Dutch Oven Beer Bread Recipe

Couldn’t finish that beer and you’re gonna thrown it away? Stop! Let me give you a new use for this leftover.

I used to drink a lot when I was younger. Until recently, I didn’t know what was not to finish a can of beer or a bottle of wine. Now that I’m a light drinker, there’s always some wine waiting to be finished in my fridge, or some warm unfinished beer ready to be thrown in the sink. I’m not a fan of waste, especially when it comes to beer. I had to fix that without forcing myself to drink it all.

Years ago I’ve found where to use my leftover wine, but leftover beer? What could hardly go wrong if following a recipe, and if it does, would still be edible? Bread, of course!

Why try this recipe:

• You love trying new things;
• Have some leftover beer;
• Want to bake beer bread without baking powder;
• Want a vegan beer bread recipe (you just have to make sure your beer is vegan).

Does this bread taste like beer?

Usually no, it doesn’t! But it may depend.

I usually use pilsner for this recipe, and its taste goes completely after it’s baked. Never tried with a stout, but I think using a Guinness in this recipe would give an amazing result, and the final colour of the bread would be beautiful.

I know a very strong IPA leaves some of its taste - but a good one! Hard cider may also leave a taste, but you can totally make this bread with it.

• 

• 

What is the best beer to make beer bread with, then?

Again, it depends. If you do it with a pilsner, it definitely will taste like bread, and bread only. With that said, if you don’t mind having a beerish taste, you can pretty much try it with any beer you’d like.

As I don’t use sugar here, if you prefer your bread sightly sweet, use a beer less bitter, or switch the beer for a cider - also a good fit for this recipe. Use whatever beer or cider you want, there are millions of possibilities for this recipe!

Will beer bread make me drunk?

No, it won't. Baking this bread basically evaporates the alcohol in it, only leaving the flavor.

How do I store this bread?

In a bread keeper or closed recipient, after the bread has cooled down. It lasts for about 3 days. After that time, the bread starts to dry out - still good for a toast, though.

Does it freeze well?

I wouldn’t recomend freezing this bread - mostly because I don’t like to freeze bread. I think freezing it changes the texture, and fresh bread always tastes better.

Can I bake it without a dutch oven?

I would stick with a dutch oven for this recipe. But yes, you can try to do it without one: instead of skipping the preheat, do it for 15 minutes before baking your bread. Shape your bread into a ball, put on a sheet pan and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until golden on top.

But be aware: the crust won't be the same. We use a dutch oven to bake this bread so it has a humid enough environment to develop an artisan-style crust.

What if I don’t have a stand mixer to knead?

If you don’t, you’ll have to do it the hard way. Knead your dough for about 15 minutes to get the same results as you would on a stand mixer.

• 

• 

What to serve with this bread?

I love spreading jam on it! This bread is also great for toasting, as it is for making grilled cheese. If you’re going with the last one, don’t forget to add some onion chutney to it.

Want more bread recipes? If you’re running out of time, try my quick bread, or if you’re digging something indulgent, try this pumpkin brioche.