Kamil Perry
Beer cheese is a spread or dip made by combining cheese, beer, and various spices and seasonings. The cheese is typically shredded or melted, and the beer is flattened to avoid foaming. The dish is usually served with crackers, pretzels, or bread, and it can also be made into soup or used as a topping. While it can be made with various types of cheese and beer, the Kentucky version traditionally uses German lagers, and the cheese is often a blend of cheddar and other cheeses.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Ingredients | 3 |
| Main Ingredients | Spreadable cheddar cheese, cream cheese, and beer |
| Other Ingredients | Cayenne pepper, mustard powder, garlic, smoked paprika, dijon mustard, and oat milk |
| Beer Type | Lager-style beer or German lager |
| Texture | Smooth, stretchy, and melty |
| Colour | Orange |
| Serving Suggestions | Crackers, pretzels, celery, carrots, sliced bread, and burgers |
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Beer and cheese
Beer cheese is a smooth and creamy cheese dip or spread made by combining shredded or melted cheese with flattened beer and various spices and seasonings. It is a specialty of Kentucky, where it is widely consumed as a snack and served with crackers, soft pretzels, fresh artisan bread, or celery. The Kentucky version is traditionally prepared with German lagers, but modern iterations may use IPAs, stouts, or other craft brews.
The cheese used in beer cheese is typically a blend of cheddar and other cheeses, such as cream cheese, although some recipes call for processed cheese. The flattened beer contributes to the flavour and texture of the dip, and its use may have originated from leftover beer that had gone flat. When making beer cheese at home, it is recommended to let the beer go flat first to prevent excessive foaming.
Beer cheese can be served in a hollowed-out loaf of crusty bread, with the excess bread saved for dipping. It is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a dip with crackers, pretzels, or vegetable sticks, or incorporated into soups, grilled cheese sandwiches, or burgers. The spread can also be grated over spätzle, a German type of pasta.
When it comes to specific recipes, Sally's Baking Addiction offers a 15-minute beer cheese dip that includes lager-style beer, garlic, smoked paprika, Dijon mustard, and lots of cheddar cheese. This dip is especially tasty when served with homemade soft pretzels. For those seeking a spicier version, cayenne pepper can be added to the mix.
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Spices and seasonings
Beer cheese is a Kentucky specialty, typically served with crackers, carrots, celery sticks, or pretzels. It is traditionally made with German lagers, but today it is often made with IPAs, stouts, and other craft brews. The beer is usually flattened before use, as this helps to impart flavour and provides a smooth texture.
When it comes to spices and seasonings, cayenne pepper, mustard powder, honey mustard, and garlic are commonly used in beer cheese. The addition of these spices not only enhances the flavour but also adds a bit of heat and a savoury note to the overall profile. Some people also add dijon mustard and smoked paprika for an extra kick of flavour.
The type and amount of spices used can vary based on personal preference and the desired level of spiciness. Some people might prefer a milder version with just a hint of spice, while others might enjoy a more robust and spicy beer cheese. Experimenting with different combinations and amounts of spices can lead to a unique and personalised blend.
In addition to the spices, some people like to add milk or oat milk to their beer cheese. This can help to adjust the consistency and make it creamier. It's important to note that the type of beer used can also impact the flavour and texture of the final product, so choosing a favourite beer or experimenting with different varieties can be part of the fun of making beer cheese.
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Lager-style beer
Beer cheese is a delicious appetizer that is perfect for game day or any party. It is a combination of your favorite beer, cheese, and seasonings. The best beer for beer cheese is a light-colored beer with a strong flavor, such as a hoppy IPA, a lager-style beer, or a pilsner.
To make lager-style beer cheese, you will need the following ingredients:
- Lager-style beer
- Sharp cheddar cheese
- Butter
- Flour
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Cayenne pepper
- Salt
- Milk
- Mustard
- Worcestershire sauce
Here's a step-by-step guide to making lager-style beer cheese:
- Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
- Add flour, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and salt. Cook for about 1 minute.
- Slowly add lager-style beer and milk, whisking until smooth after each addition.
- Continue cooking over medium heat and add mustard and Worcestershire sauce. Cook until the mixture thickens and bubbles.
- Turn off the heat and add shredded sharp cheddar cheese. Stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Serve warm with your favorite dippers, such as pretzels, tortilla chips, or fresh vegetables.
Feel free to adjust the seasonings to your taste and add more or less of any ingredient to suit your preferences. You can also experiment with different types of lager-style beers to find the one that best suits your taste. Enjoy your homemade lager-style beer cheese!
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Cayenne pepper
The name "cayenne" is thought to derive from "kyynha", which means "capsicum" in the Old Tupi language once spoken in Brazil. The town of Cayenne in French Guiana may also have been named for the pepper, or for the Cayenne River. English botanist Nicholas Culpeper used the phrase "cayenne pepper" in 1652, while the city was only renamed Cayenne in 1777.
In the 19th century, cayenne peppers were classified as C. longum, later synonymised with C. frutescens. Cayenne powder, however, has generally been made from bird's eye peppers (C. minimum). Cayenne peppers are long, tapering, and skinny, mostly red-coloured peppers, often with a curved tip and a rippled skin. They hang from the bush, rather than growing upright. While most cayenne peppers are red, yellow and purple varieties exist, and yellow cayennes were common in the 19th century.
There are many cultivars of cayenne peppers, including Cow-horn, Cayenne Sweet, Cayenne Buist's Yellow, Golden Cayenne, Cayenne Carolina, Cayenne Indonesian, Joe's Long, Cayenne Large Red Thick, Cayenne Long Thick Red, Ring of Fire, Cayenne Passion, Cayenne Thomas Jefferson, Cayenne Iberian, Cayenne Turkish, Egyptian Cayenne, Cayenne Violet, and Numex Las Cruces Cayenne. Cayenne pepper is commonly used in cooking to add spice and flavour to dishes, either as a powder or in its whole form. It is also used as an herbal supplement.
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Mustard
Beer cheese is a spread or dip made with cheese, beer, and various spices and seasonings. While it can be made with many different types of cheese and beer, some recipes specifically call for mustard as an ingredient.
The spread is typically made with a spreadable cheddar cheese, a pack of cream cheese, and half a beer. The cream cheese and cheddar cheese spread are placed in a mixer, and beer is slowly added until the desired consistency is reached. The beer used is typically flattened or flat, as beer cheese was originally made with leftover beer that had gone flat. This helps to impart flavour and a smooth texture to the mixture.
Some recipes for beer cheese include mustard as one of the spices and seasonings added to the mixture. For example, one recipe includes dijon mustard, while another recommends honey mustard for extra sweetness.
Beer cheese can be served in a hollowed-out loaf of crusty bread, with crackers, pretzels, or vegetable sticks for dipping. It can also be made into a soup, stirred into other dips, or used as a topping on sandwiches, burgers, or spätzle.
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Frequently asked questions
Beer cheese is made out of three ingredients: spreadable cheddar cheese, cream cheese, and beer. It is typically served with crackers, pretzels, or bread.
Flat beer is traditionally used in beer cheese. This is because beer cheese was originally made with leftover beer that had gone flat. Lager-style beers are commonly used, but you can use your favorite variety.
In addition to the three main ingredients, you can add various spices and seasonings to beer cheese, such as garlic, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, mustard powder, or honey mustard.
Beer cheese is said to have originated in Kentucky in the 1930s as a salty snack served at bars. It is widely popular in Kentucky and is typically served with Saltine-style crackers, carrots, and celery sticks.
