Football Soup

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound bacon, cut into 1/3-inch pieces
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
• 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
• 1/4 cup flour
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1 1/2 cups pilsner beer
• 2 cups chicken stock
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 6 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 4 ounces medium cheddar cheese, shredded
• 2 ounces pepper jack cheese, shredded
• salt, to taste
• freshly ground pepper, to taste
• chives, optional, to taste
• flat leaf parsley, optional, to taste