What’s the best beer for beer bread? In my opinion, it’s one with low hops and a touch of sweetness. This easy beer bread recipe comes together in under 10 minutes and yields a perfect result every time, with a buttery crust and a tender, fluffy interior.
If you don’t love to bake, this recipe is perfect for you. With no kneading required, you can have this in the oven in the time it takes to preheat. It’s truly foolproof and one of the best quick bread recipes to have on hand for those times when you’re craving fresh, warm, homemade bread with minimal effort.
My favorite time of the year to make this is fall, when I’m craving comfort food. Homemade bread is perfect for your weekly meal prep. Enjoy ot with my easy beef goulash or 2-ingredient crockpot shredded beef.
Beer bread is the perfect recipe for those who don’t love baking. With one bowl and just a few ingredients, you can have a warm, delicious loaf of homemade bread on the table in about an hour and a half (and most of that time is baking + cooling time). However, the beer you choose matters. The best beer for beer bread is any variety that is low in IBUs, which we’ll discuss more below.
As someone who doesn’t enjoy baking, I was genuinely shocked by how easy and delicious it was the first time I made it. The beer gives the bread a yeasty, malty flavor, and a touch of sweetness rounds out the flavors. It’s also versatile. Add cheddar for a cheesy beer bread, honey for added sweetness, or try a different beer.
Easy Beer Bread + The Best Beer To use
When choosing the best beer for beer bread, technically, any beer can be used. However, a beer with a high IBU can be bitter, while one that is too light may lack flavor. Here are some of my favorites.
- Dos Perros has an IBU score of just 11%. It’s a rich and malty beer with a subtle sweetness.
- Killian’s Irish Red has an IBU score of 14. It has a smooth finish and toasty malt flavor.
- Newcastle Brown Ale has an IBU of just 4.7%. It’s an English brown ale with a nutty aroma and taste.
In the fall, I enjoy trying out seasonal beers. Schlafly Pumpkin Ale has an IBU score of 16 and notes of caramel, ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg. It makes an absolutely delicious beer bread that tastes like fall!
What Does IBU Mean In Beer?
- IBU stands for International Bitterness Units. The lower the number, the less bitter the beer. Something like a hoppy IPA, which is very high on the IBU scale, will yield a bitter-tasting bread. For the best-tasting beer bread, I recommend using a beer with an IBU of 20 or less.
Main Ingredients
The ingredients in beer bread are simple, and you probably have most of them on hand.
- I use all-purpose flour, but we’ll discuss some alternative options below.
- Baking powder helps the bread rise, while sea salt enhances its flavor.
- Sugar adds a subtle sweetness, and salted butter for an irresistible buttery top.
- Beer – I typically use a low IBU beer with caramel and malty notes, but any beer will technically work.
Cook’s note: If you follow a gluten-free diet, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour. However, the only one I’ve tried this recipe with is King Arthur, Measure for Measure Certified Gluten-Free Flour. You can also use self-rising flour. If you do, you’ll want to omit the baking powder and salt from the recipe.
Step-By-Step Instructions
You can literally have this prepped before the oven is preheated. The hardest part is waiting for it to bake and cool off!
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a loaf pan by spraying it with nonstick spray.
- Sift the flour into a mixing bowl. Add the baking powder, sugar**, and salt.
- Slowly pour in the beer, and whisk until just combined. Don’t overmix.
- Spoon the batter into the prepared pan, and drizzle the melted butter over the top.
- Bake for approximately one hour. See notes below.
- Allow the loaf to rest for at least 30 minutes before slicing.
The sugar in this recipe is optional, but I love the sweetness it adds. The recipe works just fine without it.
Cook’s note: To check for doneness, insert a toothpick or knife into the center of the bread. When it comes out clean, it’s done. However, the most foolproof way to check if the bread is done is to use an instant-read thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the center of the bread, ensuring it does not touch the bottom of the pan. When the temperature reads 190°F, the bread is perfectly cooked. Always let it rest before slicing.
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Serving Suggestions + Tips
- My favorite way to eat it is warmed up and slathered with salted butter.
- Serve with soup, stew, and chili, or cube it up and make beer bread croutons.
- Slice it up and make the most amazing grilled cheese sandwich ever!
- If you don’t have sugar, you can replace it with 1/4 cup of honey or omit it altogether.
- For cheesy beer bread, add one cup of shredded cheese to the dry mix before adding the beer.
- Stir in any fresh herbs you’d like into the batter. My favorites are rosemary and chives!
- For garlicky beer bread, fresh garlic, roasted garlic, and garlic powder all work well here.
- Resist the urge to slice into the bread immediately and allow it to rest for at least 20 minutes.
- Sifting the flour is crucial for a lighter, fluffier loaf of bread.
- Adding butter to the bread before baking results in a buttery, crunchy top, as shown in the photos. If you want a softer top, add the butter only in the last 15 minutes of cooking.
If you try this recipe, I'd love to hear about it! Comment below or tag me on Instagram. Be sure to sign up for my email list so you don’t miss any new updates. Thanks so much for being here, friends! Check out our vegetarian, dairy-free, gluten-free, and low-carb recipes if you have food sensitivities! |
Best Beer for Beer Bread + Easy 5-Ingredient Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 2 tablespoons sugar, optional
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 12-ounce can beer
- 1/4 cup melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F
- Lightly grease a 9x5" loaf pan with butter or non-stick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt.
- Pour in the beer and stir until just combined. Don’t overmix.
- Spoon the batter into a loaf pan and gently smooth the top.
- Drizzle the melted butter over the top.
- Bake for approximately 45-50 minutes or until the top is a deep, golden brown and a knife inserted into the middle comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Remove the bread from the oven and let it rest for 30 minutes before slicing.
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