I’m immediately intrigued, then, by any food or drink that conjures up notions of warming up in winter. Mulled wine, wintery spices and yes, even mulled beer. As odd as that may sound (warm beer? Really?). I once sampled several large glasses of the stuff in Poland and let me tell you, it will challenge all previously held grudges you have against warm beer! Delicious and so welcome after spending even 5 minutes in the frigid Polish winter air.
In that light, today I have something extra-special for you!
F. and I enjoyed 5 out of 6 cans of this brew, but put one can aside to use in an old recipe I have for Beer Cheese. I am a food blogger after all, so I had to find a way to use Lions Winter Ale in a recipe! And who doesn’t love a good dose of booze in a delicious, holiday dip that’s perfect for entertaining?
The recipe I have is a 10-year-old photocopy of a photocopy from a professor in university. She was working on a reception spread with me, and our committee spent several hours at her house one weekend making batch after delicious batch of this stuff. I’ve had this recipe tucked away ever since, and this is the first time it’s made a reappearance. I have no idea which book the recipe is from, so I have altered it to make it my own.
Lions Winter Beer Cheese
2 tsp. finely chopped garlic, germ removed
1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. Tabasco (or less if desired)
1 tsp. dry mustard
1 cup (355 ml) Lions Winter Ale
4 cups (1 pound) freshly grated sharp Cheddar cheese
ground black pepper to taste
In a deep bowl, crush the garlic to a paste with a pestle or the back of a spoon. Using a whisk or wooden spoon, beat in the Worcestershire, Tabasco, mustard and salt. Then, stirring the mixture constantly, pour in the beer in a slow, thin stream. When the ingredients are well blended, beat in the cheese, a cupful at a time, and continue to beat until the mixture is smooth.
Pack the beer cheese tightly into a 2 cup mold or stoneware crock. Cover with a lid or foil and refrigerate for at least 24 hours before serving.
Beer cheese is traditionally served with crisp crackers as a first course or as an accompaniment to drinks.
Makes 1 1/2 cups.
Disclaimer: I received free product from Granville Island Brewing, but was not compensated in any way. Views expressed here are entirely my own. I genuinely love the stuff!
Source: http://foodjetaimee.blogspot.com/2011/12/lions-winter-ale-beer-cheese.html
