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Gloucester cheese and ale

Two slices of toasted bread with cheese, mustard and ale topping. Small pot of grain mustard. Glass of ale. Wicker surface. For Gloucester cheese and ale recipe.

This is a version of a rarebit (or rabbit), common throughout England and Wales, and often served after the meat course in posting houses and inns during the eighteenth century.  The use of Gloucester cheese and local ale makes this recipe unique to Gloucestershire.  The recipe is based on that of Jane Grigson in English Food.

Equipment

  • Ovenproof dish
  • Sieve
  • Bowl
  • Small saucepan

Preparation method

  • Preheat the oven to 170C/325F/gas 3.
  • Grease the ovenproof dish with butter and lay the slices of cheese in it.
  • Spread the top of the cheese slices with the mustard and pour over the ale.
  • Place in the preheated oven and bake until the cheese is melted.
  • Strain the cheese mixture over a bowl and reserve the liquid.
  • Spread the cheese over toasted bread and place under a hot grill until the cheese starts to bubble and brown.
  • Heat the strained liquid in the saucepan until warm and pour over the toast to slightly moisten it.

More cheese recipes
Homity pie
Wilfra apple tarts

Georgian

Serves:
2
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • Butter for greasing
  • 300 g Double Gloucester cheese preferably from a cheese shop rather than a supermarket
  • 2 tbsp grain mustard
  • 100 ml ale
  • 2 slices granary bread, toasted

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Gloucester cheese and ale
Serving Size
 
246 g
Amount per Serving
Calories
738
Percent of Daily Value*
Fat
 
52
g
80
%
Saturated Fat
 
29
g
181
%
Cholesterol
 
149
mg
50
%
Sodium
 
1241
mg
54
%
Potassium
 
208
mg
6
%
Carbohydrates
 
27
g
9
%
Fiber
 
3
g
13
%
Sugar
 
7.1
g
8
%
Protein
 
40
g
80
%
Calcium
 
1107
mg
111
%
Iron
 
1.2
mg
7
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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Keywords

ale, Double Gloucester cheese, Grain mustard

© Dr Caroline Gordon 
2026
Illustrations by Chichi Parish
Site by Anselm Eustace