When the air turns crisp, the fire’s crackling in the pit, and leaves start piling up in the yard, nothing hits harder than a skillet of bubbling Beer Cheese Dip with some crumbled sausage. This one’s made with Sam Adams Octoberfest, a seasonal brew that brings those rich fall vibes straight into the melty cheese.
Post sponsored by Sam Adams Octoberfest
According to Samuel Adams, “This hearty and smooth Märzen is a pröst to fall. Its deep amber color, mild pleasant sweetness, and light hop character is a hearty (but not heavy).” In other words, it brings in that fall-inspired maltiness that pairs perfectly with melted cheese and spicy sausage. It’s like the ultimate pub-style beer cheese dip, only cooked over fire and loaded with smoky flavor.
Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love Sausage Beer Cheese Dip
- Ingredients for the Best Beer Dip
- Most Anticipated Grill of 2025
- How to Make Easy Beer Cheese Dip
- Pro Tip: Don’t rush the whisk
- What to Serve with Sausage Beer Cheese Dip
- Sausage beer cheese dip Leftovers & Reheating
- More Cheese Dips to Try
- Beer Cheese Dip FAQs
- Beer Cheese Dip with Sausage Recipe
Why You’ll Love Sausage Beer Cheese Dip
The thing your taste buds realize after your first dip is that beer and cheese just freakin’ belong together. With a mix of sharp cheddar cheese, cream cheese, and whole milk, it’s creamy, savory, and all the things you dream about when it comes to cheesy dips.
Another thing you’ll love is the addition of spicy sausage. It’s a classic add that just makes sense. The Dijon mustard brings the right amount of tang, the Worcestershire sauce brings depth, and the cayenne pepper kicks in some heat. And then the Sam Adams Octoberfest? That’s the kicker. It gives the dip that malty, slightly sweet beer flavor that balances the richness of the cheese.
If you’re scrolling for more dip ideas, check out Best Dip Recipes. Easy Buffalo Chicken Dip with Stuffed Crust is definitely one of my all-time faves.
Ingredients for the Best Beer Dip
When you’re ready to make the best beer dip ever, here are the simple ingredients you’ll need to pull it all together. From prep to finish, this recipe should take you about two hours.
- The Creamy Beer Dip — Spicy Italian sausage, a block of sharp cheddar, cream cheese, milk, and Sam Adams Octoberfest.
- The Seasonings — Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, cayenne, and a pinch of kosher salt.
- Garnish — Green onions or parsley.
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How to Make Easy Beer Cheese Dip
Brown the sausage
Start by getting your grill nice and hot, about 350F for medium-high heat. Set a big cast-iron skillet right on the grates and let it warm up for a couple minutes. Then add in the sausage and let it sizzle away until it’s browned and cooked through to 165F. Don’t even think about draining that fat, because it’s liquid gold that’s going to flavor the rest of this dip.
Make the roux
Next, sprinkle in some flour along with garlic powder and cayenne. Stir it around until everything comes together into a thick paste. This little step is what turns the skillet into a sauce-making machine. It’s the base that will hold all that cheese together later.
The sauce
Now comes the fun part, actually making the beer cheese sauce. Slowly pour in the Sam Adams Octoberfest, just a little at a time, whisking as you go. The beer bubbles, the paste loosens, and suddenly you’ve got this malty, rich base that smells insane. That Octoberfest is what sets this apart. It’s where the signature beer flavor really kicks in.
Once the beer’s worked in, stir in the Dijon mustard, Worcestershire, and whole milk. Keep whisking until it’s smooth and creamy.
Time to bring in the cheese. Toss in shredded sharp cheddar and a block of cream cheese, then keep things on low heat. Stir until everything melts into one creamy, dreamy sauce. If it’s too thick, splash in a little more milk. If you want a thicker dip, let it hang out and simmer until it tightens up.
Beer Cheese Dip Finishing touches
To finish it off, top the skillet with the sausage you cooked earlier and a handful of extra cheese. Slide it under the broiler until the top turns golden and bubbly. Pull it off the heat, scatter some fresh green onions over the top, and serve it hot with your favorite dippers.
Pro Tip: Don’t rush the whisk
Don’t rush the whisking when you add the beer. Letting the Octoberfest slowly blend into the flour and spices is the great way to avoid clumps and build that silky-smooth base. Add your cheese slowly, too, because dumping it all in at once makes it harder to get that epic creamy texture.
What to Serve with Sausage Beer Cheese Dip
This skillet is perfect for game day (make sure to add it to your Super Bowl recipe roster), served with classic pretzel bites, homemade soft pretzels, or tortilla chips. But don’t sleep on fresh carrot sticks, celery sticks, or apple slices for a crunchy, refreshing contrast. Even baguette slices make it feel like a cheese fondue setup.
If you’re building a full charcuterie board, this dip is the centerpiece surrounded by meats, different kinds of cheese, and favorite dippers. Also, don’t forget the cold beer! Crack open the Sam Adams Octoberfest and let the festivities begin!
Sausage beer cheese dip Leftovers & Reheating
If you somehow end up with leftover beer cheese dip, let it cool to room temperature and then transfer it to an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
For freezing, spoon into a freezer-safe container, cover with plastic wrap, and stash for later. When reheating, place the dip back in a skillet over low heat to restore the creamy texture. Add a splash of milk if needed.
More Cheese Dips to Try
Beer Cheese Dip FAQs
When it comes to cheese, you have some great options. Sharp cheddar cheese is classic, but mixing in Colby cheese, Swiss cheese, or even different kinds of cheese can give the dip a new spin.
For fall, Sam Adams Octoberfest is perfect. But depending on your favorite style, a pale ale gives a hoppy flavor, dark lagers bring more depth, and lighter beer delivers a milder flavor.
Yes! After browning the sausage and building the base, transfer to a slow cooker to keep warm for parties or special occasions.
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Beer Cheese Dip with Sausage
Ingredients
- 3 links Spicy Italian Sausage without casing
- 3 cups Sharp Cheddar shredded
- ¾ cup Whole Milk
- ⅔ cup Sam Adams Octoberfest
- 1 block Cream Cheese
- ½ cup All Purpose Flour
- 1 tbsp Dijon Mustard
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 tbsp Garlic Powder
- 1.5 tsp Cayenne Powder
- Kosher Salt to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your grill to medium high heat (about 350F)
- Add a cast iron skillet to heat up for 2 minutes, then add in your ground sausage to cook until fully done and 165F internal (about 8-10 minutes). Pull off once but do not take out the fat from the skillet
- Add to your skillet with the fat drippings your flour, garlic powder and cayenne powder and mix for 1-2 minutes.
- Once thickened into a paste, slowly add your Sam Adams Octoberfest in batches to fully integrate it and let the mixture thicken.
- Once mixed, add your mustard, milk and Worcestershire sauce. Finally, add your shredded cheese and cream cheese. Keep stirring until fully integrated and smooth. Thin out the sauce with more milk at the end. Once the sauce is done (about 10 minutes), pull it off and keep warm.
- Top your beer cheese with the sausage and some leftover shredded cheese. Optional: Place in the oven/broiler to get a nice crust on the cheese, then pull off and let cool
- Serve with pretzels and chips for dipping, a cold Sam Adams Octoberfest and enjoy!
