Beer Soup (Biersuppe) with Ham & Cheese Gougères

Ingredients

• 30 g butter
• 4 shallots (peeled and chopped)
• 120 g breadcrumbs
• 500 ml good-quality beer (such as lager or wheat beer)
• 750 ml chicken stock
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 3 tbsp crème fraiche
• Freshly grated nutmeg
• Sea salt
• White pepper
• 250 ml water
• 85 g butter
• 130 g plain flour
• 4 large eggs (at room temperature)
• 150 g gruyere cheese (grated)
• 150 g ham (cut into approx. 5-7mm dice)
• Freshly ground black pepper