Smoke It: Montreal Meatballs With Maple-Mustard Sauce

Ingredients

• 1 hamburger bun or 2 slices white bread
• 1/3 cup buttermilk or milk
• 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil
• 1 slice artisanal bacon
• 1 small onion
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 or 2 canned chipotle chilies
• 3 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro or flat-leaf parsley
• 2 pounds ground pork
• Coarse salt (sea or kosher) and freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup Dijon mustard
• 1/2 cup cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup dark beer (preferably Canadian)
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup (preferably dark amber)
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar, or to taste