I have been wanting (and waiting) to find a good chili recipe to add to my "keeper" file for a long while and this one could be it.... I liked the "sweet" taste, but my bf wasn't crazy about it (probably because he prefers his chili hot - and without beans!!!). I'll make this again, but only with a few changes. First, I will use half the amount of brown sugar called for (1/4 cup or maybe even 1/8 cup per other's suggestions), a hotter pepper (jalapenos aren't hot enough for us), maybe more seasoning (?), ground spicy sausage in place of or substituted for half of the beef (I heard sausage is good in chili) OR all cubed beef and only 1/2 to 2 cans of beans. I'm giving this recipe 4 stars because of all of the modifications that will be needed when I make it again. This goes particularly well with corn bread or Pillsbury's refrigerated bread sticks. Thanks for sharing!

This is an awesome chili! It has a nice, rich flavor. I wouldn't cut down on the sugar one bit. The sweetness offsets the heat of the peppers perfectly. I used two cans of kidney beans, a can of black beans, and a can of pinto beans. I also left out the serloin. Otherwise, I made it exactly as written, and it was fabulous. For the peppers, I chose two anaheim peppers and two jalepenos. This chili goes great with cornbread!

The flavor is unbelievably good. It's complex and delicious. Perfect, utterly perfect, chili for the whole family. I serve it over fritos with sharp cheddar cheese, and sour cream on top. Chili Pie! Won a office chili cook-off with this recipe!

I made this chili almost exactly as it is written except I didn't have dark beer so I used light. It was phenomenal!!! Everyone was raving about it and asking me for the recipe. It is worth all the time and ingredients! You will not be sorry.

I haven't tasted it myself, but made it for Superbowl Sunday. They were wiping the pot with bread to get the last bits. Never having made chili before I followed the recipe as best I could. Only used a couple of jalapenos but pretty much kept the rest. I will make this again.

This was good chilli - dont get me wrong - its just that I dont think it was better than normal chilli without the weird additions (ie beer, coffee, cocoa). My daughter wouldnt eat it - said it tasted weird - I liked it although there was an unusual flavour. If I made this again I would leave out the beer & coffee - I would still use the cocoa as it gives a smoothness to the sauce that I really liked.

This is the BEST chili ever. I have made it so many times. I use all steak, and no ground beef. Everyone LOVES it.

I am making this again because the first time it was ruined from all the sugar. Update: I made it again and it was not good. It had a tinny taste and the spices were not enough to cover that up. I guess my search for chili continues . . .

Wow, this turned out great! I cooked this in a crockpot on low overnight for a "soup" potluck at my work today. I made a couple of changes to it: I left out the beef broth completely (in the slow cooker it is not needed), used one large white onion, a little more sirloin, 3 teaspoons minced garlic, 2 Serrano chilies (one with seeds), half kidney - half pinto beans, 1/4 cup brown sugar, and everything else the same. (So not too different). I also used Guinness beer. While the beef, onions & garlic were cooking I threw everything else into the crockpot to mix it up and then dumped in the meat. It was the favorite "soup" of the day! Next time I'll use three or four chilies to add a bit more heat and make sure sour cream is handy for people who need to tame it. With two (and seeds) it had a slight after-burn but not enough for me. :) I had a bottle of habanero Tabasco sauce handy for anyone like me.

We participated in a chile cookoff last night using this recipe. We won first place! I have a coffee roasting business and we definitely wanted one that used coffee. Local businesses make up the teams and it is sponsored by our Chamber of Commerce. We made a roux with the coffee concentrate we use in our business and some flour before adding. Definitely a keeper! Thanks!

Excellent tasting chili. Used jalapenos instead of chili peppers. Added a half of red and green bell pepper. Used pork steak instead of sirloin. Chopped onions and jalepenos for a topping and shredded cheddar.

Fantastic chili. The use of cocoa and coffee give it great complexity. My only small suggestions. Next time, I will cut back on the brown sugar to 1/4 cup. I will also use a bit more spice. Specifically, I will add a 1/2 tsp "Texas Gunpowder" brand of dried jalepeno powder, and perhaps a generous sprinkle of chipotle chilis. (I actually already did this on 1st batch as it didn't taste spicy enough for my families palate. In summary. This chili rates 5 stars on two accounts. 1. It tastes great and 2. It is easy to prepare, without a lot of chili voodoo.

i made this chili for the super bowl and everyone loved it. the flavors are so deep and rich thanks to the beer, coffee and chocolate it's divine. i'm going to win the chili cookoff this year thanks to this recipe!!

I love this chili recipe! It's definitely different but in a good way. I added a can of corn, a green bell pepper and 3 jalapenos to mine for some more veggies. Makes plenty for leftovers and to freezer as well!

I followed the recipe exactly. I used Yuengling Black & Tan beer. I may add a little more heat or a little less sweet next time, but I'd also be satisfied if I made it again exactly the same way. This is the first thing I have made in the last year of living with my boyfriend that he has actually liked enough to take the leftovers to work the next day! I halved the recipe, but then I was jealous there weren't leftovers for me to take too!

Wow!!!!! This chili is fantastic!!!! I have been looking for a "good" chili recipe, and ecstatic to have found an amazing one. My fiance' hadn't even taken more than two bites, and was exclaiming over the taste. What's more, he took leftovers for lunch the next day, and said all his co-workers were drooling over the aroma that was coming from the microwave. Thanks for a great recipe that is now in my "keeper" file.