Texas BBQ Braised Beef Brisket

INGREDIENTS

• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 5 thick slices bacon, coarsely chopped (about 6 ounces)
• 6 cups wood chips, preferably hickory or mesquite
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 medium onion, minced
• 1 (5 to 6-pound) piece beef brisket, preferably point cut, fat trimmed
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt, plus additional for seasoning
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
• 12 ounces lager or amber beer
• 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper, plus additional for seasoning
• 10 cloves garlic, minced
• 3/4 cup cider vinegar
• 1 (28-ounce) can tomato puree
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1/4 cup sweet Hungarian paprika
• 4 cups water
• 2 ribs celery, minced
• 1/4 cup yellow mustard
• 3 ancho chiles, stemmed, seeded, and chopped
• 4 canned chipotle chiles in adobo sauce, minced