Beer Cheese Soup

 While hibernating during the Corona Virus, I've got plenty of time to add a couple more of my favorite soup recipes.
I have been searching for a long time for a beer cheese soup that tastes like the soup I remember eating in a restaurant in New Ulm, MN when I was in college. (Just a few years ago.) :) This is definitely the closest to what I remember. Yummy!

 Ingredients

1 1/2 cups diced carrots

1 1/2 cups diced onion

1 1/2 cups diced celery

2 cloves 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.