Mighty Arrow Cheddar Soup

One of the rewards for being a Foodbuzz featured publisher is being a taste tester. We get the awesome opportunity to taste products and review them. So I give a BIG thank-you to Foodbuzz and New Belgium Brewing Company for giving me the chance to sample one of their delicious products.

For my recipe, Beer Cheese Soup, I decided to go with a seasonal beer from New Belgium Brewing Company. So I chose MIGHTY ARROW Pale Ale. It provides lots of pleasurable sniffs from Amarillo and Cascade hops with a fetching honey malt base.

Ingredients:
1-1/2 cups carrots, diced
1-1/2 cups onion, diced
1-1/2 cups celery, diced
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
3 cups chicken broth
2 cups beer
1/3 cup butter
1/3 cup flour
4 cups milk or half and half
6 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon dry mustard

Directions:
1. In a large saucepan over medium heat, stir together carrots, onion, celery, and garlic. Stir in hot pepper sauce, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. Pour in chicken broth and beer; simmer until vegetables are tender, about 12 minutes. Remove from heat.

2. Meanwhile, heat butter in a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Stir in flour with a wire whisk; cook, stirring until the flour is light brown, about 3 or 4 minutes. Gradually stir in milk, whisking to prevent scorching, until thickened. Remove from heat, and gradually stir in cheese. Keep warm.

3. Stir beer mixture into cheese mixture. Stir in Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and dry mustard. Adjust for hot pepper sauce. Bring to a simmer, and cook 10 minutes. Serve topped with popcorn.

Prep Time .... 30 minutes
Cook Time .... 45 minutes
Serves ....... 8