Ingredients:

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
     1/4  cup           butter
     1/2  cup           minced onion
     1/3  cup           grated carrots
     1/4                flour
     1/2  teaspoon      dry mustard
     1/2  teaspoon      paprika
     1/2  pound         grated cheddar cheese -- (2 cups)
   3      cans          chicken broth -- (10 3/4 oz.)
   1 1/4  cups          half and half
   1      can           ale or beer -- (12 oz.)

Preparation:

Melt butter in large heavy saucepan. Add onion and carrot, cover and cook over low heat about 5 minutes. Blend in four, mustard, and paprika. Stir in cheese and 1 can broth until cheese is melted. Add remaining ingredients; simmer 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Garnish bowls of soup with popcorn, minced chives, chopped parsley, or crumbled bacon.