Golden Gouda Beer Mustard Soup

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Ingredients:

· 3 slices bacon chopped

· 1 large red onion chopped

· 1 large celery stalk chopped

· ¼ cup chopped carrot

· 2 cloves garlic minced

· 1 tsp dry mustard

· ¼ tsp Cayenne

· ¼ tsp salt

· 4 Tbsp butter

· 4 Tbsp all purpose flour

· 2 cups lager (recommend Von Trapp’s Vienna Lager if available)

· 1 c half and half

· 1 cup milk

· 8 oz sharp white cheddar cheese freshly grated

· 4 oz colby-jack cheese, freshly grated

· 7 oz Bill’s Crafted BeerCheez - Golden Gouda

· Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

· Thyme (Optional)

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Directions:

1. Heat a large stock pot over medium heat and add chopped bacon. Fry until crispy and remove bacon with a slotted spoon and place on a paper towel to drain.

2. Reduce heat to low and add onions, peppers and carrots. Cook for about 10 minutes,

3. Add garlic, cayenne and dry mustard and cook for 30 seconds,

4. Increase heat to medium-high and add in butter.

5. When sizzling, whisk in flour and cook for 3-4 minutes until flour is golden brown. (Cook less for thicker soup)

6. Slowly add in beer, whisking constantly, cook for 5 minutes until it thickens.

7. Heat half and half and milk and add to pot

8. Turn off heat (or remove from burner) and gradually add the grated cheese, stirring until smooth

9. Put back on low heat, stir in Bill’s Crafted BeerCheez – Golden gouda

10. Season to taste with salt and pepper

11. Serve in a bowl or bread bowl topped with reserved bacon and fresh herbs of your choice (recommend fresh Thyme)