Cheddar, Jalapeño & Bacon Dip

8 oz. Cream Cheese, softened
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 cup (amber or dark) beer
6 slices cooked thick cut (hickory smoked) bacon, chopped
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
2 fresh jalapeño peppers, halved, seeded and thinly sliced

1. Preheat oven to 350º.

2. Beat cream cheese and garlic powder in medium bowl with mixer until blended. Gradually beat in beer. Stir in remaining ingredients.

3. Spread onto bottom of 1-1/2 qt. casserole or 9-inch pie plate.

4. Bake 15 to 20 min. or until heated through.

Serving Suggestion

Serve with assorted hearty crackers, corn chip scoops, crisp bread sticks and/or cut-up fresh vegetables, such as celery sticks and red pepper strips.

Milk can be substituted for beer  for a non-alcoholic version.