Applebee’s Beer Cheese Recipe

Game night snacks need a punch of excitement, so grab some crunchy pretzels, crispy crackers, and a tasty, zesty dip!

Sounds fun?

If you have not yet tried beer cheese, it’s time to discover this sumptuous and smooth spread and relish with all kinds of snacks, from chips to burgers.

Luckily, you don’t even need to go to the restaurant to savor it, just follow the easy Applebee’s beer cheese recipe and make yours at home.

It’s a great plan for the weekend parties any snack time for that matter.

This is your chance to know everything about beer cheese in this article – from a little Kentucky-based story to amazing recipes.

What is beer cheese

Beer cheese is a silky smooth cheese spread or dip, usually orange in color.

It is made of shredded or melted cheese and flattened beer, flavored with different seasonings and spices, such as garlic, cayenne pepper, and Mustard powder.

Beer cheese is not a type of cheese but rather a combination of various cheeses.

The flattened beer gives its dominant flavor, smooth texture and inspires the name.

On the other hand, the orange color comes from the various cheese combinations or by adding annatto coloring.

Originally, it was made with leftover beer, which had gone flat, and that is why flattened beer is used.

If you use fizzy beer, it will foam up and spill out of your food processor.

History of beer cheese

The history of beer dates back to the 1930s near Winchester on the banks of the Kentucky River.

Johnnie, the owner of Driftwood Inn, wanted a complimentary snack to increase his customers’ appetite for beer.

This prompted his cousin, Chef Joe Allman, to create the unique, silky, and spicy spread they served at the Inn.

However, in the 1960s, Johnnie allegedly lost the restaurant and his recipes, creating a legendary debate as to who had the original recipe.

Back then, sliced veggies were used for dipping, but now beer cheese has evolved into a life of its own to become a dip served alongside pretzels or crudites and as a sauce to fries or buggers.

Its popularity has also crossed Clark County into the far reaches of the world.

Beer cheese substitutes

You can buy any cold pack club cheese spread, although some do not have beer, or pub cheese, as another option to beer cheese.

Alternatively, make yours at home using the Applebee’s beer cheese recipe.

Beer cheese vs. Pub cheese

Pub cheese is a spreadable cheese sometimes made with beer, but not always (e.g., the Presidante brand doesn’t use beer).

As such, all beer cheese is pub cheese, but not all pub cheese is beer cheese.

Beer cheese vs. Drunken cheese

Unlike the beer cheese, which is a dip, the drunken cheese is solid and is made by adding beer to the curds even before the cheese is pressed to acquire its shape.

This gives it a dominant beer flavor and a marbled appearance determined by the beer used.

Cheese for Applebee’s cheese recipe

The kind of cheese you choose will determine whether or not your Applebee’s beer cheese recipe will result in a dip that is as silky-smooth as it should be.

To get the best results, use the ones with the best flavors that also melt fast.

Pre-shredded cheese does not melt well, so avoid it and go for one that would taste great alongside a beer.

Here is a couple of favorites to use in an Applebee’s beer cheese recipe:

●Cheddar

●Gouda

●Gruyere

●Young cheddar

●Emmental (Emmentaler)

●American (great texture but poor flavor)

Applebee’s beer cheese recipe

Ingredients

●1 bottle Blue Moon Beer

●3 tablespoons butter

●3 tablespoons flour

●1 ½ cups sharp white cheddar cheese, shredded

●1 ½ cups Colby jack cheese, shredded

●½ cup milk

●1 tablespoon Dijon Mustard

●2 cloves garlic, minced

●1 teaspoon salt

●1 teaspoon hot sauce

●¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper powder

●½ teaspoon Freshly ground black pepper

●¼ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Preparation instructions

1.Put the butter in a medium saucepan and melt over medium-high heat.

2.Add flour and whisk to combine until smooth, then continue cooking for 1 minute.

3.Whisking lightly, add in the beer and milk.

4.Add garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and Mustard.

5.Stir continually for about 5-10 minutes, or until thickened ( when the sauce starts coating the back of a wooden spoon).

6.Remove from heat and immediately stir in the hot sauce and cheese.

7.Add salt and pepper to taste.

8.Pour in a nice bowl and garnish with a dash of cayenne pepper powder or paprika and serve while still warm.

9.Serve with warm Pretzel sticks such as Applebees or toast points, crudites, and/or crostini for dipping.

Applebee’s beer cheese variations

Add-ins

For a spicier beer cheese dip, chop some fresh jalapenos and mix them in during the preparation process.

Note that they get hotter when refrigerated, so watch out for the amount used if you intend to store some leftovers for later.

Spices

Experiment on different favors by trying different spices, such as garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, or a cajun spice blend to lighten things up a bit.

Cheese

There are different types and flavors of cheeses, so mix and match to come up with your classic overall taste.

Try sharp extra cheddar cheese and pepper jack cheese, or Gouda cheese.

Experiment with sharpness and how varying flavors complement your beer.

Pretzels for dipping in Applebee’s beer cheese recipe

Since pretzels are some of the best snacks to dip in beer cheese, how about a recipe to help you make yours at home?

Ingredients

●1 ½ cups warm water ( 110-115 degrees F)

●4 ½ cups all-purpose flour ( 22 ounces)

●1 package active dry yeast

●1 tablespoon sugar

●2 teaspoons kosher salt

●10 cups water

●2 ounces unsalted butter, melted

●Vegetable oil

●1 large egg yolk beaten with 1 teaspoon water

●⅔ cup baking soda

●Pretzel salt

Preparation instructions

1.In a stand mixer’s bowl, mix the water, kosher salt, and sugar, then sprinkle the yeast on top.

2.Allow to sit until the mixture begins to foam ( approximately 5 minutes).

3.Add the flour and butter, then mix at low speed, using the dough hook attachment, until they blend well.

4.Change to medium speed and knead for approximately 4-5 minutes, until the dough becomes so smooth it pulls away from the side of the bowl.

5.Remove the dough from the bowl.

Clean the bowl, then smear it well with the vegetable oil.

Put the dough back, cover with plastic wrap, and sit in a warm place until the dough doubles in size ( approximately 50-55 minutes).

6.Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.

Line 2 half-sheet pans with parchment paper and lightly brush with the vegetable oil then set aside.

7.In a roasting pan, heat the 10 cups of water and the baking soda until they come to a rolling boil.

8.Separately, place the dough on a lightly oiled work surface, turn it and divide it into 8 equal pieces.

Roll out each piece into a 24-inch rope.

Make a U-shape with the rope and while holding the ends, cross them over each other and press onto the bottom of the U to form the shape of a pretzel.

Now, place onto the half sheet pan lined with parchment paper.

9.Place the pretzels, 1 by 1, into the boiling water and let them stay for 30 seconds.

Remove them from the water using a large spatula ad return them to the half sheet pan.

Brush each pretzel at the top with the beaten egg yolk and salt mixture, then sprinkle with the pretzel salt.

10.Bake for 12-14 minutes, until they become dark golden brown, then transfer to a cooling rack to stay for at least 5 minutes.

11.Serve

Storage of Applebee’s beer cheese

Room temperature

After preparation, a homemade beer cheese will last for too long at normal temperature without developing an awful taste.

It should not stay for longer than 2 hours.

If bought at the store, keep it airtight and chilled like it was when bought.

Once opened, ensure you are using it within 2 hours.

Refrigeration

●Cool down your Applebee’s beer cheese and transfer in an airtight bag, or put the container in an airtight freezer bag.

Put in the fridge and store for three to four days.

●If it is store-bought, ensure it stays in the container sealed as it was when you bought it.

Store in the fridge for as long as the recommended expiry date.

Follow the chilling temperature printed on the container label.

FAQs

How do you thicken beer cheese?

If your Applebee’s beer cheese is too thin, thicken with an extra tablespoon of cornstarch or flour.

Take a ¼ cup of the thin beer cheese sauce and in a separate bowl mix it with cornstarch/flour, then mix it back to the Applebee’s beer cheese recipe, stirring slowly.

Can you get drunk from beer cheese?

You will not get drunk because most of the alcohol gets cooked off in the heat during the preparation process.

The alcohol flavor is maintained, but the alcoholic percentage is mostly lost in the heat.

Nutritional Facts (Per serving)

●Calories 228 Kcal

●Protein 15g

●Carbohydrates b15g

●Sugar 2g

●Vitamin A 428 IU

●Vitamin C 1mg

●Fat 14g

●Saturated Fat 8g

●Fiber 2g

●Iron 1mg

●Calcium 208mg

●Cholesterol 42mg

●Potassium 95 mg

●Sodium 539 mg

Conclusion

This beer cheese is a must-try as a dip, spread, or sauce to flavor your favorite snacks, and you can also come up with your own ways to use it and flavor your dishes.

Use the Applebee’s beer cheese recipe to make yours at the comfort of your home.

---