food, while sweeter stout flavors will enhance the sweetness of a chili made with cocoa powder. Another possible reason why chili tastes so good is because people usually enjoy sharing bitter drinks like beer and coffee with a bunch of other people.
How Do I Add Depth and Flavor to Chili Using Beer?
Consider the chili’s spiciness first. If you’re going for an intense version, pick a refreshing beer such as a light lager, or a pilsner. It’s nice if you can do a taste test first before checking to see which flavor profile is better. The beer should have the same intensity as the chili itself, so one flavor shouldn’t overpower the other. Pick a brown ale as these have a strong malty taste that can complement the chili’s flavors. Some people also choose to use beer as a stock, instead of relying on chicken or beef granules for flavor.
Wrapping up the Best Beers for Chili
We hope you enjoyed this list of the best beers to cook or pair up with chili. It was nice being able to try out the best of both worlds – But according to the opinions of our colleagues, only one stands out among the rest, and that is the Samuel Adams Boston Lager. It’s a common beer that you can purchase everywhere, and this just adds to its overall appeal. No matter if it’s for adding as an ingredient, or for drinking alongside a hot bowl of chili or not, this beer will hit the spot.
David is a well-known news writer, investigative journalist, and author, featured on CNN, MSNBC, and ABC News. His work focuses on truth and justice, tackling societal issues directly. Through clear investigations and compelling storytelling, he challenges the norms of journalism.
