Pub Cheese

What is Pub Cheese and How Did It Get Its Name?

Pub cheese is a cold beer cheese dip with a spread like consistency. It consists of cheese blended with ale or lager and a variety of flavor contributing condiments, spices and herbs. Most commonly served with crackers and veggie sticks it is a quintessential American pub grub.

The roots of this popular delicacy are in New England. It is widely accepted that similarly to Kentucky beer cheese, pub cheese was invented to encourage patrons in pubs and bars alike to order more beer, hence the name. It is a classic bar snack, just like pickled eggs. 

What is the Best Pub Cheese?

The best pub cheese has a soft, creamy consistency and a good balance of flavors (which is of course a highly subjective notion).

Because it is a delicacy popular across the country there are many pub cheese brands - numerous delis and grocery stores have their own house made versions. 

Truth be told - the best one is the one you like the most. There are hundreds of recipes out there, most of them quite similar and given how easy it is to make and customize you have no reason not to experiment and create your own favorite.

Typical Pub Cheese Ingredients

Cheese. Sharp cheddar cheese is the traditional choice and we use it here - it's rich, piquant flavor partners with beer to form a glorious flavor relationship (also at the core of Wisconsin style beer cheese soup). You can substitute with Colby, Jack even Gouda.  

Spreadable cheese. Cream cheese adds a velvety softness to the dip, we also add some spreadable cheese (or a bit of sour cream). 

Beer. Lagers and ales with malty backbone and herbal hops notes are desirable, as well as sweetish bocks, brown ales, porters or stouts. Nothing too creative - beer like a citrusy IPA or a strawberry conditioned kolsch for example make poor contenders. Classic choices are American lagers, Czech Pilsner or German pils. 

Herbs and Spices. This recipe calls for finely chopped fresh chives, sweet paprika (it also deepens the color of the dip), black pepper and a bit of sea salt. You can also consider addin onion powder for a more savory aroma as well as ground mustard or cayenne pepper for a touch of heat.

Other flavoring agents. Prepared horseradish, Dijon mustard, a clove of garlic, Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce (omit if you do not want a spicy taste). Sometimes if using a strongly hopped pilsner we add a tablespoon of maple syrup - it neutralizes the bitterness while the herbal notes remain strong. 

Instructions - How to Make Pub Style Cheese Dip

Pub cheese spread does not require cooking (in that it is very similar to Obatzda) but typically the use of a food processor is involved.

Step 1. Place cheeses (shredded cheddar, cream cheese and if using spreadable cheese at room temperature) and the chopped garlic clove in the bowl of a food processor and blend until combined. 

Step 2. Add all the flavorings - except for the sea salt and chives. Process again to combine. 

 Step 3. Add the beer while processing until it is nicely incorporated. 

NOTE: If the beer you are using is highly carbonated it is helpful to first pour it into a glass and let the initial foaming subside - the beer will be easier to measure out.

Step 4. Finally, transfer the mixture to a bowl, taste and fold in sea salt as needed and the chives. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. 

NOTE: You must fold the chopped chives at the end so that the dip does not turn green/unappetizing off color if they get blended in.

Ways to Enjoy Pub Cheese 

Even though primarily an appetizer dip, you can use it a spread and slather it on toast (topped with avocado), burger buns, soft pretzels, add a dollop over grilled chicken (or chicken sandwiches too), make tiny cracker sandwiches with it, fold it into mashed potatoes (seriously tasty) and so much more.

Small mason jars of homemade pub cheese make a great hostess gift around the holidays. Or add to one such jar a box of crackers and a 6-pack and give as a Father's day treat.
 

Variations of Pub Style Beer Cheese Dip

• Smoked Pub Cheese. Obviously you can use smoked cheese, but if you really wanted to enhance the smokey flavors consider using Rauchbier or smoked paprika or liquid smoke - all are good options.
• Irish Pub Cheese Version. Our recommendation is to use Irish cheddar and Guinness for true Irish flavors. If your goal is a green colored beer cheese, you might want to use green cheese or fresh herbs and perhaps a drop or two of food coloring and blend them into the dip. 
• Pub Cheese with Jalapenos. Finely chop pickled or fresh jalapenos and fold them into the dip after you've processed it.

Other Dips You Might Like

Beer Cheese Fondue | Smoked Trout Dip | Salsa Borracha | Herbs & Lemon Ricotta Dip