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    You Are Here: Home → Appetizers

    Beer Cheese Dip

    March 17, 2020 | Updated September 13, 2022 by Ryan 3 Comments

    550 shares
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    pretzel bite being dipped in beer cheese dip
    overhead shot of beer cheese dip in white bowl with pretzel bites
    beer cheese dip in white bowl with pretzel bites

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure.

    This beer cheese dip recipe made with your favorite beer is perfect for hosting friends and can be ready in just 15 minutes.

    pretzel bite being dipped in beer cheese dip

    While you can use whatever beer you like, I'm all about Guinness, from Guinness beef stew to Guinness chocolate cake, it is just so versatile.

    I don't know about you, but I feel like Guinness beer is the most used beer out there when it comes to cooking. And no it doesn't need to be St. Patrick's Day to use it, although it doesn't hurt.

    And that's where this beer cheese dip recipe comes into play. A few years back, my wife and I went to the Food & Wine Festival at Epcot and got some cheese dip from the Ireland section. Every since having it, I had wanted to recreate it.

    Well I was in luck, as I had some leftover Guinness beer from another recipe. Before you ask, no you don't need Guinness for dip. You can use whatever beer you like and whatever cheese you happen to have. That's what makes this dip so great.

    That and it is super easy to whip up. And if you follow this blog at all, you might have noticed I just shared some pretzel bites. Yes those were made specifically for this Guinness cheese dip, but you can use your favorite dippers for this recipe.

    Jump to:
    • Recipe Ingredients
    • How to Make Guinness Cheese Dip
    • Best Beer for Cheese Dip
    • Variations
    • Dipping Options
    • Pro Tips/Recipes Notes
    • Other Appetizer Recipes
    • Beer Cheese Dip
    overhead shot of beer cheese dip in white bowl with pretzel bites

    Recipe Ingredients

    • Unsalted butter - works with the flour to form a roux.
    • All-purpose flour - makes the roux to help thicken this beer cheese dip recipe.
    • Whole milk - whole milk is best for a rich and creamy dip.
    • Beer - feel free to use your favorite beer.
    • Worcestershire sauce - adds a slight umami flavor.
    • Dijon mustard - can't have a dip without a little mustard.
    • Garlic powder, paprika, salt, black pepper - enhances the flavor.
    • Sharp cheddar cheese - use your favorite cheese or a combination of cheeses.

    How to Make Guinness Cheese Dip

    1. Heat butter in large saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk until combined and cooked through, about 1 minute.
    2. Slowly add the milk, beer, mustard, garlic powder, paprika, salt and black pepper, whisking until everything is combined.
    3. Stirring constantly, cook until mixture has thickened slightly, about 3-5 minutes. Add cheese and whisk until smooth. Taste for seasoning and serve warm.
    process shots of how to make Guinness cheese dip

    Best Beer for Cheese Dip

    It really just depends on the kind of beer you like as that is what you should use.

    • Dark beers - stouts and malts produce a deep and slightly bitter flavor that goes well with pretzels.
    • Light beers - ales and IPA's typically have a lighter or hoppier flavor and goes well with chips and veggies.
    • Non-alcoholic - you could always go with a non-alcoholic beer and it will still taste great.

    Variations

    As with anything, you can change up your flavor depending on what you add to this beer cheese dip recipe.

    • Spice - step up the heat by adding a pinch of cayenne or some hot sauce.
    • More Queso-Like - if you want a queso dip, add some drained diced tomatoes and green chilis.
    • Garlic - if you love garlic, then add 1-2 cloves and sauté  in the butter for 30 seconds before adding the flour.

    Dipping Options

    I associate cheese dip with soft, warm pretzels but there are plenty of possibilities.

    • Bread - soft pretzels, French bread, pita bread, sourdough bread or no-knead Dutch oven bread.
    • Chips - pita chips, tortilla chips, pretzel chips.
    • Fruits - apples, grapes, pears.
    • Veggies - broccoli, celery, cauliflower, mushrooms, carrots.

    Pro Tips/Recipes Notes

    • Don’t use pre-shredded cheese. It doesn’t taste as good and also has additional ingredients that you don’t need.
    • If the dip seems a too thick, whisk in some milk 1 tablespoon at a time and if it is too thin, just add some more cheese.
    • Keep the dip warm on a cheese fondue warmer or in a mini slow cooker.
    beer cheese dip in white bowl with pretzel bites

    Other Appetizer Recipes

    • Classic Cheese Fondue
    • Crispy Green Beans
    • Beer Bread
    • Pepperoni Bread

    If you’ve tried this beer cheese dip recipe or any other recipe on Chisel & Fork, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below! You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube to see more tasty meals and anything else I'm up to.

    pretzel bite being dipped in beer cheese dip
    Print Recipe
    5 from 8 votes

    Beer Cheese Dip

    This cheese dip made with your favorite beer is the perfect recipe for hosting friends and can be ready in just 15 minutes.
    Prep Time5 mins
    Cook Time10 mins
    Total Time15 mins
    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 195kcal
    Author: Ryan Beck

    Ingredients

    • 3 tablespoon unsalted butter
    • 3 tablespoon all-purpose flour
    • 1 cup whole milk
    • ⅔ cup beer
    • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
    • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon paprika
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
    • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

    Instructions

    • Heat butter in large saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk until combined and cooked through, about 1 minute.
    • Slowly add the milk, beer, mustard, garlic powder, paprika, salt and black pepper, whisking until everything is combined.
    • Stirring constantly, cook until mixture has thickened slightly, about 3-5 minutes. Add cheese and whisk until smooth.
    • Taste for seasoning and serve warm.

    Notes

    • Don’t use pre-shredded cheese. It doesn’t taste as good and also has additional ingredients that you don’t need.
    • If the dip seems a too thick, whisk in some milk 1 tablespoon at a time and if it is too thin, just add some more cheese.
    • Keep the dip warm on a cheese fondue warmer or in a mini slow cooker.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 195kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0g | Trans Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 47mg | Sodium: 288mg | Potassium: 53mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 2g
    Did You Try This Recipe?I love seeing what you make so mention @ChiselandFork or tag #chiselandfork on Instagram and please give a star rating below!
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    Comments

    1. Oh Canada says

      April 03, 2021 at 11:32 pm

      5 stars
      This is like making a great classic homemade Mac and cheese sauce. Just replace some milk with beer. Or not as this sauce would go well in Mac n chz too.

      Go ahead and make it! Great for all levels.

      Reply
    2. Edward T Chrzastek says

      April 12, 2021 at 4:32 pm

      Can this be made a head of time? How would you reheat

      Reply
      • Ryan says

        April 12, 2021 at 6:43 pm

        Yes. Just reheat over low heat, stirring often.

        Reply

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