NOTE: This makes far more than a small family can use in one meal. Yes, you can buy it at a store with lower sodium, but I guarantee this is MUCH lower. And it isn't that difficult to make.
- One beef brisket, roughly 4 pounds
- 12 ounces (one bottle) of dark beer
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 tsp mustard seeds
- 1-1/2 tsp black peppercorns
- 8 whole cloves
- 12 juniper berries
- 2 bay leaves
- 1-1/2 tsp dill seeds
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp ground allspice
- 5 cardamom seeds
- 1 tsp ground mace
- Place the brisket in a large pot. (If you have a slow cooker, you can use this too and cook lower and slower.)
- Mix the beer, sugar, and spices in a large bowl.
- Pour the beer-and-spice mixture over the brisket.
- Add water to cover.
- Bring to a boil over high heat.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low.
- Cover and cook until the meat is tender to the fork (about 2.5 to 3 hours).
- Remove the brisket, leaving the liquid and spices behind.