The History of Beer Cheese

"Snappy Cheese" is what Kentucky refers to as Beer Cheese—made initially near the confluence of the Kentucky River and Howard's Creek, also known as Lower Howard's Creek, in Clark County, Kentucky, over 85 years ago. It is indigenous to the Central Kentucky area called Boonesborough. Made by the head Chef of Turf Catering, Joe Allman, in the late 1930s for his cousin Johnny Allman to give to his patrons at his restaurant on the Kentucky River. Patrons sat at the bar or table and were greeted at The Driftwood Inn, then Johnny Allman's, and finally Allman's Restaurant, and were served a small plate of "Snappy Beer Cheese" served with carrots, radishes, celery, and crackers. The server would take their drink order. The sharp cheddar cheese with a cayenne finish created thirst. So, by the time the drinks came, the patrons typically ordered a pitcher of what they were drinking. Drinks have the highest profit margin for restaurants, much like today.

After Johnny Allman's restaurant burned down for the third time, it was never rebuilt. By then, a restaurant across the road that faces the Kentucky River, called Hall's on the River which sits on Howard's Creek, made their version of beer cheese. The building where Hall's is located was originally built by Johnny Allman, but because of the boat dock associated with Allman's first restaurant, after the second Allman's restaurant was rebuilt, Johnny moved back to the Kentucky River side of the road. Hall's continued the tradition for a while. In the 1980s, the Hall family sold their recipe and the rights to their name to J. Peterman. He, in turn, sold the recipe and all rights to a company in Louisville, Kentucky. That company put Hall's on the River Beer Cheese on the retail market but used a completely different recipe under the label; for 25 years, it was sold throughout Kentucky in Kroger. That Louisville company went out of business in December 2011.

People who knew what Real Beer Cheese tasted like knew this was not Hall's original recipe. Those who had worked at Allman's and Hall's had been around the beer cheese-making process, and as a result, several companies around the Central Kentucky Area started making beer cheese and still distribute their versions of Beer Cheese.

The original Allman's "Snappy" beer cheese recipes' heritage was preserved and protected through our family starting in 1979 after Johnny Allman's resturant burned for the third time in 1978. We have kept it alive since the day we received the recipe. The Authentic "Snappy" Beer Cheese is now under the name Howard's Creek Authentic Beer Cheese and endorsed by Tim Allman, Joe Allmans son.

Since its come back in 2006, Howard's Creek has remained a winner of awards throughout Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio.

Allman's Restaurant, circa 1978, was located on the Kentucky River at the confluence of Howard's Creek with its' own boatdock and faced Boonesboro Road. 

 

There is a difference in many of the beer cheeses on the market today.

Variations can consist of processed and cream cheese mixed with various ingredients, including onion, Worcestershire sauce, mustard powder, and anchovies, some people cook their beer cheese recipe, all of which is not in the Authentic "Snappy Cheese."

Howard's Creek Authentic Beer Cheese consists of REAL Seal Dairy-approved ingredients, beer, spices, and garlic. It does not have a strong beer influence. Its creamy, spicy taste peaks in heat and flavor after a day or two and has only ONE heat. It's not too mild; it's not too hot; it's just right. We make beer cheese in small batches on purpose. It's an Artisan cheese, Kentucky Proud, Certified by the REAL Seal Dairy Association, and lab-tested R5< 5 ppm Gluten-Free.

In January 2020, we made a BOLD flavor, which is a sharper cheddar cheese. The spice blend is the same, but because it is a sharper cheddar, the spice is more forward on the palate so the heat doesn't land in one area making a sharper cheddar, spice-balanced taste. In February 2024, by request, we brought out our Smoked Beer Cheese! And in August 2024, we created Chocolate Beer Cheese!

We offer our products online and through many retailers and restaurants in the Bluegrass State and several other states (and growing). Shop online 52 weeks a year throughout the USA.