When it comes to making sweet beer bread, the type of beer you use can make all the difference. The right beer will impart subtle flavors that complement the sweetness of the bread, while also helping the bread rise high and light. So what is the best beer to use for sweet beer bread?
Light Beers Work Best
For sweet beer bread, you’ll want to avoid dark, heavy beers like stouts and porters. The robust, bitter notes of these beers would clash with the sweet flavor of the bread. Instead, opt for a light-colored beer like a lager, blonde ale, or wheat beer. The mild, crisp taste of these lighter beers won’t overpower the sweetness.
Choose a Malty Lager
Malted barley gives beer its characteristic malty flavor. When used in bread, this malty flavor comes through and complements notes of honey or brown sugar. Some good malty lager options include:
- Dos Equis
- Stella Artois
- Heineken
- Corona
Try a Fruity Wheat Beer
Wheat beers often have fruity esters that lend flavors like banana, citrus, or stone fruit. These fruit flavors pair wonderfully with sweet breads. Excellent wheat beer choices include:
- Hoegaarden
- Blue Moon
- Shock Top
- Leinenkugel’s Sunset Wheat
Go for a Crisp Pilsner
Pilsners are light, crisp and refreshing—perfect for sweet bread. The Saaz hops used in pilsners impart earthy, herbal notes that won’t overwhelm the sweetness. Try these pilsners:
- Pilsner Urquell
- Miller High Life
- St. Pauli Girl
- Modelo Especial
Avoid Strongly Flavored Beers
While light, malty lagers, fruity wheats and crisp pilsners make good additions to sweet bread, avoid beers with intense flavors like:
- IPAs – Too bitter and hoppy
- Stouts – Overly roasted and heavy
- Sours – Too tart and acidic
- Belgians – Spicy phenols can clash with sweetness
The bold flavors of these beers will not complement the intended sweetness of the bread. They can make the bread taste muddled or unbalanced.
Use the Right Amount of Beer
When baking with beer, don’t just substitute it 1:1 for other liquids in a bread recipe. The carbonation and alcohol content means some adjustments are needed:
- Only use 1/2 to 2/3 cup beer per loaf of bread. More can inhibit rising.
- Let the beer go flat before using to allow gases to dissipate.
- Cut back slightly on yeast, since alcohol can impair it.
- Add a little extra sugar or honey to account for fermented sugars.
This ensures the beer flavors come through without interfering with the bread’s rise.
Sample Recipe: Sweet Beer Bread
This simple 4-ingredient sweet beer bread lets the beer flavor shine through loud and clear!
Ingredients
- 3 cups self-rising flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 (12-ounce) bottle or can of beer, allowed to go flat
- 3 tablespoons honey or molasses (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan.
- In a large bowl, stir together the flour and sugar.
- Open the beer and allow it to sit for 15 minutes so the carbonation can dissipate.
- Pour the flat beer into the flour mixture and stir just until combined. Add the honey/molasses if desired.
- Pour the shaggy dough into the prepared loaf pan.
- Bake for 45-60 minutes until deep golden brown. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center. It should come out clean when the bread is done.
- Remove from oven and let cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
The simple ingredients allow the malty, fruity flavors of the beer to really shine through. Feel free to substitute different styles of lighter beer to change up the flavors.
More Sweet Beer Bread Tips
Take your sweet beer bread to the next level with these tips:
- Top it off: For an extra sweet kick, brush the warm bread with melted butter or honey as soon as it comes out of the oven.
- Get creative with flavors: Mix in spices like cinnamon, nutmeg or cardamom or citrus zest for extra flavor dimensions.
- Head the hops: For a contrasting bitterness, sprinkle the top of the loaf with hop pellets before baking.
- Substitute the sugars: Instead of sugar, try maple syrup, agave, or mashed bananas for varying sweetness.
- Swap the grains: For added nutrients, try using whole wheat or rye flour instead of plain white flour.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of beer work best for sweet beer bread?
Lighter beers work best like lagers, pilsners, blonde ales and wheat beers. Avoid very hoppy or roasty beers like IPAs and stouts which can clash with the sweetness.
How much beer should I use?
Only use 1/2 to 2/3 cup of beer per loaf of bread. More than that can inhibit the bread’s ability to rise properly. Let the beer flatten before baking.
Can I use a beer I don’t like drinking?
You can, but keep in mind the flavor will come through in the bread. It’s best to use a beer you enjoy drinking on its own.
What’s the best beer for sweet pretzel bread?
For sweet pretzel bread, go for a malty Oktoberfest style beer. The hearty maltiness stands up well to the distinctive pretzel flavor.
Can I make beer bread without yeast?
Yes, the carbonation and alcohol help the bread rise so you can skip the yeast. Opt for self-rising flour which already contains leavening agents.
What’s the difference between beer bread and soda bread?
While both are quick breads leavened by carbonation, soda bread uses buttermilk or other acidic ingredient while beer bread uses beer to get the rise.
The Best Beer for Sweet Beer Bread
When it comes to sweet beer bread, go for a light, malty lager, fruity wheat beer or crisp pilsner. The mild flavors allow the sweetener’s flavors to shine through. Just avoid big, bitter beers that can clash with the intended sweetness. With the right beer choice, your sweet beer bread will be delightfully moist and flavorful!