Beer Cheese Dip for Pretzels

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When most people hear “cheese,” they think of wine, but beer and cheese can be an equally delicious match! Enter: Beer Cheese Dip. It’s a little different than my other cheesy dips (Blue Cheese Dip, Whipped Burrata, & Whipped Ricotta), but I promise it’s just as delicious! This crowd-pleasing is perfect as a game day snack and/or appetizer for fall festivities. It’s basically cheese fondue infused with the flavors from your favorite brew! 

Pair it with my Crudite Platter, Pretzel Board, Meatball Board, BBQ Chicken Board, Cheesy Pull Apart Bread, and Salami Chips. For more great snack ideas, check out my other Dip Recipes. 

How To Make Beer Cheese

Ingredients

• ¼ cup unsalted butter

• ¼ cup all purpose flour

• ¾ teaspoon garlic powder

• ¾ teaspoon onion powder

• ½ teaspoon mustard powder

• ¼ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

• ¾ cup milk

• 1 cup beer of your choice

• 2 cups grated cheddar

• 1 cup grated gruyere

• Pretzels, for serving

Directions

• In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the flour and stir constantly until a wet, sand-like texture forms, 3-5 minutes. Stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, mustard powder, and Worcestershire sauce; cook for another 30 seconds. Add the milk and beer and whisk until smooth. Bring to a simmer and cook until thickened, 30-60 seconds more.

• Add a third of the cheddar and gruyere cheeses; whisk until melted and fully incorporated, about 1 minute. Repeat with remaining cheese.

• Serve in a bowl with pretzels on the side for dipping.

What Is Beer Cheese?

Not to be confused with pub cheese (a spreadable cheese sometimes made with beer), beer cheese is not so much a cheese as it is a mixture of cheeses, usually cheddar being one of them. As you can see in my recipe, there is indeed beer in it too (though most of the alcohol will cook off)! The beer brings out the umami flavors of the cheese and is also a great way to include some of the flavors from your favorite brew! Traditionally, beer cheese is made with flat pilsner-style beers and served cold, but this recipe is meant to be served warm—hello, ooey gooey cheese pulls! 

Video How-To 

@ainttooproudtomeg

BEER + CHEESE: super easy recipe. Find my blog link in the bio. #beercheese #cheesetok #learnfromme #gamedayfood

♬ 2 Be Loved (Am I Ready) – Lizzo

What to Dip in Homemade Beer Cheese

In addition to pretzels, here are some other fun things to dip in beer cheese:

• Soft pretzels

• Toasted baguette

• Tortilla chips

• Smoked sausage or bratwurst 

• Firm veggies (think celery, carrots, & broccoli)

• Salami Chips

Best Beer for Beer Cheese

Traditionally, beer cheese was made with leftover, flat beer (waste not, want not!), but nowadays you can make it with your favorite style. For milder flavor, go with a lager or pilsner-style (like I did!). If you love hoppy flavor, go with your favorite IPA! Feeling festive? Try a pumpkin ale. There really is no right or wrong beer … just be aware that the stronger the beer, the more you’ll taste it!

Show Me Your Dips

I hope this post inspires you to make this recipe. Nothing makes me happier than seeing the beautiful spreads and snacks you create from my tips. If you make something inspired by this post, please tag me at @ainttooproudtomeg so I can see and share! 

And, If you liked this recipe, please rate and review.

Photos by my friends at Salt Worth Creative, who also shot The Cheese Board Deck.