In a 6-quart Dutch oven, combine beans and the 6 cups water. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer for 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Cover and let stand for 1 hour. (Or place beans in 6 cups water in pan. Cover and let soak in a cool place for 6 to 8 hours or overnight.) Drain and rinse beans.

Return beans to Dutch oven. Add the 8 cups water, the wine or broth, sweet pepper, onion, tomato, garlic, and chile pepper. Bring to boiling; add beef brisket and ham hock. Return to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer about 1 1/2 hours or until beans and meat are tender. Remove ham hock; set aside to cool. Mash beans slightly. Add potato to bean mixture. Return to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer about 15 minutes more or until potato is tender. When ham is cool enough to handle, cut meat from bone; discard bone. Cut ham into bite-size pieces; stir into bean mixture. Stir in salt and black pepper.

Because chile peppers contain volatile oils that can burn your skin and eyes, avoid direct contact with them as much as possible. When working with chile peppers, wear plastic or rubber gloves. If your bare hands do touch the peppers, wash your hands and nails well with soap and warm water.

Prepare through Step 3 up to 2 days ahead. Cover and chill up to 48 hours. Continue as directed from Step 4.