It Goes Down Like Fire And Ice

For the barfly who thinks it’s macho to gulp down the worm in the tequila bottle, an Arizona brewer has a new challenge: Chili beer.

He’s found plenty of takers.

Ed Chilleen’s Black Mountain Brewing Co. sold 5,000 cases of Cave Creek Chili Beer when it first hit the market in 1991. Now the fiery brew is sold in all 50 states and eight countries, and sales topped 240,000 cases last year, according to an industry group.

Each clear longneck bottle has a pointed green chili about the size of a man’s little finger floating inside, stem and all.

The taste? Like beer and chili pepper.

“It’s a tough thing to drink,” said Teresa Farley, a 26-year-old Tucson resident who picked up a bottle at the grocery store out of curiosity. “It’s so spicy it hurts.”