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Beer Bread

Recipe Level: Easy

This no yeast, super simple beer bread will no doubt become your favourite bread to go along side your winter meals! It's full of flavour, crisp on the outside and chewy and soft on the inside. I used Guinness beer which gave a dark rich molasses flavour. I highly recommend using a stout for a richer flavour moving into the cooler winter days.

Baked by Alie Romano

Professional Baker and Recipe Developer

* For best results, read the entire article. Every step matters, and I’ll provide helpful tips along the way!

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Simple Beer Bread Recipe - No Yeast

Hands down this is probably the easiest bread you will ever make! It’s buttery and comforting and pairs perfectly with hearty stews and soups, adding warmth and flavour to every bite. When it’s fresh, and hot out of the oven the bread has a crispy outer shell from the melted butter and a soft and spongy crumb on the inside.

You can use any beer you like! But each beer will vastly change the flavour and the colouring. I suggest starting with a Guinness and from there you can try different beers. Perhaps in the summer, you could use a nice pale ale or in the fall try a flavoured apricot beer. You’ll be surprised at just how different each type of beer gives new flavours and notes to the bread. See the list of beer variations below!

If you are nervous about making homemade bread, then this is the recipe for you! There is no yeast required as the yeast from the beer is naturally occurring (with the aid of some baking powder too).  This means you don’t have to knead the dough or wait for the dough to rise and double in size. We call this type of bread a quick bread.

Simple Beer Bread Recipe - No Yeast
Simple Bread Recipe – No Yeast

Ingredients

And for this simple quick bread, there are only 6 ingredients, one bowl and a few very simple steps! By the way, don’t cut back on the butter (I know some of you will) because it’s what gives the bread a beautifully crunchy crust. I can’t rave about this simple bread enough! You just have to try it and see for yourself!

  • All-purpose flour
  • Granulated sugar
  • Baking powder
  • Salt
  • Guinness Stout Beer
  • Unsalted butter

Beer Variations

Experimenting with various beers can lead to interesting and delicious flavour combinations in your beer bread! Here are a few variations using different types of beer:

  1. Light Beer (Pilsner, Lager): Light beers typically have a crisp and clean flavour profile with subtle hoppy notes. When used in beer bread, light beer may result in a milder flavour compared to using a stout like Guinness. The bread will be lighter in colour and have a more subtle beer taste.
  2. Wheat Beer (Hefeweizen, Witbier): Wheat beers often have fruity and spicy undertones, with hints of citrus and clove. Using wheat beer in the bread can have a slightly sweeter and more complex flavour. The bread may have a hint of citrus or banana notes depending on the specific wheat beer used.
  3. Ale (Pale Ale, Amber Ale): Ales can vary widely in flavour, ranging from malty and caramel-like to hoppy and citrusy. Depending on the type of ale chosen, the bread may have a more pronounced maltiness or hop character. It could also have hints of caramel or toffee flavours from the malt.
  4. Stout or Porter: Dark beers like stouts and porters often have rich, roasty flavours with notes of coffee, chocolate, and caramel. As mentioned in the original recipe, using a stout like Guinness can give the bread a dark, rich molasses flavour. Other stouts or porters may impart similar dark, complex flavours to the bread.
  5. Fruit Beer (Fruit Lambics, Fruit Ales): Fruit beers are brewed with added fruits such as cherry, raspberry, or peach, offering a fruity and sometimes tart flavour profile. Using a fruit beer in the bread can add a unique fruity sweetness and aroma. The choice of fruit beer will determine the specific fruit flavours present in the bread.
Beer Bread

Beer Bread Variations

  1. Cheese and Herb Beer Bread: Add 1 cup of shredded cheese (such as sharp cheddar, mozzarella, or a blend) to the dry ingredients. Mix in 1-2 tablespoons of chopped fresh or dried herbs like rosemary, thyme, or chives for added flavour.
  2. Garlic and Parmesan Beer Bread: Add approx. 1-2 cloves of minced garlic to the dry ingredients for a savoury kick. Mix in 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese to enhance the flavour.
  3. Spicy Jalapeno and Cheddar Beer Bread: Add 1-2 diced jalapenos (seeds removed for less heat) to the batter for a spicy kick. Mix in 1 cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese to complement the jalapeño flavour.
Simple Beer Bread Recipe - No Yeast
Simple Beer Bread Recipe – No Yeast

What is Quick Bread?

Quick bread is just that; quick! Baking powder or baking soda is used as a leavening agent and typically little to no kneading is required. Some examples of quick breads are banana bread, coffee cake, lemon loaf or cornbread.

Tips to Make the Perfect Beer Bread Everytime

  1. Preheat the oven! Make sure your oven is fully preheated before you put the bread in to bake. This will help the bread to rise properly and bake evenly.
  2. Use Room temperature beer. This is important because room temperature beer mixes more easily with dry ingredients, ensuring even distribution and a consistent texture.
  3. Don’t overmix the dough! Once you add the beer to the dry ingredients, mix the ingredients just until the dough comes together. Overmixing can lead to tough, dense bread as it overdevelops the glutens in the flour.
  4. Use a flavourful beer. The flavour of your beer will impact the taste of your bread, so choose a beer with a flavour that you enjoy. Dark beers tend to be more flavorful, but lighter beers can also work well, especially in the summer months.
  5. Let the bread cool before slicing. Allow the bread to cool for at least 10-15 minutes before slicing it.
  6. Store beer bread properly. This bread is best consumed the same day, as the top will have a nice crusty crunch. Once stored the top of the bread will soften. Store it in an airtight container, tin or a plastic bag to keep fresh. Make sure the bread has cooled completely before storing.

How To Make The Best Beer Bread

Step One: Use a good quality strong stout beer. In a large bowl add flour, sugar, baking powder and salt, stir to combine.

Step Two: Pour the stout beer into the flour mixture and mix the ingredients together just until combined. Be very careful not to overmix the batter.

Step Three: Grease a loaf pan with butter and dust with flour. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Then top with slices of butter and bake in the oven.

Simple Beer Bread Recipe - No Yeast
Simple Beer Bread Recipe – No Yeast
Simple Beer Bread Recipe - No Yeast
Simple Beer Bread Recipe – No Yeast

Let me know in the comments what you think! Happy Baking.

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Beer Bread (no yeast)

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 2 reviews

This no yeast, super simple beer bread will no doubt become your favourite bread to go along side your winter meals! It’s full of flavour, crisp on the outside and chewy and soft on the inside. I used Guinness beer which gave a dark rich molasses flavour. I highly recommend using a stout for a richer flavour moving into the cooler winter days.

  • Author: Alie Romano
  • Prep Time: 8 mins
  • Cook Time: 45 mins
  • Total Time: 53 mins
  • Yield: 1 loaf 1x
  • Category: Bread
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 3 cups (384 g) all-purpose flour, sifted
  • 3 Tablespoons sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 12 oz Guinness Stout Beer
  • 1/4 cup (58 g) unsalted butter

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350ËšF. Grease a loaf pan with butter and dust with flour. Set aside.
  2. In a large bowl add sifted flour, sugar, baking powder and salt, stir to combine.
  3. Pour beer into flour mixture and mix ingredients together just until combined (don’t overmix).
  4. Pour batter into prepared pan.
  5. Top loaf with slices of butter.
  6. Bake in the bottom third of the oven for 40-45 minutes.
  7. Let cool on a wire rack for 10-12 minutes before serving.

Notes

Beer bread will last 3-4 days stored in a tin or freeze for up to one month.

To freeze beer bread, cool it, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and seal in a freezer bag or airtight container. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat in the oven at 350˚F for approx. 8 mins. 

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 of 10 Slices
  • Calories: 202
  • Sugar: 3.7g
  • Sodium: 267mg
  • Fat: 5g
  • Saturated Fat: 3g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 0
  • Trans Fat: 0
  • Carbohydrates: 33.3g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 3.9g
  • Cholesterol: 12mg

Did you make this recipe?

Write a review and let me know!

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I can’t wait to see what you’ve made! xo alie

FAQ’s

Can you use any kind of beer to make beer bread?

Yes, you can use almost any kind of beer to make beer bread! However, the type of beer you use will affect the flavour, colour and texture of the bread.

Does beer bread taste like beer?

Beer bread does have a subtle flavour of beer but the taste will vary depending on the type of beer used. Beers that are darker and have a stronger flavour, such as stouts will give the bread a more pronounced beer flavour, while lighter beers will result in a more subtle taste. However, the flavour of beer bread is not overwhelming, people who don’t typically enjoy beer find that they like the taste.

Can you make beer bread with non-alcoholic beer?

Yes, you can make beer bread with non-alcoholic beer. Non-alcoholic beer can still add flavour and moisture to the bread, making it a great alternative for those who prefer not to use alcoholic beer in their recipes.

Keep in mind that the bread may have a slightly different flavour and texture compared to using alcoholic beer. Non-alcoholic beer is typically less bitter and less carbonated than regular beer, so the bread may be less tangy and have a softer texture.

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Wendy S
Wendy S
1 year ago
Rating :
     

What a simple yet spectacular recipe! Quick and easy to make yet showstoppingly delicious. I used Guinness Stout but you don’t have to like beer to love this bread, I don’t, but I will be making it often.






John Spaulding
John Spaulding
10 months ago
Rating :
     

Tried it with Smoked Marzan Beer, was awesome.






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Alie

I'm a professional baker, recipe developer & photographer behind Baking For Friends. I specialize in classic & comforting baking. I hope you enjoy the recipes & find inspiration of your own to bring your family & friends together over home-cooked food!

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