Name: Creamy Beer Cheese Spread – A Classic Kentucky Appetizer
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese (shredded); 1 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened; ½ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon onion powder; ½ teaspoon garlic powder; ½ teaspoon cayenne; ½ teaspoon black pepper; 1 teaspoon Worcestershire; ½ cup beer

This spread is creamy, sharp, and a little spicy, made from cheddar cheese, cream cheese, and a touch of beer for that unmistakable kick. It takes just 10 minutes to make, and once you try it, you’ll understand why it’s a Bluegrass staple.

A bowl of creamy, white cheese dip sprinkled with black pepper sits on a plate beside a vintage knife, with soft pretzels on a separate plate nearby, all on a light gray cloth background.

A Taste of Kentucky Tradition in Every Bite

In Kentucky, beer cheese is a point of pride, born decades ago along the Kentucky River at Hall’s on the River in Winchester. Locals still gather there to dip soft pretzels into the same creamy, fiery spread that made the place famous.

The secret is sharp cheddar for bite, cream cheese for body, a little heat from cayenne, and a splash of beer to pull everything together. Cheesy dips are always a hit for game day, serve this one alongside a warm pimento cheese dip for a hot and cold option.

A soft pretzel, partially eaten, sits on a metal plate beside a knife with dip. Nearby, a bowl of creamy dip garnished with black pepper and more pretzels are visible on a gray cloth background.

Unlike the melted versions you’ll find elsewhere, true Kentucky beer cheese is a spread, served chilled, thick enough to scoop but smooth enough to spread. The sharper the cheddar, the more personality it has, and that’s exactly what makes it so hard to stop eating.

Once the beer cheese dip is chilled and ready, serve it with crackers, chips, or fresh vegetables. Or my favorite way, with warm, soft pretzels.

A plate of golden-brown pretzels sprinkled with coarse salt sits next to a bowl of creamy dip topped with cracked black pepper. A vintage knife rests on the bowl, all on a gray cloth background.

Gather These for Your Next Game Day Appetizer

Here are most of the ingredients you’ll need to make this recipe. Don’t forget to check the recipe card for all the ingredients.

A variety of ingredients on a gray surface, including cream cheese, a block of cheddar, Worcestershire sauce, lager beer, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and brown sugar.

Quick Steps for the Perfect Beer Cheese Spread

Step One: Combine the Base

A glass bowl containing shredded cheddar cheese, several dollops of cream cheese, and sprinkled seasoning on a light blue surface. — Add cheddar, cream cheese, Worcestershire, and all the seasonings to a large bowl.

A glass mixing bowl containing a thick, beige dough mixture and a pink silicone spatula, resting on a blue textured surface. — Use a hand or stand mixer to beat until everything is smooth and well blended.

Step Two: Pour in the Beer

Tip: Start with less beer than you think you need. You can always add more for a looser texture.

A glass bowl filled with a creamy, chunky mixture being stirred with a pink spatula. A bottle of Yuengling Traditional Lager is partially visible in the top right corner on a blue surface. — Slowly add the beer while mixing until everything comes together into a creamy, spreadable texture.

Step Three: Chill and Serve

Transfer to a bowl, cover, and chill in the fridge until ready to serve. The flavor gets even better after a few hours.

If you loved this recipe, give it a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating! Also, snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #butterandbaggage and tagging me @butterandbaggage.

A bowl of creamy spread topped with cracked black pepper, placed on a metal plate with a spoon beside it; part of a pretzel is visible on a separate plate in the corner.

Creamy Beer Cheese Spread – A Classic Kentucky Appetizer

Author: Barbara Curry

This spread is creamy, sharp, and a little spicy—made from cheddar, cream cheese, and a touch of beer for that unmistakable kick. It takes just 10 minutes to make, and once you try it, you’ll understand why it’s a Bluegrass staple.

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PREP: 10

TOTAL: 10

Servings:

Ingredients

Instructions

Combine cheddar cheese, cream cheese salt, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne black pepper and Worcestershire sauce in a large bowl. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer to mix until it is well combined. Slowly add beer, adjusting based on how it tastes and continue to mix until it is combined.

Barbara’s Tips + Notes

Make ahead: Beer cheese actually improves after a few hours of chilling.
Serving tip: Let it sit out for 10–15 minutes before serving so it softens slightly for easier dipping.

Nutrition

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