Submitted by GSR
The annual Grand Sierra Beer & Chili Festival this past weekend capped off another weekend ushering in a new festival format featuring an even greater variety of award-winning chilis and brews from across the West.
More than 8,000 attendees visited the festival grounds at the Grand Sierra Resort & Casino. Food lovers sampled from nearly two dozen chili varieties ranging from traditional chili styles, Mexican-style chili verdes, French-style cassoulets, Indian-flavored curry chili and Asian-influenced chili with noodles.
Chili chefs competed to win over the palates of festival-goers and celebrity judges. Sunday’s finalists included GSR’s Grand Café, Jazmin’ Express, Reno Aces Baseball Club & Reno 1868 FC and Sierra Smokehouse Pub & Grill. Reno Aces Baseball Club & Reno 1868 FC took home top honors as the judge’s selection adding to their accolades as Saturday’s “People’s Choice” award winner.
A $1,000 grand prize was awarded to the restaurant to donate to the charity of their choice, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. “People’s Choice” award winner for Sunday was Four Peaks Brewing Company out of Tempe, Ariz. while the Belching Beaver Brewery out of Vista, Calif. was once again named crowd favorite for brews.
The annual Grand Sierra Beer & Chili Festival takes place each Fall. In addition to chili and brews, the event features a festive entertainment lineup and local artisan retail vendors.
