Ingredients
6 cups (2 1/2 pounds) dried pinto beans
1 pound bacon
2 onions, cut into 1/4-inch dice
4 teaspoons chili powder
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/4 cups firmly packed light-brown sugar
2 12-ounce bottles dark beer
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Preparation
In a stockpot or Dutch oven, cover beans with cold water by 6 inches. Soak 8 hours or overnight.
In a heavy skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon, and set aside.
Pour off all but 3 tablespoons fat. Add onions, chile powder, and garlic; saute stirring, until onions are soft, about 5 minutes.
Drain beans. Return to stockpot; cover with water by 2 inches. Crumble bacon into small pieces; add to beans with onion mixture, sugar, and beer. Cook, covered, over medium-high heat; stir occasionally, until beans are soft and liquid is almost absorbed, about 2 1/2 hours. Season with salt and pepper and serve warm.
