DisneyWorld Cheddar cheese soup

This is a recipe out of our Disneyworld cookbook. We ate this soup at an international dinner at Epcot just before watching the fireworks over the lake. There were sooooo many good foods there, but this soup stood out as everyone's absolute favorite. It's not for the calorie conscious, but in small portions with crusty bread and salad, it's fabulous.

Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup
1/2 Lb bacon, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1 Medium red onion
3 celery ribs, cut into 1/4 inch pieces
4 tbsp butter
1 Cup all-purpose flour
2 Cups chicken stock
4 Cups milk
3/4 Lb grated white cheddar cheese (we use Tillamook vintage white)
1 tbsp Tabasco sauce
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
salt, and freshly ground pepper, to taste
1/2 Cup warm beer
chopped scallions or chives, for garnish

1. In a 4 or 5 quart dutch oven or stock pot, cook the bacon, stirring over medium heat about 5 minutes or until lightly browned.
2. Add the red onion, celery, and butter, and saute until the onion has softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the flour and cook, stirring constantly, for about 4 minutes over medium heat. Whisk in chicken stock and bring to a boil for 1 minute. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Add the milk and continue to simmer for 15 minutes. Do not boil after you add the milk.
5. Remove from the heat and stir in the cheese, Tabasco sauce, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper until the cheese is melted and the soup is smooth. Stir in warm beer. If the soup is too thick, add some warm milk.
6. Serve the soup hot, garnished with the chopped scallions or chives.

They suggest drinking a double-fermented, dark, Canadian beer with this soup because its robust flavor compliments the smooth, earthy flavor of the soup.

I hope you enjoy it as much as our family has!!