AGED-CHEDDAR AND BEER DIP

Aged-Cheddar and Beer Dip image

Provided by Martha Stewart

Time 25m

Yield Serves 6 to 8

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 bottle (12 ounces) lager beer
4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature, cut into 6 to 8 pieces
6 ounces extra-sharp cheddar, grated (about 1 1/2 cups)
6 ounces Gruyere, grated (about 1 1/2 cups)
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1/4 cup coarsely crushed pretzel rods, plus whole pretzel rods for serving
Inner celery stalks, for serving

Steps:

Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add flour; cook, whisking, about 2 minutes. Add thyme and mustard, then gradually add beer, whisking constantly until smooth. Bring to a boil and cook 1 minute more.
Reduce heat to medium. Add cream cheese, a piece at a time, whisking constantly until smooth. Whisk in cheddar and Gruyere, a handful at a time, until melted. Remove from heat. Add Worcestershire. Season with salt and pepper. Serve, sprinkled with pretzel crumbs, with pretzel rods and celery.