The Bold Way To Enjoy Beer Cheese That Turns Game Day Into A Gourmet Feast

When it comes to party favorites, homemade beer cheese hits the spot by offering a tangy, hoppy dip that is more complex than it sounds. Served with soft pretzel bites or pizza rolls, any beer cheese recipe can disappear fast on game day. For those who have experienced a batch of leftovers, beer cheese can be cleverly incorporated into a variety of recipes. One such approach – beer cheese soup – is so good that you may want to serve it alongside your usual line-up of appetizers and snacks.

Simply combine beer, cheese, milk, butter, and chicken broth, and you have the core elements needed to make this dish. Recipes can be customized with an assortment of sauces and spices, vegetables, seasonings, and extra cheese. This creamy offering can standalone or be the perfect companion to chicken wings, vegetable sticks, and toasted garlic bread. Winning bowls can be enhanced with garnishes like bacon bits, hot honey, or roasted pumpkin seeds. Popcorn or Saltines can also add salty, crunchy texture. This delicious and customizable recipe means that bowls can be confidently served for party goers to gussy up bowls to their liking. 

Beer soup is a recipe that lends to experimentation. Versions of beer soup can be traced to the 14th century, when cooks added cinnamon and sugar to pots. To keep recipes in a more savory lane, reach for cheddar or Colby or lean into creamier flavors by using Swiss or Emmental cheeses. Combining cheeses like sharp cheddar with Monterey Jack can also build depth of flavor. Though most recipes call for milk, you can use half-and-half to produce a more decadent recipe.

Though traditional versions of beer soup generally call for lager, craft brews and stouts can make for satisfying servings. Just be sure to use flattened beer so you get the taste of the brew without the textured foam. Also note that the more hops a beer has, the more bitter tasting your soup will be (so you may want to steer clear of IPAs while you're perfecting your recipe). Lastly, turn up the heat of the soup with your favorite hot sauce, cayenne pepper, or smoked paprika. Sauces like Worcestershire and Dijon mustard can pack even more flavor into your gourmet creation. You'll want to blend ingredients until smooth and pass out bowls with pride. You can start your beer cheese soup journey with our beer and cheddar soup recipe.