When the leaves start to turn and football fills the weekends, there’s nothing quite like a steaming bowl of chili—and when you cook it with the right Oktoberfest lager, it’s even better.

And although this recipe works with a wide range of beers, we went with Sierra Nevada Oktoberfest a 6% ABV modern Festbier which they crafted along with  Störtebeker, an internationally recognized award-winning German brewer.

This Festbier leans into its rich, smooth malt backbone with notes of fresh-baked bread and honey….traits that enhance the chili’s base without overpowering it. The beer adds depth, tenderizes the beef, and rounds out the spices. The rich malt backbone and subtle caramel notes of this terrific Oktoberfest lager deepen the flavor, adding a warm sweetness that perfectly balances chili’s smoky spice.

So let’s do this!

Ingredients

Serves 6–8

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 lbs ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (12 oz) bottle of Sierra Nevada Oktoberfest
• 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• ½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

(Courtesy Sierra Nevada Brewing)

Directions

1. Brown the meat:
   Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain excess fat if needed.
2. Sauté the aromatics:
   Add onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Deglaze with beer:
   Pour in the Oktoberfest lager, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Simmer for 3–4 minutes to let the alcohol cook off and the flavors meld.
4. Build the base:
   Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, beans, and all the spices. Mix well.
5. Simmer low and slow:
   Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 45–60 minutes, stirring occasionally. The longer it cooks, the richer it gets.
6. Taste and adjust:
   Add more salt, pepper, or a dash of hot sauce to taste. If you like a thicker chili, simmer uncovered for the last 15 minutes.

️ Serving Ideas

Top with shredded cheddar, sour cream, chopped scallions, or crushed tortilla chips. Pair it, of course, with a cold Oktoberfest lager on the side.

Pro Tip

If you want a touch of smokiness, toss in a diced chipotle pepper or substitute part of the ground beef with chorizo. For vegetarians, swap the meat for extra beans and roasted sweet potatoes—Oktoberfest still brings that malty magic.

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