Best Beers To Make The Perfect Beer Cheese

Beer cheese is a combination of beer, cheese, and seasonings such as garlic and cayenne pepper. It is usually made with lager beer or similar lighter beers, but you can use any type of beer you like. The best cheeses for beer cheese are those with bold flavours and good meltability, such as sharp cheddar and nutty Gruyère. For the creamiest texture, it is best to grate the cheese yourself.

Beer and cheese pairings

When it comes to beer and cheese, some matches are tastier than others. The general principle for pairing is to look for balance. The biggest factor is weight or intensity. Trying to match a strong beer with a mild cheese, for example, probably won't work very well. Once you've chosen a cheese, narrow down the possible beer styles to those with a similar intensity. Then, hunt for complementary or contrasting flavours.

Wheat Beer and Aged Goat Cheese

Wheat ales have plenty of effervescence, which cuts through dense, cakey cheeses. They also have bright notes of citrus that complement the tangy flavour of goat cheese, creating a taste similar to lemon meringue pie. Try it with French Bucheron, Humboldt Fog, or Coupole.

Sour Ale and Fatty Cheese

Sour beers have a lot of funky acidity, which you can balance out with an indulgent, fatty cheese. Avoid tangy cheeses like feta and opt for cheeses that will leave your lips feeling slick, like double-cream brie, Mt. Tam, Burrata, or mascarpone.

American Lager and Cheese Spread

For a simple, satisfying pairing, pick up a cheap beer and some crackers, and open a tub of creamy cheese spread. Enjoy with abandon! Try it with Widmer's Brick Spread, pimento, or Merkt's Cheddar.

American Pale Ale and American Cheddar

American Pale ales are easy drinking, so pair them with something equally low-maintenance. The slight sweetness of the malts goes nicely with the tangy flavour of cheddar. Try it with Red Rock, Hook's Cheddar, and Shelburne Farms 2-year.

IPA and Clothbound Cheddar

The barny flavours in earthy clothbound cheddar mellow the bitter hops in an IPA and bring out the fruity bits. This creates a deliciously woodsy flavour experience. Try it with Montgomery's Cheddar, Willi's Bandaged Cheddar, and Cabot Clothbound Cheddar.

Belgian Ales and Washed Rinds

The yeasty, banana bread flavours in these robust ales calm the strong smell of washed rind cheeses. Belgians are also bold enough to stand up to the rich, custard textures. Together they create toasty, caramel notes that taste like crème brûlée. Try it with Époisses, Taleggio, and Grayson.

Best beers for beer cheese

Beer and cheese are a match made in heaven, but choosing the wrong brew can ruin the flavour. The key to a good beer cheese is balance. You want a milder-tasting brew that won't overpower the flavours of the cheese. So, it's best to avoid intensely flavoured beers like IPAs or stouts.

Wheat beers

Wheat beers, like German hefeweizens, are a good choice for beer cheese. They have a pleasantly bready taste but are also very crisp, with subtle fruity, sweet, and spiced undertones.

Lighter beers

When making beer cheese, it's generally best to go with a brew that has a light body and subtle flavour profile. Beers in the pilsner, blonde ale, and lager families are good options. For pilsners, American styles are best as they are less hoppy, milder, and less bitter than European varieties. Blonde ales from most places are light, malty, and refreshing, although some Belgian-style blonds can be overly hoppy. Lagers, such as Stella Artois, Pacifico, Sapporo, or Pabst Blue Ribbon, tend to be easy-drinking and work well in beer cheese.

Dark beers

Darker beers like stouts or brown ales will give your beer cheese a deeper flavour. However, keep in mind that IPAs don't work well in cooked dishes as the heat can make them taste bitterly.

Best cheeses for beer cheese

Beer and cheese are a match made in heaven, but it's important to get the combination just right. The key to a great beer cheese is balance, so it's best to avoid beers with intense flavours, as these can overpower the cheese. With that in mind, a milder-tasting brew is the best option.

Cheese Selection

When it comes to cheese, a good rule of thumb is to avoid medium or mild varieties, as these won't have enough flavour for the dip. Instead, opt for bold, sharp cheeses with lots of flavour. Sharp cheddar is a popular choice, and it pairs well with a variety of beers. Gruyere is another excellent option, as it melts smoothly and adds a nutty, slightly sweet flavour to the dip. For extra depth of flavour, consider adding a smoked cheese, like smoked gouda. Other cheeses that work well in beer cheese include pepper jack, colby, Swiss, and havarti.

Beer Selection

As for beer, it's best to avoid very bitter or strongly flavoured options like IPAs and stouts. Lighter beers, such as lagers, pilsners, and ales, tend to pair well with the bold flavours of the cheese. A German hefeweizen, a type of wheat beer with a pleasantly bready taste, is an excellent choice and pairs well with sharp cheddar and smoked gouda. If you're looking for a non-alcoholic option, a non-alcoholic beer will also work well in this recipe.

How to make beer cheese

Ingredients

Beer cheese is a combination of beer, cheese, and seasonings. The specific ingredients and their quantities can vary, but here is a general list:

• Butter
• Flour
• Beer (lager, pilsner, or IPA)
• Milk or half-and-half
• Dijon mustard
• Worcestershire sauce
• Garlic powder
• Smoked paprika
• Salt
• Cayenne pepper
• Cheese (sharp cheddar, Gruyère, or a combination)

Steps

• Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
• Add flour and whisk until a thick paste or roux forms.
• Slowly whisk in the beer and milk or half-and-half.
• Add the dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and cayenne pepper (if using). Whisk to combine.
• Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook until thickened.
• Reduce the heat to low and add the cheese a handful at a time, whisking until fully melted before adding more.
• Transfer the beer cheese to a serving bowl and sprinkle with fresh herbs (optional). Serve immediately with your choice of dippers.

Tips

• When choosing a beer, opt for a milder-tasting brew. Avoid strongly flavoured beers like IPAs or stouts, as they can overpower the cheese.
• Lager, pilsner, blonde ale, and German hefeweizen are good choices for beer cheese.
• For the cheese, a combination of sharp cheddar and Gruyère is recommended for a bold, complex flavour.
• Shred the cheese yourself instead of using pre-shredded cheese, as it melts better and creates a smoother sauce.
• You can make the beer cheese ahead of time and reheat it before serving.

What to dip in beer cheese

When it comes to what to dip in beer cheese, the possibilities are endless. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Carb-based Dippers

• Soft pretzel bites or sticks
• Bread, such as baguette slices, crusty bread, or artisan bread
• Crackers
• Tortilla chips
• Croutons
• Breadsticks
• Garlic knots
• Crostini rounds
• Pitas or pita chips
• Baguette slices
• Crusty bread

Vegetable Dippers

• Carrots
• Celery
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Peppers
• Roasted potatoes
• Fries

Fruit Dippers

• Apples
• Pears
• Grapes

Meat Dippers

• Pepperoni
• Steak bites
• Salami
• Sausage links
• Meatballs

And remember, there are no set rules when it comes to creating your beer cheese dip platter, so feel free to experiment and have fun with it!

Frequently asked questions