Eating beer cheese with warm pretzels is absolutely my favorite appetizer. Which is why I was inspired to start making my own beer cheese. It is the perfect cheesy appetizer. This white cheddar beer cheese is creamy, cheesy, and so, so good. You can use it as a dip for pretzels, chips, veggies, or anything else you want to dip in it. You could even use it as a sauce on pizza dough. This recipe is great because its so easy, the whole recipe is done in 15 minutes, and only really requires a saucepan and a whisk!
What kind of beer should I use for beer cheese?
You can use any beer you like, and different beers will product a different depth of flavor. I like using IPA's in this because its a lighter flavor than a darker beer, but this is really a personal preference thing. You can even use a non-alcoholic beer to get the flavor without the alcohol. This particular beer cheese recipe is inspired by my trips to Rehoboth Beach Delaware, where my parents live and also where the Dogfish Head brewery has a restaurant. They have this delicious 90 minute IPA cheddar sauce they make from their beer, and it's favorite things to eat there. I use their 60 minute IPA in my recipe most of the time that I make this recipe, and it works out great.
Steps to making this recipe
- Melt the butter and whisk in the flour until thickened.
- Add in the milk while whisking until thickened.
- Whisk in the beer until smooth and simmer until thick.
- Whisk in the cheese until smooth.
- Add dijon, salt and pepper.
- Serve hot with dippers of your choice.
Can I change the cheese in this white cheddar beer cheese recipe?
The cheese used in this recipe is sharp white cheddar. I chose this cheese because it has a robust, tangy flavor that pairs well with the bitterness of beer, creating a balanced and rich taste. Cheddar also goes really well with a variety of beers, from light lagers to dark stouts. Some other options you could try instead of cheddar are Gruyere, Gouda, Fontina, Monterey Jack, or Pepper Jack. Whatever cheese you use, make sure that you freshly shred it rather than buying it pre-shredded. Pre-shredded cheeses you buy at the store frequently contain stabilizers and preservatives that make the cheese not melt as well so your beer cheese might end up clumpy.
White Cheddar Beer Cheese
Delicious beer cheese you can serve with pretzels, veggies, or anything else you want
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 2 cups 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
2 tablespoons flour
2 tablespoons butter
⅔ cup whole milk
½ cup beer
2 cups freshly shredded sharp white cheddar cheese
1 tablespoon dijon mustard
¼ teaspoon salt
⅛ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
In a large saucepan over medium heat melt butter. Once melted, whisk in flour and continue to whisk until a thick roux forms.
Slowly add the milk while whisking constantly to avoid clumps.
Allow the sauce to simmer and milk to come to a boil, then whisk until the sauce thickens.
Whisk in the ½ cup beer, let simmer on low until sauce thickens again.
Add the shredded cheese and whisk until cheese melts into the sauce.
Whisk in the dijon mustard and salt and pepper.
Serve hot with dippers of your choice
