Easy Beer Cheese Dip Recipe (Hot or Cold)

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

This easy-to-make Beer Cheese Dip is packed with zesty flavors and a hint of your favorite beer. Served hot or cold with pretzels, chips, or veggies, it’s the ultimate appetizer for parties or game day gatherings.

Beer cheese dip in white bowl surrounded by pretzels

Beer Cheese Dip Recipe

If you’ve never tried beer cheese dip, you may be wondering what all the fuss is about. Pub-style beer cheese dip is creamy, cheesy, a tad garlicky, and has a hint of that tangy ranch goodness. Your favorite beer is added, giving it a subtle richness that sets it apart from other types of cheese dip.

Served hot or cold, your guests will love dunking these homemade Soft Pretzel Bites in the cheesy connection! This dip is also great with these full-sized Soft Pretzels, chips, veggies or slices of crusty bread. It’s the perfect appetizer recipe for game day, movie night or just chilling at home with friends.

Why We Love This Recipe

Simple to make – This easy beer cheese dip makes an easy appetizer in just 5 minutes, using a few basic ingredients.
Homemade deliciousness – This creamy dip tastes even better than pub-style cheese dip you get at restaurants.
Versatile – You can serve it cold or hot with any of your favorite dippable snacks. It’s perfect for game day or any party.

Ingredients

Cream cheese (softened and cut into cubes)
Beer (Pale Ale or any type lighter beer)
Ranch dressing mix
Stone-ground mustard
Fresh garlic clove (minced)
Sharp cheddar cheese (shredded)
Monterey jack cheese
Fresh green onions or parsley for garnish (optional)

Serve with: pretzels, crackers, crusty bread, or fresh vegetables

How to Make The Best Beer Cheese Dip

To Serve Cold:

Step 1. In a food processor, combine the three types of cheese, ranch dressing mix, mustard, and minced garlic. Process until smooth. Scrape down the sides and blend again as needed.

Note: If you don’t have a food processor, use a hand mixer to combine ingredients into a large bowl and mix together on medium speed until smooth and creamy.

Ingredients for beer cheese dip in food processor

Step 2. Pour in the beer slowly and continue to mix together until well blended.

Step 3. Transfer to a bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Place in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve.

Tip: Though not required, chilling also gives the flavors time to come together. I like to chill it for about 2 hours prior to serving

Beer cheese dip blended in food processor

Step 4. Garnish with fresh chopped green onions or parsley. Enjoy!

To Serve Hot

Step 1. In a medium skillet over medium heat, melt the softened cream cheese.

Step 2. Slowly mix in the beer, whisking until smooth and well combined.

Step 3. Mix in the ranch dressing mix, Dijon mustard, and garlic. Turn off the heat and remove it from the stove.

Step 4. Add the shredded cheese a little at a time and mix it in until fully melted.

Step 5. Transfer the dip to a serving bowl, garnish with fresh chopped green onions or parsley. Serve and enjoy!

How to Serve This Cheesy Dip

Pretzel bites are the most common snack served with beer cheese, but here are some other awesome ways you can serve it:

Fresh vegetables: Broccoli and cauliflower florets, carrot and celery sticks are popular veggies with this dip.

Potatoes: Use it as a cheese sauce for French fries or potato wedges. It’s even delish drizzled over baked potatoes.

Chips: Corn or tortilla chips, pita chips, crunchy pretzel chips or just regular potato chips go great with the ingredients used in the dip.

Fondue: This is a great recipe to add to a fondue pot once the cheese is fully melted. Serve it with pieces of crusty bread, toasted French or sourdough bread.

Mac and cheese: Make a grownup version of mac and cheese by using this dip as a cheese sauce in your favorite macaroni and cheese recipe.

Beer cheese dip paired with mini pretzels

Easy Homemade Beer Cheese Variations and Add-ins

Adjust the garlic: There is a little garlic powder in the ranch dressing mix so if you don’t want extra garlic, you can omit adding the minced garlic clove.

Add some heat: Feel free to add other spices such as cayenne pepper for a little kick. You can also add chopped jalapenos, red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce.

Worcestershire sauce: Though this recipe does not call for it, a couple of dashes of Worcestershire adds another level of flavor.

Crispy bacon: Fried bacon crumbles and cheese dip go hand-in-hand. Add some when you add the cheese or use it as a garnish.

Beer cheese dip topped with shredded cheeses

Recipe FAQs

Can I make this beer cheese dip in advance?

This dip can be made and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat it over low heat in a medium saucepan or in the microwave for about 1 minute.

What kind of beer is best for this dip?

Though you can use most any beer, for best results, avoid fruit flavored or floral beers. I prefer to use lagers, pale ales, or IPA’s. Lighter beer flavors the dip without overpowering it. If you prefer a more intense beer flavor, choose a stronger, darker beer.

Can I make beer cheese dip with non alcoholic beer?

Sure! Non-alcoholic beer from O’Doul’s, Corona, Coors, Samuel Adams all make really good non alcoholic beers that will also work in this recipe.

Top Tip

Pre-shredded cheese is coated with anti-caking agents to prevent it from clumping together. To make sure the overall texture of the dip is smooth and creamy, it’s best to shred the cheese yourself. It also melts much better if you’re serving this dip warm.

Small pretzel being dipped into beer cheese dip

Want More Delicious Dip Recipes?

4.95 from 40 votes

Beer Cheese Dip

Course Appetizers/Party Foods

Cuisine American

Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

This easy-to-make Beer Cheese Dip can be served either hot or cold and makes the ultimate appetizer for parties or game day gatherings.

Equipment

food processor

Ingredients

▢ 16 ounces cream cheese softened and cut into cubes
▢ 2 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
▢ ½ cup shredded monterey jack cheese
▢ 1 packet ranch dressing mix
▢ 2 teaspoons stoneground mustard
▢ 1 garlic clove minced
▢ ½ cup beer I used Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
▢ Fresh chopped green onions or parsley for garnish optional

Instructions

To Serve Cold:

In a food processor, combine the three types of cheese, ranch dressing mix, mustard, and minced garlic. Process until smooth. Scrape down the sides and blend again as needed.
16 ounces cream cheese, 2 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, ½ cup shredded monterey jack cheese, 1 packet ranch dressing mix, 2 teaspoons stoneground mustard, 1 garlic clove
Note: If you don’t have a food processor, use a hand mixer to combine ingredients into a large bowl and mix together on medium speed until smooth and creamy.
Pour in the beer slowly and continue to mix together until well blended.
½ cup beer
Transfer to a bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Place in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve.
Garnish with fresh chopped green onions or parsley. Enjoy!
Fresh chopped green onions or parsley for garnish

To Serve Hot

In a medium skillet over medium heat, melt the softened cream cheese.
16 ounces cream cheese
Slowly mix in the beer, whisking until smooth and well combined.
½ cup beer
Mix in the ranch dressing mix, Dijon mustard, and garlic. Turn off the heat and remove it from the stove.
1 packet ranch dressing mix, 2 teaspoons stoneground mustard, 1 garlic clove
Add the shredded cheese a little at a time and mix it in until fully melted.
2 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, ½ cup shredded monterey jack cheese
Transfer the dip to a serving bowl, garnish with fresh chopped green onions or parsley. Serve and enjoy!
Fresh chopped green onions or parsley for garnish

Notes

If you’re making this dip cold, chilling also gives the flavors time to come together. I like to chill it for about 2 hours prior to serving. However, it’s still totally fine to serve this right after preparing it if you don’t the extra time for chilling.
This dip can also be made with non-alcoholic beer. O’Doul’s, Corona, Coors, Samuel Adams all make really good non alcoholic beers that will also work in this recipe.