Guinness Beer Bread

This Beer bread made with Guinness is not only easy to make, but it’s also delicious and if you love drinking Guinness, you’ll love eating Guinness as well! It goes well as a snack or served with soup for lunch or dinner.

If you’re like me and you love all things Irish and Ireland related, then you should definitely try making this bread plus the traditional Irish Soda Bread.

But let’s talk more about this Guinness Beer Bread recipe. It looks like quite a dense bread on the outside, but as soon as you cut into it you’ll notice how soft and moist it is. This Beer Bread is a quick bread, which means it doesn’t use yeast to rise, but baking powder as the leavening agent, and the Irish stout contributes to its growth as well.

Add some butter on top of a slice to make it even more flavourful and to add a touch of sweetness to your bread. If you have a very sweet tooth you will enjoy this Chocolate Nut Irish Soda Bread as well.

When I get into the mood to make this bread I go all out and end up making all the Irish recipes I can find and let’s just say that my family never complains!

Ingredients

• All Purpose Flour – This flour is the best option for a quick bread since it has a lower protein content than bread flour. It’s ideal for cookies and quick breads.
• Baking Powder – The leavening agent of choice for this recipe. It helps the bread rise. Make sure it hasn’t expired before using it.
• Salt
• Sugar
• Guinness Beer – The main ingredient in this recipe and where the bread gets its flavor from. The bubbles in the beer also help the bread rise while baking in the oven.
• Butter – Melted and divided. A part of it is added to the batter while the rest is drizzled on top of the mixture before going into the oven. It gives the bread its color and fat content.

How to Make Guinness Beer Bread

• Pre-heat oven to 350F (180C) and grease and flour a 9 inch loaf pan.

• In a large bowl add flour, baking powder and salt and whisk everything together. Add sugar, beer and ¼ cup of melted butter.

• Stir together with a wooden spoon just until combined. (about 15-16 stirs). It’s important not to over mix or the bread will be tough and dry.

• Spoon the mixture into the prepared loaf pan and pour the remaining ¼ cup of melted butter and bake for about 55-60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

• When ready, remove from the oven and let it sit in the loaf pan for 5 minutes before taking it out, then let it sit for 10 minutes on a cooling rack before cutting.

What Does Adding Beer to Bread Do?

Adding beer to the batter is a great idea! The yeast contained in the beer reacts with the baking powder and starches in the flour forcing the mixture to rise while baking in the oven.

You can use any kind of beer you want, but stouts are best if you want a more intense flavor added to your bread.

Is There Still Alcohol in Beer Bread after Baking?

Yes, but the majority of alcohol evaporates during the baking process. Yeast consumes sugar and excretes carbon dioxide and alcohol as byproducts of its fermentation.

Serving Ideas

Guinness Beer Bread can be served with several dishes but these are definitely a few of my favorite combinations:

• Beef Stew – Stew is the perfect comfort food during the colder months and this Beef and Potato Stew is the perfect meal to go with this beer bread.
• Shepherd’s Pie
• Hearty Chili
• With some Butter spread on top – This is one of my favorite ways of enjoying this bread. Simple, but efficient!

How to Store Guinness Beer Bread

This bread is best consumed right away, but it can last up to three days at room temperature tightly wrapped in plastic or stored in an airtight container. To refresh the bread, heat the slices for about 8 minutes at 350 F wrapped in foil.

This loaf can be frozen for up to 6 months. Let it cool completely and then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap before freezing. When ready to serve, thaw it in the refrigerator first and then heat it up in the microwave or oven.

This Guinness Beer Bread will make you feel like you’re sitting in a warm pub in Ireland without the hassle of taking a plane. You’re still in your cozy home with a slice of happiness in your hands!