Beer Cheese Soup

1/4 cup diced onion

1/4 cup diced carrot

1/4 cup diced celery

1/2 cup butter

1/4 cup flour

24 oz chicken stock

12 oz beer (Your favorite or Sam Adams is full of flavor)

16 oz shredded sharp cheddar

8 oz shredded swiss

16 oz half &; half

1 tsp worcestershire

Dash hot sauce (or more to taste)

 ;

Puree onions, carrots and celery in processor. Melt butter in 4 quart saucepan and add pureed vegetables. Saute until tender. Add flour and cook for 5 minutes. Add chicken stock and beer; Cook until boiling. Slowly add cheeses and cook until melted. Add half and half, worcestershire and hot sauce. Stir to mix and serve.

To make even more decadent:

• Crumble goat cheese in bowl before adding soup.

• Crumble cooked bacon on top.

• Add cooked sausage. (For Wisonsoners! :)

• Serve with cheesy garlic bread.

Or to tone it down:

• Add 1-2 cups half and half or milk.