March Madness “Cooking With Beer” – Spicy Imperial IPA Cheese Dip

March Madness is ON and you’re gonna need the right snacks, like this spicy cheese dip made with a serious IPA.

Here’s a delicious recipe for a spicy cheese dip that combines the bold, hoppy flavors  of an Imperial India Pale Ale, with deftly spiced artisan cheese.

And although this recipe will benefit from any Imperial IPA, we went with Tröegs Graffiti Highway Double IPA, a 9.5 ABV India Pale Ale with mosaic of intense fruit-forward flavors, that will also compliment whatever basketball tournament game you’re currently watching…

This recipe couldn’t be easier to make and the beer really adds something special to the mix.

So let’s do this!

Spicy Imperial IPA Cheese Dip

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup India Pale Ale (IPA) beer
• 1 tablespoon hot sauce (adjust to taste)
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for extra heat)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh cilantro or green onions, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Instructions:

Cook the Aromatics:

• Heat olive oil in a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat.
• Add the chopped onion and cook for about 3–4 minutes until softened and translucent.
• Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.

Add the Beer:

• Pour in the IPA beer and stir, scraping any bits off the bottom of the pan.
• Let the beer simmer for about 5 minutes to reduce slightly and concentrate the flavor.

Melt the Cheese:

• Reduce the heat to low and stir in the cream cheese, allowing it to melt into the beer mixture.
• Gradually add the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese, stirring constantly until the cheese is fully melted and the dip becomes smooth.

Add Flavor and Spice:

• Stir in sour cream, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper (if using), hot sauce, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Let the dip cook for another 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until everything is well combined and heated through.

Serve:

• Transfer the dip to a serving bowl and garnish with chopped cilantro or green onions if desired.
• Serve hot with tortilla chips, pretzels, crusty bread, or fresh veggies for dipping.

Expert Tips:

• If you prefer a thicker dip, you can add a little cornstarch (about 1 teaspoon) mixed with water, or let it simmer a bit longer to reduce.
• For extra heat, we recommend that you increase the cayenne pepper or add some finely diced jalapeños.
• Feel free to experiment with different cheeses, like pepper jack, to adjust things to your liking!

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