What is Beer Cheese? | Wine Enthusiast

Liptauer, ktipiti, almogrote and obatzda are pretty phrases, however none of those names of world cheese spreads, arguably, have the straightforward mouthwatering magnificence of “beer cheese.” This cousin of pimento, pub cheese, Port wine cheese, fromage fort, Benedictine and others deserves to be in your common repertoire of dips and spreads.

What Is Beer Cheese?

Beer cheese is a variety comprised of cheese—often cheddar—blended with beer and some spices till easy. It may be served because the basic raw unfold or variations that extra carefully resemble fondue or beer cheese soup. It’s paired with crackers, pretzels and/or uncooked greens.

“Beer cheese is like Dolly Parton, even the unhealthy beer cheese is nice,” says Bundy Ok. Brown, sommelier and longtime Kentucky resident. “Tarted-up beer cheese could also be as shut because it involves ‘unhealthy’ however I don’t suppose I’ve ever seen an instance of that.”

The place Does Beer Cheese Come From?

Beer cheese originated in Kentucky—and remains to be ubiquitous there—however has discovered a faithful fanbase all through the nation. And one can assume that somebody mixed beer and cheese at an earlier date.

In actual fact, the unfold that we all know at the moment goes again to the late 1930s, originating at a restaurant referred to as The Driftwood Inn, close to Boonesborough on the banks of the Kentucky River.

Joe Allman, cousin of the proprietor Johnnie Allman, created a variety he referred to as “Snappy Cheese” to encourage beer consumption on the restaurant. Its reputation by no means waned, and although the unique recipe has by no means been revealed, two firms declare to promote the actual factor; Allman’s Beer Cheese, owned by Johnnie Allman’s grandson, and Howard’s Creek, whose model has been authenticated by Joe Allman’s son.

Nonetheless, there are as many variations of beer cheese as there are residence cooks.

“I believe so far as guidelines or authenticity is worried, it’s all native or family choice,” says Brown, whereas acknowledging some pointers. “Beer cheese will not be actually dippable straight out of the fridge or shouldn’t be. The stuff you purchase within the grocery store is as a result of it’s acquired all types of emulsifiers and stabilizers in it.”

Brown continued, “However the cheese ratio needs to be excessive sufficient that it’s fairly stiff when chilly. 9 occasions out of ten, it’s cheddar-based and will have a sharpness to it, although you’ll typically see as a lot as half the cheese be pepper jack. It ought to have a bit of grain to it, not shiny and easy like pump or processed cheese.”

Lastly, the spice stage can fluctuate on the subject of beer cheese. “In my expertise, beer cheese is much less spicy than even pimento cheese—which is often only a 5 out of 10. Nevertheless it has to have some chunk; typically that’s a mustardy chunk.”

The Finest Beer Cheese Recipe

On this recipe, horseradish takes the place of dry mustard, a typical ingredient in beer cheese however one that may intensify bitterness. The unfold is sort of thick, so serve with a small knife or spoon. Serve at room temperature for the perfect texture and taste—will probably be very agency out of the fridge however will soften because it sits. Serve beer cheese with any mixture of carrot and celery sticks, cauliflower and broccoli florets, radishes, sturdy crackers and thick pretzels.

What Is the Finest Beer for Beer Cheese?

It’s turn out to be modern to make use of intensely flavored craft beer for beer cheese, however such beers—particularly hop-forward IPAs—could make the unfold unpleasantly bitter and overpower the cheddar taste.

Within the late Nineteen Thirties, when the unfold is claimed to have been invented, the preferred beer types within the nation have been pale lagers resembling easy-drinking American pilsner, and light-weight, malt-forward blonde ales like Ballantine XXX Ale. Select a lighter beer with some character however low bitterness, like malt-forward Mexican, Vienna or Helles lagers.

Can You Pair Wine With Beer Cheese?

Curiously, beer isn’t the perfect pairing for the unfold, because the cheese taste dominates. Select a wine that you simply’d pour with sharp cheddar cheese by itself.

“I believe one thing brassy and barely in-your-face is greatest,” says Brown. “An Argentine Malbec or a very good Zinfandel can be nice for his or her spice, or a juicy fruit-forward Spanish Tempranillo, Monastrell or Garnacha.”

Should you’re searching for one thing a bit of extra distinctive, Brown says, “My how-about-you-give-me-something-besides-lusty-red-wine wine snob advice can be Sherry; I’d lean in the direction of a higher-pitched fino or amontillado as a result of that’s my palate, however even a wealthy oloroso can be a fantastic pairing.”

Can Beer Cheese Get You Drunk?

With solely six ounces of beer per pound of cheese, it’s unlikely.

Does Beer Cheese Have Actual Beer?

Sure, however non-alcoholic beer is an ideal possibility as properly.

Does Beer Cheese Style Like Beer?

It shouldn’t. If it does, you’ve used the unsuitable beer, an excessive amount of beer or didn’t let it relaxation lengthy sufficient.

Is Beer Cheese Gluten-Free?

Normally not, however it may well simply be made gluten-free through the use of gluten-free beer and gluten-free Worcestershire (or leaving out Worcestershire fully).

Can You Freeze Beer Cheese?

Not likely. The feel of beer cheese suffers drastically from freezing. It retains not less than 5 days within the fridge, so it may well nonetheless be ready forward.