What’s the best beer for beer bread? In my opinion, it’s one with low hops and a touch of sweetness. Any beer can be used, but there are pros and cons. For example, a beer with a high IBU can be bitter, while one that is too light may lack flavor. In this post, we’ll discuss the best beer to use and why. I’m also sharing my quick and easy 5-ingredient beer bread recipe!
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 bread on the table in about an hour, and most of that time is baking time. Getting it into the oven is quick and easy! However, the beer you choose matters. The best beer for beer bread is any variety that is low in IBUs.
What Does IBUs Mean In Beer?
- IBU stands for International Bitterness Units. The lower the number, the less bitter the beer. There’s a lot more to this, but for the purposes of this post, it’s worth noting that 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, use a beer with an IBU of 20 or less. Most people advise choosing what you like when selecting a beer. I don’t agree. The flavor of the beer will be even more pronounced in your bread.
Best Beer For Beer Bread
When choosing the best beer for beer bread, stick with the parameters above, but also select a beer you enjoy. 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/multi-aroma and taste.
In the fall, I enjoy trying out some 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!
Easy Beer Bread Recipe
- Not only is this recipe super quick and easy, it uses ingredients that most of us already have on hand. Flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, and butter are our kitchen staples. The only thing you’ll likely need to buy is the beer!
- The first time I made this, I was truly shocked by how delicious it was. The beer gives the bread a yeasty, malty flavor that is absolutely delicious. A touch of sweetness rounds out the flavors, but you can omit the additional sugar if that’s not your preference.
- My favorite time of the year to make this is the fall. If bread can feel cozy, this recipe is it. It’s warm, savory, buttery, comfort food. I crave this bread once the weather starts cooling down!
- Homemade bread is perfect for your weekly meal or food prep. Make a loaf for two at the start of the week and enjoy it throughout the week!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients in beer bread are simple, but you have a few options depending on your dietary needs, which I’ll discuss below.
- I use all-purpose flour, but we’ll discuss some alternative options below.
- Baking powder helps the bread rise.
- Sea salt to enhance the flavors.
- Sugar balances out the savory flavors, adding a subtle sweetness to the bread.
- Salted butter gives the bread an irresistible buttery, salty crust.
- Beer – I typically use a low IBU beer with caramel and malty notes, but any beer will technically work.
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.
How To Make Beer Bread
Five ingredients are all you need for this quick and easy beer bread recipe. I provide ingredient substitutions below.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Prepare your loaf pan by spraying it with nonstick cooking spray.
- Sift the flour into a mixing bowl.
- Add the baking powder, sugar**, and salt.
- Slowly pour in the beer.
- Whisk until just combined. Don’t overmix.
- Spoon the batter into the prepared pan.
- 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. I love the sweetness it adds, but the recipe works just fine without it.
Pro tip: 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 to see 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.
Serving Suggestions
- My favorite way to eat it is warmed up and slathered with salted butter.
- Serve with soup, stew, and chili.
- Cube it up and make beer bread croutons.
- Slice it up and make the most amazing grilled cheese sandwich ever!
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Variations +Helpful Tips
- 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.
- Try not to compact and/or overmeasure the flour. It can result in a dry, hard loaf.
- Sifting the flour is crucial for a lighter, fluffier loaf of bread.
- Adding butter to the bread before baking results in a hardy, crunchy top, as shown in the photos. If you want a softer top, add the butter only in the last 15 minutes of cooking.
Check out our vegetarian, dairy-free, gluten-free, and low-carb recipes if you have food sensitivities! |
Serve This With
- Cherry Tomato Pasta Salad For Summer
- Smoky Cheese Dip With Shredded Beef
- High Protein Dill Pickle Egg Salad Recipe
- Salsa Verde Chicken Salad Recipe
- Kimchi Mayonnaise | Simple 10-Minute Recipe
If you try this recipe, I'd love to know! Comment below or tag me on Instagram. Be sure to sign up for my email list so you don’t miss out on anything new. Thanks so much for being here, friends! |
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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.
Notes
- Try not to compact and/or overmeasure the flour. It can result in a dry, hard loaf.
- Sifting the flour is crucial for a lighter, fluffy loaf of bread.
- Adding butter to the bread before baking results in a hardy, crunchy top. If you want a softer top, add the butter only in the last 15 minutes of cooking.
Nutrition
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