Welsh Rarebit Bites

1. 1Combine butter and flour in a medium saucepan and cook over medium heat until toasted and fragrant, about 3 minutes. Add cheese, beer, Worcestershire, mustard, and paprika and cook, stirring constantly, until cheese is melted and smooth, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat. (If you’re making the cheese sauce ahead of time, transfer the mixture to a heatproof container and let it cool to room temperature. Refrigerate in a covered container for up to 4 days.)
2. 2When ready to finish, heat the broiler to high and arrange a rack in the lower third of the oven. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil, arrange the toasted baguette slices on the baking sheet, and spread 2 teaspoons of the cheese mixture on each slice.
3. 3Place under the broiler and cook, watching carefully, until the cheese mixture is bubbling and browned, about 1 to 2 minutes. Serve immediately.

Beverage pairing: Brasserie Dupont Foret Organic Saison Ale, Belgium. A dry white wine would be nice with these bites, but they’re perfect for a beer since there’s beer in the sauce. This organic Belgian ale is alive with the complex flavors of a flowering summer meadow, and its combination of brightness and richness makes it a lusty companion for the rarebit.