basking in beer bread

Remember my problem with yeast? Well, I did it. Twice! I took beer and flour and mixed them together (with a bit of sugar and salt and some oats, and then some poppy seeds for good luck -- you always need poppy seeds)(but definitely not poopy seeds as I originally typed). I lurked about the beer aisle in my local supermarket for about half an hour searching for the perfect ale, gingerly added it to my basket and then scuttled about feeling very pleased with myself because no one knew! No one knew I was about to take this bottle of beer that I was buying at 9.30 in the morning and making bread with it! Take that, you cynical old fart on the till! I saw you eying my collection of butter, milk and beer and thinking, Oh yes, another youngster diving into an early morning vat of losing the will to live. Well, sod you with a barrel of monkeys.

As it turned out, that beer wound up in one of the best loaves of bread I've ever made. On the slightly sweeter side, with an unexpected hint of fermenting fruit and a delicate maltiness, yet balanced enough to hold its own with a smattering of Marmite. The crumb was soft and textured, yet held up well in sandwiches alike. It'd be far too expensive to turn beer bread into a habit, but as a quick bread for special occasions or last minute guests, it's pretty perfect.

ingredients:

1 c. plain flour
1 c. whole wheat flour
1/2 c. rolled oats
2 tbsp. granulated sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 c. amber ale

options:

2 tsp. poppy seeds/sesame seeds/pumpkin seeds, mixed in or to adorn the top
1/2 c. each dried cranberries and walnuts
1/2 c. (vegan) cheese, plus 2 tsp. dried dill (1 tbsp. fresh)

method:

This is actually so simple I feel a bit silly writing it all down. Right, here goes (but don't say I didn't warn you): preheat oven to 400 F and have a greased 1-pound loaf tin at ready. Mix the dry ingredients together. Stir in the beer until the dry ingredients are completely incorporated. Spoon into the tin. Bake for 35--45 minutes. When it comes out, leave it for about 10 minutes to cool before you even think about removing it from the tin. After that, though, it's all yours.

I've made this with Fursty Ferret and Duchy Original Ale so far. What's intrigued me more than anything is, options aside, how different the bread has turned out depending on what ale has gone in. Fursty Ferret produces a rather banana-y loaf whereas Duchy is much more robust. Even in the texture there are minute differences that nonetheless culminate in completely different loaves. And then once you start playing around with various combinations of extra ingredients, it becomes even more pronounced. Adding a sharp cheddar brought out hoppiness, while dried fruits and nuts seemed to smooth the flavour and enhance the grains. I found an organic honey ale that proclaims to be 'nearly mead' which I reckon just might have to be next on the list.

Comments

[Angela]

Oh my goodness. I'm so going to try this. Maybe tonight...I will need to go buy some beer. I've been making the Tastefully Simple Beer Bread, but those mixes are spendy!

[loutheperson]

The nicest most amazing bread ever! ever! ever! You rock emmmms! Making this asap!

[Robyn]

I'm sorry that I accidentally posted twice. :)

[Robyn]

I am very eager to try this. I thought that since you were in the UK and I'm in the US that I'd have to do recipe math or something, but it's all ready for me!

[Robyn]

I am very eager to try this. I thought that since you were in the UK and I'm in the US that I'd have to do recipe math or something, but it's all ready for me!

[Faith]

Oh my freaking gosh, I have to make this. Tomorrow. When we go out for an afternoon walk we'll have to stop at the store to pick up some beer, because sadly, I'm out. Thankfully I live in Germany, so even though I have three small children and am hugely round with child, I probably won't get too many strange looks. Sometimes the midwives around here will tell a pregnant woman to take a load off and have a beer to relax. =)

[Lara]

I am going to try it - I have been thinking about making bread for ages and bread made with beer sounds ace. I might try Honey Dew beer to see what that tastes like. xx

[Knit Nurse]

I am crap when it comes to making bread, but surely even I could manage this? Dammit, I'm going to give it a go!

[Sharon]

Aaaaaaaaaarghhhhhhhhhhhh brilliant!!!!

xx

[Dawn]

I totally have to do this. I keep eyeing up the Duchy ale in the local Co-op, but don't think I can bring myself to give Prince Charles any money, the posh git.

[P]

Fantastic! Is it really that simple? I must definitely try this.