Beer Cheese Dip (American South)

american-southern-beercheesedip This creamy and flavourful Beer Cheese Dip is sure to be a hit served at your next potluck party or as a game day snack. It requires just a few ingredients and minimal prepartion time, making it the perfect appetizer to whip-up in a minutes.

2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1 cup fontina cheese, Gruyère cheese or Monterey jack cheese, shredded
½ cup green onions, chopped
1 Tbsp. butter
1 (8 oz) block plain cream cheese, softened
1½ Tbsp. whole grain mustard
2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. ground smoked paprika
1 tsp. granulated garlic
½ tsp. onion powder
12 oz beer (1½ cups)
½ cup heavy whipping cream

To Serve:
crostini, pita chips, soft pretzels, veggies, chips or crackers

Grate the cheese using a box grater or a food processor.

In a large skillet melt the butter over medium high heat. Add the onions, sauté for 1-2 minutes or just until softened.

To the skillet add the cream cheese, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, garlic and onion powder. Lower the heat to medium, add the beer.

Cook stirring over medium heat until the cream cheese has melted completely.

To the pan add the cheddar cheese and fontina cheese. Cook stirring constantly until the cheese has completely melted.

Add ½ cup heavy cream. Simmer on medium-low for 10 minutes.

Serve immediately with crostini, pita chips, soft pretzels, veggies or crackers.

Makes about 12 servings.

Cook's Notes:

Cheddar cheese adds ample salt to the flavour of this dip. You can add more salt to your taste.
A few dashes of hot sauce will add spice.
You could also use pepper jack cheese in place of fontina.