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Beer Cheese Fondue

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This Beer Cheese Fondue makes for a perfect game day appetizer.  Your favorite beer, cheddar cheese and onion become a perfect, melty dipping sauce. #fondue #cheese #appetizers #partyfood #party #dips #beer

This Beer Cheese Fondue combines your favorite beer, cheddar cheese and onion that comes together in this perfect, melty dipping sauce.

A fondue pot full of Beer Cheese Fondue with a fork dipping a piece of bread.

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Original content posted February 2014.  Updated December 2020.

This Beer Cheese Fondue is an appetizer that we’ve been enjoying for years now.  In fact, as I was making it this last time, I was thinking of all of the people we have enjoyed it with.  

A pretzel dipping into Beer Cheese Fondue.

Andy’s parents around our miniscule dining room in Columbia, our friends Chris and Travis in Missouri – the only friends we’ve ever had that were also Bears fans, a Super Bowl party with all of the neurosurgery residents in our cramped living room in Madison and just a few weeks ago with new friends here in Cleveland.  

I’ve yet to serve this delicious appetizer to anyone who didn’t fall in love with it.

Beer Cheese Fondue on a wooden board surrounded by pretzels, apples and bread.

This Beer Cheese Fondue is another example of why I love pairing beer and cheese together for a comforting and filling dish.  You can also find them in my Bacon Crusted Beer Mac and Cheese as well as my Reuben and Guinness Mac and Cheese.  There’s a reason why they call them comfort foods, my friends! 

TIP: If you’re on the hunt for a little more spice, you’ll want to check out my Mexican Beer Cheese Fondue. 

A fondue pot full of Beer Cheese Fondue surrounded by pretzels, bread and apples.

You’ll find us enjoying this fondue on both New Year’s Eve and for the Super Bowl.  With just seven ingredients, it comes together in just minutes and I’m bound to have everything on hand.  Win, win, win.  

A hand dips a fork with a piece of bread into a fondue pot of Beer Cheese Fondue.

What to Dip in Beer Cheese Fondue

Your favorite beer, cheddar cheese and onion come together in this perfect, melty dipping sauce.   Apples, crusty bread and soft pretzels are our top picks for dippers.  We’ve also been known to grab for slices of kielbasa sausage and pepperoni as well as dried apricots, baby carrots and cherry tomatoes.  The possibilities are endless!

In the unlikely event that you happen to have any leftover Beer Cheese Fondue, you might also try it cold from the fridge as a spread on your favorite sandwich.  Andy’s dad discovered this shortly after I began making it and I have to agree he’s on to something!

Step by step photos of how to create Beer Cheese Fondue, steps 1-4.

How to Make Beer Cheese Fondue

[1]  In a small saucepan add garlic, onion and butter.

[2]  Sauté onion and garlic in butter until tender.

[3]  Add beer to saucepan.

[4]  Bring beer mixture to a boil.  Then, reduce heat to medium-low.

Step by step photos of how to create Beer Cheese Fondue, steps 5-8.

[5]  In a small bowl, toss cheese and flour together in small bowl.

TIP: Tossing the cheese and flour together helps to prevent the cheese from clumping when you stir the cheese into the hot fondue mixture.

[6]  Stir cheese into saucepan until melted.

[7]  Add 2 tablespoons half and half to fondue and stir to combine.

[8]  Transfer fondue to fondue pot and keep warm.

TIP: If the fondue begins to thicken after it is in the fondue pot, simply stir in a few additional tablespoons of half and half to keep the consistency smooth and creamy.

A fork with a piece of bread dipped into Beer Cheese Fondue.

If you’ve tried this Beer Cheese Fondue or any other recipe on Melanie Makes, please let me know your thoughts in the comments below.  I love hearing from you and respond to each and every comment! 

You can also follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest for more delicious recipes.

Print Recipe
4.63 from 16 votes

Beer Cheese Fondue

This Beer Cheese Fondue combines your favorite beer, cheddar cheese and onion that comes together in this perfect, melty dipping sauce.
Prep Time5 mins
Cook Time15 mins
Total Time20 mins
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6
Calories: 353kcal
Author: Melanie Bauer | Melanie Makes

Ingredients

  • 1 onion chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 cup beer
  • 4 cups cheddar cheese shredded
  • 1 tablespoon flour
  • 2-4 tablespoons half and half

Instructions

  • In a small saucepan add garlic, onion and butter.
  • Sauté onion and garlic in butter until tender.
  • Add beer to saucepan.
  • Bring beer mixture to a boil.  Then, reduce heat to medium-low.
  • In a small bowl, toss cheese and flour together in small bowl.
    TIP: Tossing the cheese and flour together helps to prevent the cheese from clumping when you stir the cheese into the hot fondue mixture.
  • Stir cheese into saucepan until melted.
  • Add 2 tablespoons half and half to fondue and stir to combine.
  • Transfer fondue to fondue pot and keep warm.
    TIP: If the fondue begins to thicken after it is in the fondue pot, simply stir in a few additional tablespoons of half and half to keep the consistency smooth and creamy.

Notes

TIP: If you’re on the hunt for a little more spice, you’ll want to check out my Mexican Beer Cheese Fondue. 
 

Nutrition

Calories: 353kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Cholesterol: 85mg | Sodium: 489mg | Potassium: 123mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 830IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 556mg | Iron: 0.6mg

Reader Interactions

Comments

    • Melanie says

      Hey, Mandi - I haven't tried doing this but you might be able to! Let me know if you give it a try and how it works!
      Reply

  2. Bee Yinn Low says

    This was my first fondue ever, making and eating. I made it for my husband exactly as directed and it was a huge hit. Loved it! A great recipe I will definitely make again.
    Reply

    • Melanie says

      Hi, Cheri - You definitely could dip whatever meat you'd like into this fondue. We've tried it with kielbasa and it was a winner!
      Reply

  4. Stephanie says

    I love beer cheese dip- and these pictures are GORGEOUS!! I am a food blogger too and am always working on my photography skills. I love this bowl AND these forks! Would you be able to tell me where you got them? I like the way the forks don't seem to shine :) Thank you so much, keep up the awesome work! -Stephanie
    Reply

  13. Flavia says

    Hi Melanie! I'm planning to make this recipe, it looks and sounds heavenly!! I scrolled through all the lovely comments trying to find an answer... Forgive me if I missed it. The question is, what would be the best beer to use? Any particular brand and blend? TIA! Flavia Andrews
    Reply

    • melanie says

      Hi, Flavia! I've used several different types when making this - usually whatever I happen to have on hand! - and have always had great results. I say pick your favorite and you can't go wrong!
      Reply

  14. Lisa says

    I made this tonight for a party and it was absolutely amazing!!! It was so easy to prepare and it had so much flavor. There was none leftover!
    Reply

  24. Stacy says

    Welcome to Sunday Supper! We are great fans of cheese fondue as well, Melanie. In fact, a couple of birthdays ago, it was my elder daughter's dinner of choice. It's the perfect dish for a party because everyone has to gather round!
    Reply

  25. Renee says

    Absolutely divine for sure! I've have about 6 of those fondue forks going at one time. And welcome to Sunday Supper - so glad you joined in with us this week. I can't wait to see you join in more of our events.
    Reply

    • melanie says

      Thanks you so much, Isabel! What an amazing community you've created - so thrilled to have been able to participate!
      Reply

  40. Travis says

    Think about you and Andy every time it watch a bears game! Seems so long ago, but enjoy the memories. Congrats on all the success and new beginnings in Cleveland!
    Reply

  42. Nichole C says

    Oh yum! I love fondue, esp cheese fondue! I have the same pot at home, and it hasn't been used in ages. I think after this recipe, it's time to re-visit ;)
    Reply

    • melanie says

      That Cuisinart fondue pot is my favorite! It doesn't scorch AND it's super easy to clean. WIN! Let me know if you try it!
      Reply

  43. Alice // Hip Foodie Mom says

    Melanie! Welcome to Sunday Supper!!! Woot woot!!! So glad you joined!!! And hello?! I have all of the ingredients at home today. . even the pretzel bread rolls from Costco. . I am SO making this today!!! I was going to make queso but will make an extra bowl of this deliciousness!!! I love this! How much does this recipe make? I'm thinking of halfing everything?
    Reply

    • melanie says

      Thanks so much, Alice! You were my motivation to join! The full recipe will make between 4-5 cups of fondue. If you have all the ingredients, I say make the full recipe. The leftovers reheat beautifully. :)
      Reply

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