Beer bread is a quick and easy bread that is made by combining self-rising flour, beer, sugar, and butter. The carbonation from the beer acts as the leavening agent to help the bread rise. Using beer in bread adds lightness, moisture, and delicious flavor. But what kind of beer makes the best beer bread?
The role of beer in beer bread
Beer is the star ingredient in beer bread recipes. The alcohol cooks off during baking, but the carbonation and flavor remains. The carbonation from the beer gives beer bread its rise without requiring yeast. The beer also lends moisture, texture, and flavor to the bread.
Nearly any style of beer can be used to make beer bread. But some characteristics make certain beers ideal choices.
Carbonation level
Highly carbonated beers have more bubbles that will make the bread rise higher. Beers like pale ales, India pale ales (IPAs), and wheat beers tend to have higher carbonation. Flat beers like stouts may not cause the bread to rise as much.
Hoppy vs malty
Hoppy beers like IPAs will impart more bitter, floral flavors. Malty beers like brown ales, porters, and stouts will give the bread sweet, roasted notes.
Light vs dark
The type of malt used impacts the color and flavor. Lighter beers like lagers, blonde ales, and hefeweizens will make a lighter colored bread. Darker beers like amber ales, porters, and stouts will create a bread with a darker crust.
Alcohol content
During baking, the alcohol content gets cooked off. Higher alcohol beers may impart more flavor, but a light or non-alcoholic beer will also work.
Best beer styles for beer bread
Nearly any beer can be used, but some styles make especially delicious beer bread. Here are some top options:
Wheat beer
Wheat beers like hefeweizen, witbier, and Belgian white ale are excellent choices. The high carbonation helps the bread rise well. The wheat flavor provides a mild sweetness and body to the bread.
Pale ale
Pale ales, like Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, have an optimal balance of maltiness and hoppy bitterness. The medium body and carbonation gives great rise and texture.
IPA
India pale ales have bold hoppy bitterness that gives the bread a bright, floral flavor. The high carbonation also lends a nice rise. Just keep in mind a very hoppy IPA can lend quite a bitter flavor.
Blonde ale
Blonde ales and golden ales have a light malty sweetness and medium body that makes for moist, well-risen bread. The light color also gives a nice golden crust.
Hefeweizen
German-style hefeweizens contain yeast that provides a distinct banana and clove flavor. The wheat gives great texture and rise. Just be sure to pour the beer carefully to avoid dumping yeast into the bread.
Brown ale
Nutty, caramelly brown ales add delicious malty sweetness and aromas to beer bread. Their medium body and carbonation also work well.
Porter
Robust porters have a light roastiness reminiscent of whole wheat bread. They add deep, malty flavors and aromas to beer bread.
Stout
Dry Irish stouts like Guinness impart coffee-like roastiness and aromas. The dark color also gives the crust a lovely brown hue. Just keep in mind the lower carbonation may mean less rise.
Belgian ale
Fruity, spicy Belgian ales like saison and abbey ale impart delicious complex flavors. Their effervescence also provides ample rising power.
Beers to avoid for beer bread
While most beers will work well, there are a few styles that may not be ideal choices:
Light lager
Mass-produced light lagers like Bud Light have very mild flavor that gets lost during baking. There are better options that will contribute more taste.
Non-alcoholic beer
N/A beer won’t hurt the bread, but the flavor may be milder. Check the carbonation level. Highly carbonated varieties can still make good beer bread.
Sour beer
The tart, acidic flavors of beers like Berliner weisse and gose clash with the bread flavors. Stick to non-sour options.
High alcohol beer
While barleywines and strong ales can technically be used, their boozy intensity may overpower the bread or create an unpleasantly alcoholic flavor.
Smoked beer
Smoked beers like rauchbier have an intense smoky flavor that can overwhelm. Subtle smoked porters are a better option if you want smoky.
Fruit beer
The fruit flavors in beers like cherry wheat often taste artificial. Real citrus zest or dried fruit make better additions.
Tips for making beer bread with the best beer
Follow these tips to choose and use beer to make the tastiest beer bread possible:
- Pick a highly carbonated beer for maximum rise.
- Go for a malty, caramelly beer for sweetness or a hoppy beer for bitterness.
- Select flavors that will complement any additional ingredients like herbs or cheese.
- Pour the beer gently into the batter to avoid overflow foaming.
- Use room temperature or slightly warm beer to help the dough come together.
- Stick to pilsners, pale ales, wheat beers, IPAs, or brown ales for foolproof results.
- Don’t use more than 12 oz of beer so the flavor doesn’t overwhelm.
- Substitute non-alcoholic beer 1:1 if needed.
- Consider splashing in some vinegar for extra rise if using a low carbonation beer.
Beer bread recipes
The basic beer bread recipe combines self-rising flour, sugar, butter, and beer. Feel free to experiment with additions like herbs, spices, cheese, or citrus zest. Here are some tasty beer bread recipes to try:
Easy beer bread
This simple recipe allows the beer flavor to really shine through.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups self-rising flour
- 3 tablespoons white sugar
- 12 oz beer, any variety (pale ale recommended)
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a loaf pan.
- Mix flour and sugar in a bowl. Pour in beer and stir until a shaggy dough forms. Do not overmix.
- Pour dough into prepared loaf pan. Drizzle melted butter on top.
- Bake for 45-55 minutes until deep golden brown. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean.
- Cool bread in pan 5 minutes, then remove and finish cooling on a wire rack.
Jalapeño cheddar beer bread
Spicy jalapeños and sharp cheddar cheese enhance this savory beer bread.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups self-rising flour
- 2 tablespoons white sugar
- 1 cup shredded extra sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced
- 12 oz pale ale or wheat beer
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a loaf pan.
- In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, cheese, and jalapeños.
- Pour in beer and stir until a shaggy dough forms. Do not overmix.
- Pour batter into prepared loaf pan. Drizzle melted butter on top.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes until deep golden brown. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean.
- Cool bread in pan 5 minutes, then remove and finish cooling on a wire rack.
Lemon blueberry beer bread
Bursting with fresh fruit flavor, this is a delightfully sweet and tangy quick bread.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups self-rising flour
- 3 tablespoons white sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
- 12 oz wheat beer or blonde ale
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a loaf pan.
- In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, and lemon zest.
- Gently fold in blueberries, taking care not to crush them.
- Pour in beer and stir until a shaggy dough forms. Do not overmix.
- Pour batter into prepared loaf pan. Drizzle melted butter on top.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes until golden brown. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean.
- Cool bread in pan 5 minutes, then remove and finish cooling on a wire rack.
FAQs
Can I use light beer?
Yes, you can use light beer to make beer bread. Light beers like Bud Light have milder flavor, but can still lend moisture, carbonation, and a touch of maltiness. Opt for a more flavorful light beer like a blonde ale or pilsner if you want a little more taste.
What about non-alcoholic beer?
Non-alcoholic beer works fine as well. Just check the label for the level of carbonation, as some N/A beers maintain bubbles better than others. Well-carbonated varieties will still help the bread rise.
Do I have to use self-rising flour?
Self-rising flour contains leavening that helps the bread rise. You can substitute all-purpose flour combined with baking powder. Use 2 cups all-purpose flour plus 2 teaspoons baking powder.
Can I substitute apple cider or soda?
While you can experiment with apple cider or other carbonated beverages, beer has a unique flavor profile that’s difficult to replicate. We recommend using beer for best flavor and texture.
What kind of pan should I use?
A standard loaf pan works great for beer bread recipes. You can also use individual mini loaf pans for smaller portioned breads.
The verdict
When it comes to beer bread, almost any style of beer can be used. But pale ales, wheat beers, IPAs, brown ales, and blonde ales tend to make the tastiest results. Their carbonation, body, maltiness, and hoppiness create delicious flavor and rise. Just avoid very bitter, sour, or fruity beers. With the right beer, you can easily whip up moist, tender beer bread bursting with flavor.