Instructions

1. Combine 3 tablespoons salt, 4 quarts of water and beans in a Dutch oven and bring to a boil over high heat. Remove the pot from the heat and cover. Let stand for 1 hour. Drain, rinse well and set aside.
2. Adjust an oven rack to the lower-middle position and preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Place anchos in a 12-inch skillet, set over medium-high heat and toast, stirring frequently until fragrant, about 4-6 minutes. Reduce the heat if chiles begin to smoke. Transfer to a food processor and let cool before processing. Do not wash out the skillet.
3. Add arbols, cornmeal, oregano, cumin, cocoa, and 1/2 teaspoons salt to food processor with toasted anchos and process until finely ground, about 2 minutes. With the processor running, slowly add 1/2 cup broth until a smooth paste forms, about 45 seconds. Scrape down the sides of the bowl if necessary. Transfer paste to a small bowl and set aside. Place the onions in the empty food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped, about 4 pulses. Add jalapenos and pulse until it is the consistency of chunky salsa, about 4 pulses. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as necessary.
4. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in the Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the onion mixture and cook stirring occasionally until the moisture has evaporated and the vegetable are softened, about 7 to 9 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add chile paste, tomatoes and molasses and stir to combine. Add 2 cups chicken broth and the drained beans and bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
5. Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon of oil in the now empty skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Pat the beef dry with paper towels and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of salt. Add half of the beef to the skillet and cook until it is browned on all sides, about 10 minutes. Transfer the beef to the Dutch oven. Add 3/4 cup of beer to the skillet and scrape up the browned bits from the bottom of your pan and bring to a simmer. Transfer the beer to the Dutch oven. Repeat this process with the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil, remaining beef and remaining 3/4 cup of beer. Stir and return the mixture to a simmer.
6. Cover the Dutch oven and transfer to the oven. Cook until the meat and beans are fully tender, about 1 1/2 -2 hours. Let the chili stand, uncovered for 10 minutes. Stir, season with salt if necessary and serve.