The Best Beers for Beer Cheese: Our Top Picks
Beer cheese, whether it is a dip or a spread, is rich and tangy, so you want a beer that keeps things bright. An amber or pale ale gives you the malt to match the cheese and enough hop to stop it feeling heavy. These four are what I reach for.
| Beer | Style | Our rating | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Belgium Fat Tire Amber Ale | Amber Ale | 4.1/5 | A balanced, malty base |
| Sierra Nevada Pale Ale | American Pale Ale | 4.3/5 | Hops to cut the richness |
| Newcastle Brown Ale | English Brown Ale | 4.2/5 | Nutty depth |
| Anchor Steam Beer | California Common | 4.4/5 | Toasty character |
Beer cheese lives or dies on balance. A malty amber gives it body, a hoppy pale keeps it from turning cloying.
The Best Beers for Beer Cheese, Reviewed
New Belgium Fat Tire Amber Ale
The natural partner. Its toasty amber malt echoes the nutty cheese and keeps the whole thing balanced. Read the full New Belgium Fat Tire Amber Ale review.
- Biscuit malt with light hops
- Nicely balanced
- Easy craft option
- Middle of the road
- Less exciting than it once was
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
A little hop bitterness here cuts the richness of a heavy cheese dip so it never feels claggy. Read the full Sierra Nevada Pale Ale review.
- Bright Cascade pine and citrus
- The benchmark pale ale
- Very versatile
- Hop bite is a lot for some
- Not sweet
Newcastle Brown Ale
Nutty and smooth, it doubles as a lovely beer to actually stir into the cheese as well as drink alongside it. Read the full Newcastle Brown Ale review.
- Nutty caramel malt
- Smooth and easy
- A classic brown ale
- Slightly sweet
- Low hop character
Anchor Steam Beer
This California common has a toasty, slightly fruity malt that flatters a sharp cheddar beer cheese. Read the full Anchor Steam Beer review.
- Toasty malt with a light hop bite
- Versatile with most food
- Iconic American craft beer
- Harder to find outside the US
- Middle of the road for extremes
How to serve it properly
Beer cheese is a sharing dish, so it deserves a proper board. A slate set with knives makes an easy centrepiece for a night in.
Beer Cheese and Beer: FAQs
Does beer cheese have alcohol in it?
Yes, some survives the cooking process, usually a small fraction of the original amount depending on cook time. We break down the actual cooking-retention numbers in our does beer cheese have alcohol guide.
What beer is best for beer cheese?
An amber ale gives the smoothest result. Fat Tire adds biscuit malt without bitterness. For a sharper dip, a pale ale like Sierra Nevada Pale Ale cuts the richness.
Can I use the same beer in beer cheese soup?
Yes, the same styles carry over. We break it down further in our beer cheese soup guide.
Related pairings: beer for beer cheese soup, beer for a BBQ, beer for pulled pork.
