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What kind of dark beer for chili recipe?

16 years ago

I decided to enter a chili cook-off at work and found a recipe on the internet that was rated 5 stars by dozens of readers. (Yes, I'm entering the contest with a chili that I've never tested!)

The recipe calls for a can of dark beer. Now I don't know anything at all about beer (and DH has been no help). What brand of dark beer would you put into chili?

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Comments (13)

lindac
16 years ago
A dark German Beer...not a "sweet" beer like a Porter.
Anchor Steam puts outs everal dark beers as do other brewerys.
I also suspect that the success of the recipe depends to a large part on the beer you use.
Linda C
caflowerluver
16 years ago
I would use Guinness. Also Murphys makes a dark beer too. Those are my DH's favorites.
Clare
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sigh
16 years ago
Negro Modelo. It's a Mexican dark beer (the one with the gold label) that's flavor is deep enough to be perfect both in and with chili. Failing that, McSorley's ale. I'd be afraid that Guinness or Murphy's would have too much flavor for chili (though 've got a recipe for Guinness stout spice cake that will knock your socks off).

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starpooh
Original Author
16 years ago
Linda - Thanks! I'll stay away from the sweet Porters.

Clare - What kind of Guinness or Murphys? Is a stout considered a dark beer? What about draught?
(Sorry I'm such a dummy!) I suppose I could go to a beer distributor and ask these same questions but I only have time to stop at the supermarket.
lisacdm
16 years ago
I would use Samuel Adams either Boston Lager, Oktoberfest or Winter Lager. Guiness would also be a good choice I usually make stew with Samuel Adams Lager. The lager is technically not a dark beer but it is full bodied. Good luck with the contest.
magic_arizona
16 years ago
I was just researching chili recipes myself and emeril suggests Lone Star or Shiners Bock.
arley_gw
16 years ago
Stout is a dark ale. Any of those brews suggested would probably do just fine; just avoid the overly sweet, malty ones like Newcastle. Guinness has an almost coffee-like roasty flavor which might overpower the rest of the chili. But if the chili is fairly robust and spicy, that might work just fine.

Many microbrews are highly hopped, which I like for consumption but might give some odd flavors in chili.
magothyrivergirl
16 years ago
I do cook with beer & I drink beer - I admit it! No on the Guinness for chili - too heavy (although I have a great recipe for a Guinness beef stew) and yes on the Negro Modelo as suggested by sigh. I also use it to cook mussels. You may be able to buy 1 bottle, but then you won't have any to drink while you cook the chili. Good luck on your cook - off !
starpooh
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks everybody! I was able to get to the beer distributor and picked up a 6pack of Negro Modelo. The gentleman behind the counter agreed that it was a good choice for chili. But I'm not sure he speaks English. :-)

I'll let you know what happens during the cook-off!
sigh
16 years ago
Good luck, Starpooh! I love Negro Modelo, it's one of my favorite "secret" beers, plus it's not as expensive as some of the others.

Negro Modelo for mussels? Oh my! I'll bet that's tasty.

Guinness is great for stews (and for spice cake) but not for Chili. And Muphy's is best if you're making stout ice cream (yes I occasionally do the all beer dinner for my better half).

Nina
centralcacyclist
16 years ago
I have a few bottles of Negro Modelo in the cupboard. I use them in chili and I toss a splash in my salsa. :)
starpooh
Original Author
16 years ago
Good news and bad news...

The Negro Modelo was perfect for the chili! DH loved it and I was really psyched for a win.

But.... didn't even come close to winning. I had hoped the beer would give me an advantage (recipe also called for strong coffee, too!) but it seems the "guys" at work are not very discriminating. The winner was the hottest chili (I don't like super spicy so my chili was a bit tame). And my officemate did an interesting experiment; her entry was Bush's Best Homestyle Chili that she purchased at Walmart and popped into a crockpot. Guess what? She took 3x as many votes as my chili (although she didn't win).
Go figure.

Think I'll stick to the Christmas Cookie Contest instead.

Here is a link that might be useful: Chili recipe that didn't win :-)
mustangs81
16 years ago
Starpooh, I guess that's a commentary on the judges and not the cook. I'm sure there would have been much different results had your recipe been judged by...say the Cooking Forum! I would obsess over recipes then slave over covered dishes to bring to the office only to see the pigs in a blanket devoured.

BTW-Negro Modelo is what I use in my Caribbean Chili.

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