Cheddar Beer Fondue Recipe

Fondue, popular in the us in the 60s and early 70s, has been enjoying a comeback, and with good reason. It's a fun and delicious way to bring friends and family together. A fondue can be savory or sweet. The most common fondues are made with cheese or chocolate. The classic swiss fondue usually contains gruyere, wine, and kirsch liqueur. This version contains cheddar cheese, seasonings, and some beer. For the beer, go for one light on hops and not too bitter. A belgian saison or german bock are both excellent choices. Or use a basic american lager beer, such as allagash white or dogfish's namaste. Avoid a bitter or hoppy beer; it could overwhelm the mellow cheese flavor. For dippers, there are dozens of possibilities. Purchase or bake a rustic artisan-style loaf, ciabatta, sourdough, or crusty french bread and cut it into cubes. Or serve the fondue with chunks of soft pretzels. Whole fresh mushrooms, broccoli or cauliflower florets (lightly steamed or raw), pepper strips, charred shishito peppers, cherry tomatoes, carrots, and baked or roasted potato wedges are some vegetable options. For meat, consider cubes of cooked ham, cooked meatballs, smoked sausage, or turkey.