Big Rail Chili Cook Off

  • September 14, 2025 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

  • Big Rail Brewing

    2158 Mercer Butler Pike
    Grove City, Pennsylvania 16127
This event is now over
Description

Enjoy a day full of beer, chili, music and fires!

Does your chili have what it takes to bring home the grand prize?

Event Proceeds benefit Grove City United Way. Feel free to add a donation to your entry fee!

GRAND PRIZE:

  • $250 cash prize and your entry fee refunded
  • A pouch of Big Rail Beer Chips (each chip good for a free pint)
  • Prizes for 2nd and 3rd place will also be awarded.

Contestants:

We're limiting this year to 15 contestants. Contestant ticket sales will be cut off one week before the event.

Please set up between 10am-1pm.

As a contestant you will be required to provide the following:

  • Someone to serve your creation
  • Serving and heating equipment. Bring your own serving untensils.
  • Garnishes to accompany your chili at your own discretion.
  • Anything you need for cleanup.

Your chili must be cooked and preferably still warm prior to arrival. During cooking process, chili must be kept at 170° for at least one hour, and please maintain a serving temperature of 140°F.

Big Rail will Provide the following:

  • Power for crock pots (however it would help if you can bring a self contained heat source such as a Sterno or small propane burner)
  • Bowls, spoons and napkins
  • Sample cups
  • Ballots for voting
  • Signage with your chili’s number
  • Table
  • Crackers

Tasters:

Tasting starts at 2pm. A taster ticket allows you to sample all the chili your heart desires, crackers to cleanse your palate between chilis, cast a vote for your favorite, and fill up a bowl to enjoy! Taster tickets will also be available the day of the event.

Date & Time

Sun, Sep 14, 2025 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Venue Details

Big Rail Brewing

2158 Mercer Butler Pike
Grove City, Pennsylvania 16127 Big Rail Brewing
Big Rail Brewing Co.

The Funky Little Brewery in the Woods.

Big Rail Brewing is a microbrewery, taproom, and outdoor event venue nestled in the woods of western Pennsylvania.

Stretch your legs across acres of beautiful outdoor space.

Relax and sip micro brews of every color, from rich stouts and hoppy IPAs to crisp cream ales and refreshing lagers.

Enjoy crackling camp fires, top-notch concerts, yard games, and hearty meals from the best local food trucks.

Sit back and socialize from the comfort of our brand new tap room & brewery building.

Always family and leashed-pet friendly. Rain or shine. Shelter is limited, so dress for the weather.

Blue Collar Born & Brewed.

Big Rail is a nickname for 155-pound and 152-pound rail — made incredibly strong to handle the immense weight of ore and coal carried through Pennsylvania’s old-growth forests, across her mighty rivers, and over her foreboding mountains. Likewise, Big Rail Brewing was forged in the wilds of Pennsylvania, and we brew our beer to honor all of the unseen blue collar tradespeople who hold up the immense weight of modern civilization.

Questions?

Please check out our concert FAQs first.

If your question isn't answered there, please don't hesitate to contact us.