Beer Cheese Dip

The task – to make a new tailgating /football game day snack for cheering on the Titans this week. My family lives a strange life of sport superstitions inspired by years of supporting Vandy now coupled with the thrill and pain of being Titans fans. Emotions are high. One week we are headed to the Super Bowl and the next is all about the bad referees and stupid calls that made our team lose. It also depends (apparently) on things like what socks you wear, where everyone sits, and now oddly – the menu. If a dish has made it to the football party – whether a tailgate or home viewing – and the team loses a couple of times it’s banned. Now do I accept this? Absolutely not, I’ll just add it back into the rotation after sufficient time has passed and a new name has been created. But this time, to make amends for a poor showing by our team last Sunday – I’ve been convinced to create something special. That means jazzing up a favorite that has no reputation for a win or lose on the field, but is always the hit of the party – Beer Cheese. This is not the pub favorite hot cheese dip that requires a pot, constant stirring, and immediate consumption. No, this beer cheese dip is a lovely concoction that can be whipped up in the food processor or mixer and chilled until time to serve. There aren’t many ingredients, but what goes in it is important. After playing around with a variety of cheeses, I think the perfect combo is Cheddar with Swiss, and a bit of cream cheese for consistency. Blue cheese with beer was just plain weird, Parmesan was a crumbly mess, and mozzarella was too stringy. Feel free to experiment at will, but the research at this end is complete. The beer matters too. A dark ale is a bit overpowering – but if you love it, by all means go for it. A lighter pale ale is a bit sweeter and milder letting the cheese shine through. There are several things to love about this recipe. First, it’s quick to make and it’s even possible you already have all or most of the ingredients. Secondly, it can be made well ahead of time and the flavor actually improves after a day or two. Third- and this is fun – just about anything can be a dipper from pretzels to cauliflower so scour those cabinets for half bags of crackers and chips and the fridge for a leftover apple or 2 and put them to good use. Finally, Beer Cheese is served cold or at room temperature which translates to put it out when you are ready to watch the game and don’t worry about it again.

Entertaining will never get easier. This is destined to be a winner – no superstition involved. Enjoy!

Beer Cheese Dip

Ingredients

8 oz sharp cheddar cheese, grated

8 oz Swiss cheese, grated

2 oz cream cheese

1 clove garlic, peeled

2 tsp Worchester sauce

2 tsp Dijon mustard

1 tsp paprika

½ tsp celery salt

½ to ¾ cup beer

Directions

Combine all ingredient except beer in a food processor and process until well combined.

With motor running slowly add beer until desired consistency.

Refrigerate at least one hour before serving.

 Always hopeful for a win!