Texas Taste
Robert the Llama Butcher criticizes a chili recipe for its lack of beer. I would agree, except for his recommendation of Lone Star beer.
As far as I'm concerned, the "real" national beer of Texas is Shiner Bock, brewed in the Spoetzel Brewery in Shiner, Texas (pop. 2,100).
Another good thing to include in a real Texas chili is novelty meat -- venison, rattlesnake, bison, you name it. Maybe even llama?
Yip yip indeed.
Okay, I'll give you that one! Forgot about Shiner Bock - It's been a long time.
Posted by: Robert the Llama Butcher at April 7, 2004 01:22 PMIn our college years, I would have agreed. But since The Gambrinus Company of San Antonio bought Shiner, I have to go with a real Texas brewery, namely St. Arnolds.
Posted by: JB at April 7, 2004 03:12 PMI haven't really noticed any sort of fall-off in Shiner's quality, and they still brew it at the little old brewery. If they ever start brewing it under license elsewhere, then I might demote it.
You do have a point about Saint Arnolds (first time I saw it, appropriately, was when HEB opened their new Central Market in Plano). All their flavors are good, but the "Lawnmower" is my favorite. Great story printed on the bottle about the miracle of the never-dry beer mug at Saint Arnold's funeral procession, too.
Posted by: John Lanius at April 7, 2004 03:36 PMLone Star! Good lord, you may as well use Pabst Blue Ribbon, Coors, or Shaffer Light!
And with the recipe mentioned, to paraphrase Clara Peller, "Where's the heat?!".
Posted by: JP at April 7, 2004 03:40 PM1) Central Market rules.
2) If you haven't tried St Arnold's root beer yet you should, although a during a taste test with my friends we couldn't decide between that and IBC.
3) 3 tablespoons of chili powder might be a little weak; one recipe book I've got recommended 1 tablespoon plus 2 jalapenos. Hmm, chili for dinner sounds good.
Novelty meat? Never tried that in a chilli. I make do with grass-fed-beef. And Kangaroo, of course.
Posted by: Alan E Brain at April 8, 2004 11:07 AMAny chili not made with genuine road kill is not fit to eat. In fact, adding anything to road kill is a tragedy. All beer is good, provided the master doesn't catch you lapping from his can.
Posted by: Bill Bulldog at April 12, 2004 10:55 PM