Hop Drop Ale Onion - Cheese Toastie

We all know beer is great for drinking, but did you know it’s just as good for cooking? And no, we’re not talking about ale ice lollies, those didn’t exactly fly off the shelves…

Here at Stroud Brewery, our chefs have been using our organic beers in the kitchen for years, adding depth and richness to their dishes. It makes for such tasty food, we thought it was only fair to share some of our secrets with you, starting with a Hop Drop Ale Onion Cheese Toastie. Crispy, gooey, sweet and tangy, this recipe is packed with flavour. The ultimate comfort food; enjoy this sandwich alone, self-love style, or share with someone special.

We prefer using local and organic produce for our recipes (when possible). This is optional, but using better quality produce, supporting your local economy and helping build towards a greener future, guarantees a more delicious dish. 

The local suppliers we used for this toasty are: sourdough from The Artisan Baker, cheese and butter from Godsells.  

Ingredients (serves 2)

🍞 4 slices sourdough or thick-cut bread
🧈 2 tbsp butter (softened)
🧀 150g local mature cheddar (grated)
🧀 50g Gruyère or Red Leicester
🧅 Hop Drop Ale Onions (see below)
🥄 1 tsp wholegrain mustard (optional, but delicious)

For the Hop Drop Ale Onions

• 2 large onions (thinly sliced)
• 220ml Stroud Brewery Hop Drop
• 220ml+ Stroud Brewery Hop Drop for drinking
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• Pinch of salt
  
  

Method:

For the Hop Drop Ale Onions

1. Melt butter in a pan over medium heat, add the onions and a pinch of salt. Cook slowly for 10–15 minutes until soft and golden.
2. Stir in the sugar, balsamic vinegar, and Hop Drop. Let it simmer until the liquid reduces and the onions become sticky and rich (about 10 minutes). Set aside.
   
   

For the Toastie

1. Butter one side of each bread slice. Place two slices butter-side down on a board.
2. Spread a little mustard on the unbuttered side, then pile on the cheese and a generous helping of Hop Drop Ale Onions.
3. Top with the other slices of bread, butter-side up.
4. Heat a frying pan over medium-low heat. Cook each toasty for 3–4 minutes per side, pressing gently with a spatula, until golden brown and the cheese is oozing.
5. Slice in half and enjoy with a cold pint of Hop Drop.
   
   

DISCLAIMER

THIS RECIPE IS MEANT FOR YOUR ENJOYMENT AT HOME - THIS CHEESE TOASTIE IS NOT AVAILABLE AT STROUD BREWERY TAPROOM.