This easy to make Beer Cheese Dip is made with only 4 simple ingredients, but will wow your guests with flavor. It’s delicious served up with chips or pretzels!
Ok, so, I know it’s a new year and everyone is on diets and, like, shunning carbs and fat and chocolate and everything delicious. But just in case you feel like having a really, really, really delicious reason to cheat on your resolutions, I present you with this: Beer Cheese Dip.
A friend passed this recipe on to me way back when for my bachelorette party. I made a big batch and it was devoured over the course of a couple late night, post-bar snackfests.
I was a little too busy with champagne and male nether region-shaped drinking straws to blog it at the time, but I was looking for something easy to make as a snack for New Year’s and remembered it!
This dip is super easy to make– it’s 4 simple ingredients that you throw in a bowl and mix together. No cooking or anything like that. It’s easiest to use an electric mixer or stand mixer, but if you don’t have one, don’t fear. Just let your cream cheese get extra soft at room temperature and then use a little elbow grease to work everything together with a spoon.
You can use any kind of beer. I think lighter beers are best because they don’t have any weird strong flavors. But if you have another favorite you love the flavor of– try it out! Use whatever you’ve got sitting in your fridge.
Though I’ve served this dip with chips before, I think the best vehicle is pretzels. It’s a sturdy dip, so the pretzels hold up well to it. Plus the pretzels go perfectly with the subtle beer flavor and amazing cheesiness.
Or I suppose you could always do some carrots or cucumber chips. If you want to be a little less unhealthy. But really, I suggest the pretzels!
- 2 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened
- ⅓ cup beer
- 1 packet powdered Ranch dressing mix
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- Using an electric mixer, combine cream cheese, beer and Ranch dressing mix until smooth.
- Add the cheddar cheese and mix on low a few seconds until just combined.
- Serve with pretzels, chips or veggie sticks!
And now, back to your regularly scheduled health foods…
I really like recipes that are as simple as “combine these yummy ingredients and eat.”*
Alagash is Eric’s favorite beer since he found it in Boston this summer!
We were supposed to go to the brewery in Maine, but it ended up being too snowy!! 🙁
Now THAT’S a dip! I highly approve of your beer choice, too! 😉
My husband would absolutely love this dip!
Hi I saw the beer bottle first, Allagash is brewed in Portland, Maine my home town. The dip sounds very good, think hubby would enjoy that. Will have to try. I live outside of Portland but work in Portland. Enjoy your travels around the globe. Andi
Hey Andi! I’m posting tomorrow about our trip to Portland!! Come by and check it and let me know what we missed!
Can you use any kind of beer?
Definitely! Using different beers will change the flavor slightly… so use your favorite!
I made a double batch of this for a super bowl party and it went really well. So easy to make. I used non alcoholic beer and it was still delicious!
Will any beer work for this recipe?
Yes! Use a beer that you like, since it will have a big impact on the flavor!
I make this dip for all my parties and it’s always a hit. Everyone always looks for it as soon as they walk in.
Now I have a dilemma, my next party is “tacos and tequila” and I want to make a Mexican variation. Has anyone ever tried using taco seasoning in this either in place of or along with the ranch dressing mix?
Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Haven’t tried, but that sounds delicious!!
*Update* I made this following the regular recipe and added about 1/2-3/4 a package of taco seasoning. Gave it just the “Mexican” zing it needed. Definitely need to add more liquid (beer) to this variation to create a softer and smoother consistency that works with tortilla chips. (Though it still tasted amazing with pretzels.)
Hidden valley has a fiesta ranch for dips it is very good
The heck with elbow grease! I use an electric mixer to blend cream cheese, beer, and Hidden Valley, then hand mix in the cheese. Anything to make lighter work!
A family favorite.