When it comes to chili, there’s nothing better than enjoying it with a cold beer. Beer has a way of bringing out the flavors and aromas in chili, making it a perfect pairing. With so many craft brews to choose from, it can be difficult to know which one will complement your chili the best. That’s where expert Jeff Tyler comes in. As the co-owner and head brewer at Spice Trade Brewery & Kitchen, he knows a thing or two about pairing beer with food.

According to Tyler, adding beer to your chili should do more than just enhance the existing flavors – it should bring something unique to the table. He focuses on two key elements of beer when selecting the perfect bottle. The first is a malt-forward beer such as a stout, porter, amber, märzen, or bock. These beers add a roasted or deep toasted bread character to the chili, which complements the rich caramel notes from the browned beef.

Tyler’s second choice is a more unique option – a chili beer. This beer is brewed with peppers, ranging from hot jalapeños to sweeter banana peppers. The heat from the peppers adds an extra kick to the chili, elevating its flavor profile. While chili beers can be harder to find, they are well worth the effort if you can track one down.

Once you’ve selected your beer, Tyler has some tips for incorporating it into your chili for maximum flavor. He suggests adding the beer in two steps. First, use a splash to deglaze the pan after sautéing your aromatics. This helps to release the flavors and aromas from the pan and infuse them into the chili. Then, add a more generous pour of beer shortly before serving. This layering technique allows the beer flavor to develop throughout the cooking process.

In addition to knowing when to add the beer, Tyler advises choosing a stronger beer for chili, especially if it’s a spicy chili beer. Lightly flavored or low-heat brews can get lost in the strong aromas of the chili, so it’s best to choose a bold beer that can hold its own.

So the next time you’re making chili, grab a beer that will enhance the flavors and aromas of your dish. Whether it’s a malt-forward beer or a chili beer, the right choice can take your chili to the next level. Cheers to a delicious and perfectly paired meal!