Best Cheddars For A Hearty Beer Cheese Soup

Beer cheese soup is a rich, creamy, and indulgent dish that is surprisingly easy to make at home. The key to a great beer cheese soup is in the choice of cheese and beer. For the cheese, a high-quality sharp cheddar is the best option, as its bold flavour, colour, and fat content are perfect for this hearty soup. Medium cheddar can also be used for a milder, sunnier colour. As for the beer, a lighter beer like a lager will result in a lighter flavour, while a darker beer will have a stronger flavour and add more bitterness. It's important to avoid very hoppy beers as they can make the soup too bitter. Instead, sweeter, maltier beers like German beers are a great choice.

Sharp cheddar for tang and colour

Sharp cheddar is the best cheese to use in beer cheese soup. Its tangy yet smooth flavour stands up to the malty notes of the beer, and it pairs well with the sweetness of the vegetables and the savouriness of the chicken stock. Sharp cheddar's deep, bold colour is also visually appealing and absorbs the colour contributions of the other ingredients.

The fat content, consistency, piquant flavour, and colour of sharp cheddar are perfect for this hearty soup. Cheddar cheeses are great melting cheeses, and if you follow the right recipe instructions, the cheese will not separate.

For the best results, grate the cheddar while it is still chilled, and then let it come to room temperature before adding it to the soup. This will ensure that the cheese melts smoothly and evenly into the soup.

Medium cheddar for a milder flavour and a lighter colour

Medium cheddar is a great choice for beer cheese soup if you want a milder flavour and a lighter colour. It is milky and mild, and will give your soup a sunny hue.

When making beer cheese soup, it's important to choose a high-quality cheese with a bold flavour. Medium cheddar is a good option as it has a high-fat content, which facilitates the absorption of the cheese into the soup. It also reheats well, so you can enjoy your soup for longer.

When it comes to the beer, it's best to choose a light-coloured beer such as a lager, pilsner, or blonde ale. Avoid bitter, hoppy beers like IPAs, as they can be too bitter and introduce the wrong flavours. Instead, opt for a maltier beer, which will complement the cheese and other ingredients nicely.

To make your soup, start by cooking some bacon until crispy, then set it aside. Next, sauté your vegetables in the bacon drippings until they are tender. Add flour and cook for a minute, then slowly whisk in the beer and broth. Add your remaining ingredients, except for the cheese, and cook until bubbly. Finally, remove from the heat and stir in your cheese until the soup is smooth. Serve with extra bacon on top and some crusty bread on the side.

Enjoy your delicious, creamy, and cheesy soup!

Spicy Jack cheddar for extra flavour

When making beer cheese soup, the type of cheddar you use can make a big difference to the overall flavour. One option to consider is Spicy Jack Cheddar, which will add an extra kick to your soup.

Spicy Jack Cheddar is a variety of Monterey Jack, a semi-hard cheese made from cow's milk with a mild flavour and slight sweetness. It is a Californian cheese, originating in Monterey, on the Central Coast of California, and is believed to date back to the early 19th century.

Spicy Jack Cheddar, also known as Pepper Jack, is flavoured with chilli peppers, bell peppers, and herbs, giving it a spicy kick. It is a versatile cheese that is commonly used in dishes such as quesadillas, burritos, and grilled cheese sandwiches. Its good melting quality also makes it suitable for some pasta dishes.

When making beer cheese soup with Spicy Jack Cheddar, you can expect a soup with a spicy twist. The cheese will add a nice sharpness and depth of flavour to the soup. The spiciness of the cheese will be enhanced by the beer, creating a warm and comforting dish.

To make the most of the Spicy Jack Cheddar in your beer cheese soup, here are some tips:

• Use a full-bodied beer to balance the spiciness of the cheese. A darker beer or stout will add more robust flavours to the soup.
• Don't shy away from adding other spices and seasonings to the soup. Cayenne pepper, black pepper, and fresh or dried herbs can complement the spiciness of the cheese.
• Consider serving the soup with crispy garlic cheese toasts or croutons made with Spicy Jack Cheddar. This will further enhance the flavour of the soup and provide a delicious textural contrast.
• If you want to balance the spiciness, use a sweeter beer, such as a German beer or an Irish Ale. The sweetness will help to temper the heat from the cheese.

Hoppy beers will make the soup bitter

When making beer cheese soup, it's important to consider the type of beer you'll be using. While the beer's flavour gets concentrated as it cooks, you still want to pick one that you enjoy. It's generally recommended to stick with a light to medium-bodied beer that won't overpower the taste of the other ingredients, like smoked cheddar, bacon, and jalapeño.

Hoppy beers, which are beers with a strong bitterness, should be avoided when making beer cheese soup as they will make the soup bitter. Hops are what give beer its bitterness, and the higher the alpha acid percentage of the hops, the more bitter the beer will be. Hoppy beers tend to have alpha acid percentages of 7% or higher, while mild hops are usually around 3.5%.

If you do want to use a hoppy beer in your soup, be aware that the final dish is likely to be bitter. To somewhat counteract the bitterness of the hops, you can try adding ingredients like caramelized onions, heavy cream, salt, lemon juice, sugar, or sour cream. However, keep in mind that these ingredients may not be enough to completely mask the bitterness, as one person who used a hoppy pale ale in their beer cheese soup found that these ingredients did not help.

To avoid making a bitter soup, it's best to stick with sweeter, maltier beers, as these tend to be the most complementary to the other ingredients in the soup. German beers are a great choice.

Lighter beers, like lager, are better

When making beer cheese soup, it's important to consider the type of beer you use, as it can significantly impact the flavour of the dish. While you can use any kind of beer, from lager to stout, a lighter beer will result in a lighter soup.

Lager is an ideal choice for beer cheese soup, as it has a lower bitterness and a more delicate flavour that won't overpower the other ingredients. Its mild taste complements the sharpness of the cheddar cheese, creating a well-balanced dish. Additionally, the carbonation in lager helps to lighten the texture of the soup, making it more refreshing and easier to enjoy.

When selecting a lager for your beer cheese soup, opt for a variety with a solid malty backbone or a well-balanced flavour profile. Toasty, biscuity, and bready notes will integrate seamlessly with the other ingredients. German Helles, Dunkel, and Vienna lager are excellent choices, providing a subtle bitterness that enhances the overall flavour of the soup.

It's worth noting that while lager works well, you can also experiment with other light beers, such as pilsners or German bocks. The key is to avoid overly bitter beers, like IPAs, as they can overpower the delicate balance of flavours in the soup.

By choosing a lighter beer like lager, you can create a beer cheese soup that is both flavourful and refreshing. The mild flavour of lager enhances the sharpness of the cheddar, and its carbonation adds a pleasant lightness to the dish. So, the next time you're whipping up a batch of beer cheese soup, reach for a crisp lager to create a perfectly balanced and satisfying meal.

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