Festival season in Austin always means that every other weekend you can usually find a mass gathering somewhere around town. We recently ventured into the fiery depths of the 25th annual Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Festival, appropriately staged each year during the sweltering month of August.
This post was brought to you by PhatFoodies.com!
In case you missed it, here’s a list of the sauces that we couldn’t, and you shouldn’t, live without…
10) Castaway Sauce Company Blackbeard’s Revenge
photo by Courtney “Tex” Clark
Bar none, the hottest sauce I had at the festival. If you fancy yourself a spice freak, you’d be hard pressed to find a sauce spicier.
Works on: A toothpick.
9) Damn Good Heat Habanero Garlic
photo by Courtney “Tex” Clark
Crazy Hot and Crazy Delicious. Prominent Garlic flavor before and after.
Works on: Salty tortilla chips.
8) Gypsy Grove Spicy Chimichurri
photo by Courtney “Tex” Clark
Quite possibly the most unique sauce at the festival. Calling it “Hot Sauce” May even be a bit of a stretch, but it packs enough punch to be mentioned.
Works on: Pita chips and hummus.
7) Trezaratti’s Salsa Marinara
photo by Courtney “Tex” Clark
Really strong mash-up of Italian and Tex Mex Flavors.
Works on: Bruschetta.
6) Salsa Maya Habanero Aioli
photo by Courtney “Tex” Clark
A really interesting take on a creamy staple. Even so, not for the novice.
Works on: Well-done steak.
5) Yellowbird Serrano
photo by Courtney “Tex” Clark
I’ve known of Yellowbird’s exploits for awhile now, but was awestruck after tasting the Serrano. A bit milder than their original Habanero Sauce, and just as good.
Works on: Carne asada or al pastor tacos.
4) Aztexan Pepper Habanero Sauce
photo by Courtney “Tex” Clark
On the hotter side of habanero, not for the faint of heart. Even so, it’s still quite complex and flavorful.
Works on: Eggs over easy.
3) Hobo Jim’s Morning Wrecker Molasses
photo by Courtney “Tex” Clark
I wanted to dismiss this sauce as gimmicky. I was wrong. Kind of salty, kind of sweet, all the way hot, and all the way awesome.
Works on: Pieces of brisket.
2) Winston’s Jamaican Hot Pepper Sauce
photo by Courtney “Tex” Clark
A complex array of flavors, but delivers a very direct, and very good heat all the way through.
Works on: Chicken nachos
1) Kala’s Kuisine Ledho-Achar
photo by Courtney “Tex” Clark
This sauce brings intense Mediterranean flare with a smoky aftertaste. The Achar had more flavor than spice, but nonetheless is a great edition to any arsenal of sauces. You won’t find this on their website for purchase though! Check the stores instead.
Works on: Grilled chicken breast or sautéed vegetables.
——
Editor’s note: Here’s the official list of winners from The Austin Chronicle. Thanks for another great festival, gang!
