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    Home » Dips & Spreads

    Published Jun 9, 2023 by Heather Bilyeu

    10 Minute Kentucky Style Beer Cheese Dip

    ★★★★★5 from 1 review
    2 Comments
    This post may contain affiliate links
    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

    This 10 Minute Kentucky Style Beer Cheese Dip is perfect for any party or gathering. Served cold with warm pretzel bites, this dip is smooth and creamy with a kick of spice. It's incredibly easy to make, taking just 10 minutes to whip up, and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

    If you have never had beer cheese you may be thinking that this sounds super weird and gross, but let me assure you, this Bluegrass recipe staple is delicious and perfect for any gathering or party!

    This recipe originated right here in the heart of the Bluegrass state in Winchester, Kentucky. While everyone has their versions of making it, they are all based on the same staple ingredients - beer, cheddar cheese, and some spices.

    This is a sharp cheesy dip with a kick to it that is best served cold with warm pretzel bites! If you are a fan of traditional southern appetizers like creamy spinach and artichoke dip in a bread bowl, pimento cheese, red pepper jelly, and benedictine - you will be a fan of this 10-minute Kentucky-style beer cheese dip!

    10 Minute Kentucky Style Beer Cheese Dip in a white bowl with pretzel bites on a platter and beer in glasses.
    Jump to:
    • Ingredients Needed
    • How to Make
    • Is Beer Cheese Served Hot or Cold?
    • Make Ahead Instructions
    • Freqiently Asked Questions
    • Recipe

    Ingredients Needed

    You only need 5 main ingredients with a handful of spices for beer cheese dip.

    • Sharp Cheddar Cheese - it is important to use sharp cheddar cheese here - this helps give it that distinctive bite that beer cheese is known to have. Always buy it by the block and shred the cheese yourself - avoid the pre-shredded bagged cheese - it will not result in the same taste and texture.
    • Cream Cheese - lay this out on the counter to bring to room temperature about 30 minutes before you make the recipe. This will help the dip blend together more easily and smoothly.
    • Light Beer - use your favorite light beer here. I rotate between whatever we have stocked in our fridge (Michelob Ultra, Yuengling, Coors Light, etc.). You can also use your favorite local beer as well to add a hometown flavor that you will be familiar with. There is no hard and fast specific beer for this recipe.
    • Worcestershire Sauce
    • Hot Sauce
    • Spices: salt, garlic powder, smoked paprika, cayenne, and dry mustard
    Block og cheddar cheese, spices in a bowl, Worcestershire sauce, franks hot sauce, Michelob ultra and a block of cream cheese on a white table.

    How to Make

    Before you make the recipe, open up a can of light beer and sit on the counter to let come to room temperature and become stale for 4-24 hours.

    STEP ONE: Shred a block of cheddar cheese using a cheese grater. Do not use pre-shredded bagged cheese for this recipe.

    STEP TWO: In a food processor or high-powered blender, add the shredded cheese, cream cheese, beer, and spices. Blend until smooth and creamy - stopping a couple of times to scrape down the sides with a spatula.

    STEP THREE: Once completely smooth and blended, add to a bowl and enjoy with warm pretzel bites (this is my favorite pretzel bite recipe.).

    If you are a fan of spice and want a bit more kick to your dip, add ½-1 teaspoon more of hot sauce for added heat.

    Serve this cold beer cheese dip with warm pretzel bites (the warmth of this melts the cold dip slightly as you dip and it is divine!), carrot and celery sticks, bread, crackers, or regular pretzels.

    Blender with shredded cheddar cheese and cream cheese inside.
    Shred your own cheddar cheese then add to a food processor or blender with cream cheese and spices for 3-5 minutes until smooth and creamy.
    Beer cheese in bowl after it's been blended.
    Once completely smooth, place and bowl and serve.

    Is Beer Cheese Served Hot or Cold?

    This is a big debate everywhere else besides Kentucky. If you just take one look at a Google search for beer cheese you will see most of them are warm dips similar to queso.

    But not in Kentucky! In Kentucky, beer cheese dip is strictly served cold. It is thicker like a spread and is the way we enjoy and serve it here in Kentucky.

    Make Ahead Instructions

    This 10-minute dip is so easy to make ahead of time! Make up to 24-48 hours in advance for when you are wanting to serve. Just store in an airtight container in the fridge until needed.

    This dip unfortunately does not freeze well so I would not recommend freezing.

    Beer cheese in a bowl with pretzel bites around it.

    Freqiently Asked Questions

    How to Store Leftovers

    Leftovers can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to a week.

    What Type of Beer is Best Used for Kentucky Style Beer Cheese?

    There is no hard and fast specific beer for this recipe. Use your favorite light beer here. I rotate between whatever we have stocked in our fridge (Michelob Ultra, Yuengling, Coors Light, etc.). You can also use your favorite local beer as well to add a hometown flavor that you will be familiar with.

    Can I Use Another Type of Cheese Instead of Sharp Cheddar?

    Sharp cheddar cheese is the traditional cheese used in beer cheese dip. It is what gives it that distinct bite and flavor. If you use another type it will not result in the same flavor and outcome for this recipe.

    A hand dipping a pretzel bite into beer cheese with beer in glasses behind it.
    Print

    Recipe

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    Overhead shot of a bowl of beer cheese and pretzel bites and glasses of beer.

    10 Minute Kentucky Style Beer Cheese Dip


    ★★★★★

    5 from 1 review

    • Author: Heather Bilyeu
    • Total Time: 10 minutes
    • Yield: 8-10 1x
    • Diet: Gluten Free
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Description

    This 10 Minute Kentucky Style Beer Cheese Dip is perfect for any party or gathering. Served cold with warm pretzel bites, this dip is smooth and creamy with a kick of spice. It's incredibly easy to make, taking just 10 minutes to whip up, and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 8 Ounces Sharp Cheddar Cheese - shredded from a block
    • 8 Ounces Cream Cheese - softened to room temperature
    • ¼ Cup Light Beer - warm & stale
    • 1 Teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
    • 1 Teaspoon  Hot Sauce*
    • ¼ Teaspoon  Salt
    • ¼ Teaspoon  Garlic Powder
    • ⅛ Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
    • ⅛ Teaspoon  Smoked Paprika
    • ⅛ Teaspoon Dry Mustard

    Instructions

    Before you make the recipe, open up a can of light beer and sit on the counter to let come to room temperature and become stale for 4-24 hours.

    1. Shred a block of cheddar cheese using a cheese grater. Do not use pre-shredded bagged cheese for this recipe.
    2. In a food processor or high-powered blender, add the shredded cheese, cream cheese, beer, and spices. Blend until smooth and creamy for 3-5 minutes - stopping a couple of times to scrape down the sides with a spatula.
    3. Once completely smooth and blended, add to a bowl and enjoy with warm pretzel bites.

    Notes

    • Leftovers can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to a week.
    • If you like a bit more of a kick and spice, add 1-2 more teaspoons of hot sauce for an extra level of punch and spice.
    • Enjoy with warm pretzel bites, pretzels, crackers, bread, or veggies.
    • Prep Time: 10 minutes
    • 4-24 hours:
    • Cook Time: 0 minutes
    • Category: Appetizers - Dips
    • Method: Cooking
    • Cuisine: American

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: 2 cups
    • Calories: 218
    • Sugar: 1.4 g
    • Sodium: 366.5 mg
    • Fat: 19.3 g
    • Carbohydrates: 2.9 g
    • Fiber: 0 g
    • Protein: 8.3 g
    • Cholesterol: 56.8 mg

    Keywords: 10 Minute Kentucky Style Beer Cheese Dip, Beer Cheese Dip, Beer Cheese Spread,

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @fuelingasouthernsoul on Instagram and hashtag it #fuelingasouthernsoul

    Please rate and review below!

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    Filed Under: Appetizers, Dips & Spreads, Southern, SuperBowl/Tailgate Tagged With: Cream Cheese

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. LT says

      August 28, 2023 at 11:06 pm

      My family loves beer cheese! This recipe is excellent, thank you!
      I looked through many recipes before choosing yours, which is exactly what we wanted. It is very similar to a store brand we buy in Wisconsin.

      After hearing about Mamaw's beer cheese on the show VPR, I started searching specifically for Kentucky beer cheese.

      I made it and we all loved it! I left the heat out of half of it & left it in the other half for my family that loves it.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Heather Bilyeu says

        September 05, 2023 at 6:13 pm

        THIS MAKES ME SO HAPPY!! 1. thank you for making it and letting me know it was what you were looking for and it was enjoyed! That makes me so so happy! 2. I am obsessed with VPR and a diehard fan for years now so yay for Mamaw's beer cheese and my fellow Kentucky muffin Brittany!

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Heather! Grab a glass of wine, a blanket, and a cozy seat on your back porch. I am so glad you are here! Born and raised in Kentucky and with proper southern roots, my love for entertaining and hospitality runs deep within my soul. There is nothing that I love more than having people around my table and loving them through food and drink!

    More about me →

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