Irish Cheddar Fondue with Stout and Whiskey

Ingredients

• 4 cups shredded Irish cheddar cheese
• 1 1/2 tablespoons corntarch
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 2 medium cloves garlic, finely minced
• 12 ounces Irish stout beer, like Guiness
• 2 tablespoons Irish whiskey
• 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground mustard powder

Directions

1. In a large bowl, coat the shredded cheese with the cornstarch, then keep it nearby. In a large saucepan or saucier set over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the garlic and let it cook until it smells fragrant and the edges are only starting to color, about 1 minute. Add the stout and whiskey, then mix in the salt and mustard powder. As soon as the mixture reaches a simmer, turn the heat down to medium low.
2. Whisk 1 handful of the cheese and cornstarch mixture into the pot, and keep whisking until that cheese has fully melted. Work in the remaining cheese mixture by handfuls, stirring each one smooth before you add more; the whole process will take 2 to 3 minutes. Once every bit of cheese is melted, keep cooking and stirring until the fondue thickens and leaves a coating on a spoon, another 1 to 2 minutes. Bring it to the table right away in a bowl, with cubed bread, sliced apples, or leftover corned beef for dipping.