NovemberFEST

'Twas a little belated for Oktoberfest but nonetheless, invited a couple of friends over last night for a sampling of fine fall flavors.  Wish I had gotten more photos, but the menu included...

Bier! Hot Pretzels and Beer Cheese! Apples and Caramel! Sausage and Peppers! 
Pumpkin Ice Cream! Cider! Beer Bread! 

Oktoberfest Beer Cheese Dip

(16 ounce) package shredded Cheddar cheese (4 cups)
(8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
2 cups of a good, dark beer
2 teaspoons garlic powder

1. Melt the cream cheese in a large saucepan over medium heat. (If you take it straight out of refrigerator, you can soften a bit in microwave first).

2. Add the beer, stirring together and letting it blend.

3. Stir in the Cheddar cheese, and garlic powder; heat, stirring continually, until all the cheese is melted.

4. Serve as a dip with cubes of crusty bread (Tastefully Simple beer bread is particularly good), veggies (I like it with cauliflower and red bell peppers).  Or, you can buy those frozen soft pretzels you bake in the oven and serve with this.  Delicious!

5. You can transfer from saucepan into glass casserole dish for presentation, and microwave to re-heat as needed throughout your party.  You can also serve in a scooped out bread bowl.

Its so simple, and comes together really quickly.  You don't want to make it too far in advance before your guests arrive.  Use a good quality dark beer, too.  The flavor really comes thru in the dip.  I'd recommend something like Guinness, or some kind of a stout or porter.

Delicious!