Recipes Appetizers Dips & Spreads Cheese Dips Beer Cheese Be the first to rate & review! Serve this tangy, spicy spread at picnics, tailgates, and any time you want a savory snack. By Hank White Hank White Hank White is a 5th-generation Kentuckian and avid cook and host. Food & Wine's Editorial Guidelines Published on May 13, 2024 Tested by Food & Wine Test Kitchen Tested by Food & Wine Test Kitchen Recipes published by Food & Wine are rigorously tested by the culinary professionals at the Dotdash Meredith Food Studios in order to empower home cooks to enjoy being in the kitchen and preparing meals they will love. Our expert culinary team tests and retests each recipe using equipment and ingredients found in home kitchens to ensure that every recipe is delicious and works for cooks at home every single time. Meet the Food & Wine Test Kitchen Save Rate PRINT Share Close Photo: Food & Wine / Photo by Jason Donnelly / Food Styling by Holly Dreesman / Prop Styling by Addelyn Evans Active Time: 10 mins Total Time: 10 mins Servings: 8 Yield: 2 cups Jump to recipe Beer cheese is a dip that is especially popular in Kentucky (where it is the focus of a food festival), and is especially popular at tailgates and other parties. As is the case with many classic recipes, variations on the recipe for beer cheese differ by household. At his home in Lexington, Kentucky, Hank White uses a purchased sharp cheddar cheese spread as the base of his beer cheese. We adapted his recipe to use a combination of grated cheddar and cream cheese instead, but if you prefer, use cheese spread instead of the grated cheddar and cream cheese, and cut back the amount of Worcestershire sauce by half; you can always add more if needed. Frequently Asked Questions How do you make beer cheese? Beer cheese is simple to prepare; simply blend cheese with flat beer seasoned with garlic powder, cayenne pepper, hot sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. Use any kind of beer you like; this recipe calls for a pale ale, but some people prefer a stout for a richer flavor. What kind of cheese goes into beer cheese? We like sharp cheddar cheese for the flavor it gives this dip. Grate the cheese yourself instead of using packaged shredded cheese, which is dusted with cornstarch to keep the shreds of cheese separate while in the package. The cornstarch impedes the cheese from melding with the other ingredients in the spread. What is the difference between beer cheese and pub cheese? Beer cheese and pub cheese are similar, but pub cheese doesn’t always include beer in the recipe. Both are savory cheddar cheese-based spreads seasoned with garlic powder and Worcestershire sauce and are often served with pretzels. Notes from the Food & Wine Test Kitchen You need the beer to be stale or flat to make this spread. Leave it out overnight or microwave it for 30 seconds to kill some of the carbonation. Cook Mode (Keep screen awake) Ingredients 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder 1 1/2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 1 drop hot sauce (such as Tabasco) 2/3 cup flat pale ale (see note) 16 ounces grated yellow sharp cheddar cheese 2 ounces cream cheese, room temperature 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper Chopped chives for garnish Pretzels and vegetables for serving Directions Combine garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce in a bowl. Pour in beer and mix until combined. In the bowl of a food processor, combine the cheddar cheese, cream cheese, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Pour 1/3 of the beer mixture into the cheese mixture and process until combined, about 30 seconds. With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in half of the remaining beer mixture, processing until the dip is thick and smooth, about 30 seconds. Check the dip’s consistency, and add the remaining beer as needed (you may not use all of the beer), and more hot sauce if desired. Garnish the beer cheese with chives and serve at room temperature with crackers, pretzels, and fresh vegetables. Rate It Print