Who does not like beer cheese? After all, it is processed cheese goodness that can easily be spread on crackers. Moreover, it is most often enjoyed with our favorite liquid refreshment, namely cheap beer. And, to make it even better, beer cheese is often served for free at the higher end dive bar establishments.
One of our favorite places to get beer cheese is at Castle’s Patio Inn in Peoria, Illinois. There, they serve it to all bar patrons. You will also get a healthy dose of alien abduction and visitation stories from the regular bartender, who happens to be a big Coast to Coast Radio listener. Beer, cheese, and crazy talk, what more could you want?
Fortunately, you don’t have to trek all the way to Peoria to get a good beer cheese. You don’t even have to go to Johnny Allman’s restaurant in Clark County, Kentucky, which the state legislature designated as the official birthplace of beer cheese, where it was supposedly been served since sometime during WWII.
No, beer cheese is a delicious and easy snack to make at home. It’s also incredibly versatile, so you can make it with any type of cheap beer that you have on hand.
To make a simple beer cheese dip using a cheap beer, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup of your favorite cheap lager or pilsner beer
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
You can also add hot sauce, mustard, horseradish, and other spices of your choosing. Experimentation is key. Also try pairing the final beer cheese with different types of cheap beer!
Directions:
- In a medium bowl, combine the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, lager or pilsner beer, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder and onion powder until well blended.
- Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately with crackers or chips for dipping! Enjoy!
Saltines are the go-to dive bar staple pairing with beer cheese. But you can use fancy crackers, corn crackers (aka tortilla chips), vegetables, bread, or just about anything else. And you can serve beer cheese with any of your favorite cheap beers. Experiment and enjoy!
(the image above is by user Agentseven on Wikipedia)
