Cheddar Beer Soup

Ingredients

• 4 bacon slices
• 2 celery ribs
• 2 teaspoons garlic
• 1 Turkish or 1/2 California bay leaf
• ¼ cup unsalted butter
• 1 ¾ cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 1 12-oz bottle ale such as Bass
• + 9 more ingredients
• • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dry mustard
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 pound extra-sharp Cheddar (preferably English), grated
  • 2 medium leeks
  • 2 medium carrots
  • ¹/₃ cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups whole milk

Wash leeks in a bowl of cold water, agitating water, then lift out leeks and drain in a colander. Cook leeks, carrots, celery, garlic, and bay leaf in butter in a 4-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until vegetables begin to soften, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to mo...

View full recipe at Epicurious