Beer Cheese Dip
This homemade beer cheese dip gets its bold, hoppy bite from IPA and extra-sharp cheddar, and it's ready in 20 minutes. Serve it with pretzels, spoon it over loaded nachos, or set it out with your other game day food favorites.
Best beer cheese recipe
Beer cheese is a warm, thick dip made by melting sharp cheddar into a beer-based sauce. Mine starts with a quick roux. It comes out smooth and creamy every time, not grainy or thin. A hoppy IPA balances the extra-sharp cheddar, and with no milk or heavy cream, the beer and cheese carry all the flavor.
It's a fixture on our game day table. If you love this flavor combination, try our Beer Cheese Soup and Buffalo Chicken Dip too.
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Ingredients you'll need
- IPA: bold, slightly bitter, stands up to sharp cheddar. More on choosing a beer below.
- Extra-sharp cheddar: strongest flavor against the beer. Buy a block and shred it yourself. It melts smoother.
- Cream cheese: rich, creamy texture. Use full-fat.
- Butter and flour: a quick roux for thickness and a silky finish.
👉 see recipe card below for exact quantities.
🍺 Best beer for this dip
The beer sets the flavor of the whole dip, so choose it for the crowd you're feeding.
- IPA (my go-to): bold and hoppy, with a slight bitterness. The pick for a dip with real character.
- Lager: smoother and more subtle. A safe bet for anyone who doesn't love bitter beer.
- Non-alcoholic beer: works just as well if you'd rather skip the alcohol.
🔪 Top tip
With no milk or heavy cream, this dip is thick enough to double as a cheese sauce. Spread it on burgers and sandwiches, or spoon it over fries.
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How to make beer cheese
- Build a quick roux. Melt the butter over medium heat, then whisk in the flour. Let it cook for about a minute to take away the raw flour taste and give the dip its body.
- Whisk in the beer. Pour it in slowly and keep whisking. Adding it gradually prevents lumps, so the base is silky before the cheese goes in.
- Melt in the cheese. Add the cream cheese, cheddar, garlic, and paprika. Whisk until everything melts into a thick, smooth dip, about 5 minutes.
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Make ahead and storage
- Make ahead: up to 1 day in advance.
- Store: in an airtight container in the fridge for 4 to 5 days.
- Reheat: low heat on the stovetop or in the microwave, stirring often. Add a splash of beer or milk if it's too thick.
- Don't freeze: the texture separates.
FAQ
Beer cheese is a warm, thick dip made by melting sharp cheddar into a beer-based sauce. Mine uses IPA, extra-sharp cheddar, and cream cheese, thickened with a quick butter-and-flour roux and seasoned with garlic and dark paprika.
It's made with beer, and some alcohol can remain after cooking. If you're serving anyone who avoids alcohol, non-alcoholic beer works just as well.
Soft pretzel bites and tortilla chips are the classics. Fresh veggies work too, and it's just as good spread on a burger.
It isn't as written. The flour in the roux and most beers contain gluten.
It's sharp and tangy, with a slightly bitter edge from the hops. The extra-sharp cheddar leads, and dark paprika adds color and depth.
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Beer Cheese Dip recipe
Made with simple ingredients, this smooth and creamy beer cheese dip is ready in 20 minutes. It's perfect for dipping, spreading, and sharing.
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 3 cups 1x
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 12 oz beer (we use IPA)
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 6 oz extra-sharp cheddar, shredded
- 1 teaspoon garlic, chopped
- 2 teaspoons dark paprika
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the flour and whisk for 1 minute.
- Slowly add the beer, whisking until smooth.
- Add the cream cheese, cheddar, garlic, and paprika. Whisk until the cheese melts and the dip is smooth, about 5 minutes.
Notes
- Beer: we use IPA, but it's bitter for some. For a milder flavor, use a lager.
- Use it as a sauce: with no milk or heavy cream, it's thick enough to spread on burgers and sandwiches.
- Shred your own cheese: it melts smoother than pre-shredded.
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Category: Appetizer
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ½ C
- Calories: 232
- Sugar: 4.9 g
- Sodium: 217.4 mg
- Fat: 18.8 g
- Carbohydrates: 8.8 g
- Protein: 7.2 g
- Cholesterol: 53.5 mg
This is our favorite party dip, hands down! The sharp cheddar blends perfectly with the craft beer for AMAZING flavor.