Foryoueats: Beer Cheese Soup with Soft Pretzels

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• half an onion, minced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3–4 stalks of celery, minced
• 1 jalapeno, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, minced
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (adds a bacon-like flavor)
• 1 bottle of beer (I used Blue Moon – just a basic wheat beer)
• 2 cups of chicken or vegetable broth
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 4 tablespoons flour
• 1 cup whole milk (high fat milk is better)
• 8 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded
• 4 ounces smoked cheddar cheese, shredded
• salt and pepper to taste