Athens Beer Cheese

Inspired by the Georgia Entertains Cookbook

To modernize this recipe, I made a few adaptations that I thought would add a great flavor. For one, I thought having a few different cheeses would create a comforting, deep cheesy flavor, which is why I included Havarti as well as the original use of cheddar. Mixed with the cheddar cheese, Havarti is rich in flavor and, once melted, creamy and smooth. The indulgent flavors of the Havarti helped deliver nice tangy notes of any IPA! In addition, I decided to serve this warmed up instead of leaving it cold. It transformed the classic recipe from a spread to a dip, which I felt was a better option for this recipe. This classic dip went perfectly with the everything pretzels (recipe link) at the tailgate where I tested both dishes. It was warm and satisfying— exactly what you want before a football game!

Athens Beer Cheese

Ingredients:

• 1 lb sharp cheddar cheese, grated

• 6 ounces Havarti cheese with horseradish, grated

• 1 (4 ounces) tomato paste

• 1 teaspoon garlic salt

• 1 tablespoon onion flakes

• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

• 1 cup beer

Yields: serving for 8

Perp Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Method:

1. Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and mix.

2. Place in a saucepan, and cook on low heat until the cheese is smooth.

3. Serve warm with everything pretzels (link recipe).