It is a wonderful time of year for beer enthusiasts! As the weather finally teases us with the thought of cooling down here on the sunny west coast of Florida, we are overwhelmed with so many great seasonal beer options. The most well known is the Oktoberfest Beer, brewed in Bavaria to honor (Crown Prince) Ludwig, later to become King Ludwig I, as he was married to Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen on Oct. 12, 1810.

To this day, brewers all over the nation and the world brew this special style of beer and enjoy the celebration of their anniversary, now known as Oktoberfest. There are festivals almost every weekend where you can enjoy all the brews and be merry. Where there is great beer, there is usually great fun and great food not far behind.

The brew family loves this time of year, not only for the beer and the food, but the festivities. Some of the brew families' favorite festive games are stein hoisting competitions, yodeling competitions and Dirndl/Lederhosen best dressed competitions! Throw in a little live music and cornhole under the giant oak and you have one happy group of people.

Anyone is welcome to join in the fun and festivities with us at the brewery each Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Oct. 25. Motorworks Brewing has fantastic food trucks that keep the German spirit alive in the brewery with German style food options made on site. Minors must be accompanied by an adult before 7 p.m., and no minors are allowed after 7 p.m.

There is one recipe that has eventually been passed through the hands of almost every member of the brew family – the classic beer cheese soup, made with Motorworks Brewing Oktoberfest Beer or V Twin Lager. Whichever one is easier to get your mitts on will make for a delightful treat on a brisk fall evening. The beer cheese soup is a simple classic and a must have for any beer enthusiasts at home. It is also one of the quickest ways into a beer geek’s heart. Make the meal complete by adding some pretzel bites and a cold Motorworks Brew to accentuate all the cheesy beer goodness and wash it down. Prost!

BEER CHEESE SOUP

Ingredients

• 3 Tbs. extra virgin olive oil or enough to coat bottom of pan
• 2 cups chopped onion or about 2 medium
• 2-3 pinches salt and pepper
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 12 oz. Motorworks Brewing Oktoberfest beer or V Twin Lager
• 3 cups chicken broth, divided
• ½ cup all-purpose flour or about 2¼ oz
• 2 cups 2 percent reduced-fat milk
• ¼ tsp. freshly ground black pepper
• 1¼ cups or 5 ounces shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese
Optional garnishes
• Fried bacon, crumbled;
• Finely chopped fresh chives;
• Sourdough bread, cut into 1-inch cubes and toasted in oven.

Directions

1. Heat 3 Tbs. of olive oil in a heavy stock pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onion, along with a few pinches of salt and pepper, and sauté for about 4 to 5 minutes. Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute.

2. Stir in beer and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 20 minutes or until onion is tender.

3. Carefully pour beer mixture and half of chicken broth (1½ cups) into a blender. To avoid a mess, allow steam to escape by removing center piece of blender lid. Make sure blender lid is secure and place a clean towel over opening in blender lid. Blend until smooth. Set aside.

4. Whisk together flour and ½ cup chicken broth. Add to stock pot and heat to bubbling over medium-high stirring continually for about 1 to 2 minutes.

5. Return blended beer mixture to pan. Whisk to combine with flour/broth mixture. Stir in remaining 1 cup of broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer for about 10 minutes.

6. Whisk in milk and pepper. Cook for about 10 minutes or until slightly thickened.

7. Remove pan from heat. Gradually stir in cheese until smooth.

Optional: Serve with bacon crumbles, chives, and/or bread cubes.