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Beer Cheese Recipe

  • Author: Christine Pittman
  • Prep Time: 0 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

DESCRIPTION

This has become a go-to comfort food in our house because we always seem to have the ingredients. Eat it with slices of baguette, crackers, or broccoli and cauliflower florets. Once the dip is made you can reheat it in the microwave 30 seconds at a time, stirring after each round. Or warm it over low heat on the stove top. Yield 2 and ¾ cups.*


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
  • 3 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup milk, divided
  • 1/2 cup beer (a lager or an ale – your preference)
  • 1 tsp. Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper (plus more for garnish)
  • 3 cups shredded extra sharp Cheddar cheese

Instructions

  1. In a medium sauce pan over medium heat melt the better. Whisk in the flour.
  2. Take the pan off of the heat and whisk in 2 tablespoons of the milk until smooth. Then whisk in 2 more tablespoons. Add 1/4 cup of the milk and whisk that until smooth followed by the final 1/4 cup of milk.
  3. Stir in the beer, Dijon, garlic powder, salt, and cayenne. Return the pan to medium heat and stir until thick and bubbling, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat.
  4. Add the cheese one big handful at a time, whisking after each addition to melt it in. Taste and add more garlic, salt, and cayenne if desired. Garnish with a pinch more of cayenne.

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Notes

*I originally posted this recipe in 2015. That version was tasty but over the years I’ve tweaked it. The tweaked version is what is now written above. But in case you came here back in 2015 or 2016 and made this and loved it and want it exactly as it was then, I thought I should tell you what changes I have since made. The original recipe did not have any garlic powder in it, and it had only a pinch of cayenne. I think it is much better with the garlic and cayenne but if you like things a bit blander, go ahead and omit them.