As we approach the winter holidays, there’s nothing better a steaming bowl of chili—especially a chili made with the right IPA.

And although this recipe might work with a wide range of India Pale Ales, we went with a winter holiday classic.

Crafted with freshly harvested, kiln-dried Cascade, Centennial, and Chinook hops, Sierra Nevada Celebration IPA, is a brilliant 6.8 % ABV Fresh Hop India Pale Ale and its annual return is always a reason for “celebration.”

Widely available as the temps drop and the nights get longe, Celebration’s hop-forward brightness and subtle malt backbone can transform classic comfort food into something special.

So let’s do this!

Sierra Nevada Celebration IPA Chili

 Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef (or mix with pork or turkey)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 2 jalapeños, seeded & minced (leave seeds in for more heat)
• 1 can (15 oz) crushed tomatoes
• 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1 can kidney beans, drained
• 1 can black beans, drained
• 1 bottle (12 oz) Celebration IPA (or similar West Coast-style IPA)
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• ½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional, if you like it spicy)
• Salt & black pepper to taste

(Courtesy Sierra Nevada Brewing)

Directions

Brown the meat.
In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium-high. Add ground beef and cook until browned. Drain excess fat.

Sauté the veggies.
Add onion, garlic, bell pepper, and jalapeños. Stir and cook 3–4 minutes until softened.

Add the spices.
Mix in chili powder, paprika, cumin, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Let the spices toast for a minute.

Deglaze with beer.
Pour in the bottle of Celebration IPA. Scrape up the browned bits from the bottom—this is bigtime flavoring that you temper to taste with sugar

Add tomatoes & beans.
Stir in tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, and beans. Bring to a simmer.

Slow cook.
Turn heat to low, cover, and simmer for at least 45 minutes (up to 2 hours if you’ve got time). Stir occasionally. The longer it simmers, the richer it gets.

Pro Tips

Top with sharp cheddar, sliced jalapeños, sour cream, cilantro, or tortilla strips.

Serve with cornbread, crusty bread, or on top of fries or baked potatoes.

Want deeper flavor? Add 1 tsp of dark cocoa powder or a splash of black coffee.

Vegan version works too—swap out  the meat for lentils or other bean alternatives.

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Want more “Cooking With Beer” recipes?

We’ve got them…

SIERRA NEVADA NARWHAL STOUT BROWNIES

OSKAR BLUES CITRUS-CHILI WINGS

DALE’S PALE ALE STUFFED PIZZA BREAD

GUINNESS BEEF STEW

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