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15 Most Popular Beers for Making Chili

Many popular chili recipes call for beer, but which beer should you use? 

Red chili peppers and refreshing cold beer on wooden table

The complexities of chili and a meticulously selected beer dance in delightful harmony across your taste buds. 

Whether you’re relishing a fireside gathering in the crisp fall air or seeking comfort on a chilly night indoors, the optimal beer for chili promises an experience that transcends the ordinary. 

From robust stouts echoing the dish’s richness to hoppy IPAs that add a lively contrast, this culinary duet transforms every spoonful into a crescendo of taste and satisfaction.

Sierra Nevada Pale Ale

A balanced blend of cascade hops and rich malt defines Sierra Nevada Pale Ale—a harmonious interplay of floral and caramel notes. 

Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
source: sierranevada.com

Its crisp bitterness and vibrant citrus undertones uniquely complement chili’s heat, enhancing each spoonful. 

Crafted from simple ingredients: water, hops, malt, and yeast, this ale’s simplicity magnifies its strength, allowing chili flavors to flourish. 

Whether at cozy gatherings or game-day feasts, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale elevates the chili experience, making it an essential pairing that delights the palate.


Guinness Draught Stout

Savor the robust allure of Guinness Draught Stout, a perfect partner for chili. 

Guinness Draught Stout
source: guinness.com

Its rich amalgamation of water, malted barley, barley, and roasted barley yields deep, earthy flavors with subtle caramel notes. 

The infusion of hops, nitrogen, and yeast imparts a velvety texture, elevating the chili experience. 

What sets Guinness apart is its harmonious blend of ingredients—no frills, just pure satisfaction. 

Best enjoyed on cozy nights, the stout’s hearty character complements the warmth of chili, making each spoonful and sip a comforting delight.


Allagash White

Crafted by Allagash Brewing Company, Allagash White is a Belgian-style wheat beer that boasts a harmonious blend of coriander, Curaçao orange peel, and wheat. 

Allagash White
source: allagash.com

This refreshing beer exudes a delicate balance of citrusy and peppery notes, creating a perfect companion to chili. 

Its coriander and orange peel elements complement the hearty flavors of chili, while the wheat base adds a smooth body. 

Best enjoyed during casual gatherings or cozy nights in, Allagash White’s bright character and spice undertones enhance the chili experience, making it an exceptional choice for chili enthusiasts seeking a delightful pairing.


Yuengling Lager

Yuengling Lager, a perfect beer to complement chili, boasts a balanced harmony of toasted caramel malts and a touch of hops. 

Yuengling Lager
source: yuengling.com

This iconic amber lager‘s rich maltiness intertwines seamlessly with hints of mild bitterness, creating a palate that amplifies chili’s savory profile. 

Brewed with water, malted barley, hops, and yeast, its simplicity yields a remarkable depth of flavor. 

Best enjoyed during laid-back gatherings, its smooth character and slight bitterness uniquely enhance the chili experience, making it a quintessential choice to savor alongside a hearty bowl of your favorite recipe.


Negra Modelo

Negra Modelo, a robust companion to chili, boasts a harmonious blend of caramel malts and roasted barley. 

Negra Modelo
source: modelousa.com

Its velvety profile, characterized by a mild sweetness and subtle bitterness, complements the hearty spices of chili exquisitely. 

This amber lager’s distinctiveness lies in its toasted notes and well-balanced flavors. 

Brewed with water, barley malt, hops, and yeast, Negra Modelo’s simplicity accentuates the chili’s complexity. 

Ideal for cozy gatherings and fireside moments, it’s a splendid choice to savor as the sun dips below the horizon.


Bell’s Two Hearted Ale

Bell’s Two Hearted Ale, renowned for its harmonious blend, boasts a striking hop character that doesn’t overpower. 

Bell's Two Hearted Ale
source: bellsbeer.com

A marriage of Centennial hops and carefully selected malts imparts a balanced bitterness and subtle sweetness. 

The ale’s rich aroma carries citrus and floral notes, complementing the chili’s depth. 

Its simple, quality ingredients—water, malted barley, hops, and yeast—craft a standout beer, enhancing the chili experience. 

Ideal for cozy evenings or social gatherings, it’s a flavorful companion that accentuates the warmth of chili, elevating comfort to a new level.


Smithwick’s Red Ale

Smithwick’s Red Ale embodies a harmonious blend of toasted malts and gentle hops, resulting in a balanced and flavorful experience. 

Smithwick’s Red Ale
source: smithwicksexperience.com

The caramelized sweetness from the malt complements the subtle bitterness of the hops, creating a delightful interplay. 

This exceptional beer stands out for its simple yet impactful ingredients: water, malted barley, hops, and yeast. 

Its distinct character enhances the richness of chili, offering a hearty companion for cozy evenings or lively gatherings. 

Savor the camaraderie of flavors as the ale’s warmth and depth elevate the chili’s hearty goodness.


Samuel Adams Boston Lager

Captivating in every sip, Samuel Adams Boston Lager presents a smooth German-style lager that showcases the allure of slightly sweet roasted malts. 

Samuel Adams Boston Lager
source: samueladams.com

Delve into the intricate dance of caramel and toffee notes, harmoniously intertwined with a unique noble hop character carrying subtle touches of piney citrus. 

A delightful journey culminates in a crisp finale that effortlessly invites another round. 

Crafted from humble ingredients, this Lager distinguishes itself through its masterful flavor composition. 

Whether enjoyed alongside hearty chili, it transforms casual occasions into unforgettable experiences.


New Belgium Fat Tire

Enhance your chili experience with New Belgium Fat Tire Amber Ale. 

New Belgium Fat Tire
source: newbelgium.com

This ale’s harmonious blend of malt and hops offers a delightful caramel sweetness and a subtle hop bitterness that beautifully complements the richness of chili. 

Crafted with a medley of pale, biscuit, and caramel malts, alongside Cascade hops, its balanced and versatile profile makes it an ideal choice. 

Whether paired with classic beef chili or a spicy vegetarian version, the ale’s warm flavors and easy-drinking nature elevate chili nights to perfection.


Delirium Tremens

Delirium Tremens is an exceptional choice to complement chili. 

Delirium Tremens
source: delirium.be

With a distinctive blend of malt, hops, yeast, and subtle spices, it intertwines harmoniously with the hearty flavors of the dish. 

Its lush, well-rounded taste with a touch of fruitiness and a hint of warmth from the alcohol content elevates the chili experience. 

What sets it apart is the ingenious combination of simple ingredients – water, barley, hops, and yeast – resulting in a beer that balances the robustness of chili. 

Best savored during cozy gatherings or laid-back evenings, Delirium Tremens amplifies the comfort of a bowl of chili in every sip.


Deschutes Black Butte Porter

Masterful in its simplicity, the Deschutes Black Butte Porter is a harmonious blend of roasted malt and subtle chocolate notes. 

Deschutes Black Butte Porter
source: deschutesbrewery.com

With a skillful balance of bitterness and sweetness from crystal malts, this robust beer tantalizes the taste buds. 

Crafted from dark malt, hops, yeast, and pure water, its allure lies in its artful composition. 

Elevating the experience of chili pairing, its depth enhances the dish’s flavors, making it an ideal choice for cozy winter evenings or lively summer gatherings with friends.


Brewery Ommegang Abbey Ale

Brewery Ommegang Abbey Ale, a distinguished choice for chili pairing, boasts a rich blend of malted barley, noble hops, and Belgian yeast. 

Brewery Ommegang Abbey Ale
source: ommegang.com

This ale brings a medley of caramel and toffee notes, complemented by a touch of spiciness

Its harmonious fusion of flavors stems from its carefully selected ingredients, including toasted grains and aromatic hops. 

What sets it apart is its ability to add depth to chili with its velvety texture and earthy undertones. 

Best enjoyed on crisp fall evenings, this ale lends a hearty warmth that enriches the chili experience.


Anchor Steam Beer

Anchor Steam Beer, a perfect companion to chili, offers a harmonious blend of malt and hops. 

Anchor Steam Beer
source: anchorbrewing.com

This iconic brew boasts a deep amber hue, derived from its malted barley.

Cascade hops impart a subtle citrusy note that enhances the chili’s flavors. 

What sets Anchor Steam apart is its use of open fermentation, lending a unique character to the beer. 

Best enjoyed during laid-back gatherings or cozy evenings, this brew’s simple yet masterful combination of ingredients amplifies the chili experience, making it a cherished choice for hearty indulgence.


Half Acre Original Reaper

Harmonizing superbly with chili, Half Acre Original Reaper is the ultimate beer choice. 

Half Acre Original Reaper
source: halfacrebeer.com

It skillfully combines malted barley, hop bitterness, and a subtle caramel note for a well-rounded taste. 

What truly distinguishes it is the delicate spiciness contributed by a touch of rye, perfectly complementing the chili’s heat. 

Crafted from common yet carefully selected ingredients, Half Acre Original Reaper seamlessly accompanies hearty chili dishes, enhancing moments of camaraderie during gatherings or game nights.


Stone Brewing Arrogant Bastard Ale

Captivating the senses is Stone Brewing Arrogant Bastard Ale – an ideal companion to hearty chili. 

Stone Brewing Arrogant Bastard Ale
source: stonebrewing.com

This ale, bold and audacious, harmonizes rich caramel malts with assertive hops, crafting a robust melody on the palate. 

The marriage of roasted barley and piney hops sets it apart, while its elemental composition of water, malt, hops, and yeast enhances its depth. 

Tailored for cozy gatherings or fireside chats, it beautifully complements chili’s warmth, turning every bite into a harmonious blend of flavors.


Please drink responsibly, be fully accountable with your alcohol consumption, and show others respect.

Written by Paul Kushner

I have always had a deep interest in the restaurant and bar industry. My restaurant experience began in 1997 at the age of 14 as a bus boy. By the time I turned 17 I was serving tables, and by 19 I was bartending/bar managing 6-7 nights a week.

In 2012, after a decade and a half of learning all facets of the industry, I opened my first restaurant/bar. In 2015, a second location followed, the latter being featured on The Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.

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