Easy Beer Bread

This beer bread recipe tastes a lot like the Tastefully Simple brand box mix sold at in-home parties. This easy beer bread recipe gives you a very inexpensive copycat for any of those pre-boxed beer bread mixes out there. Why pay about $8 a box when this beer bread only costs a fraction to make?

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

What Is Beer Bread?

Beer bread is a quick bread recipe that needs no yeast. It incorporates an entire bottle of, you guessed it, beer! The beer acts in place of yeast as the leavening agent. Plus, this is beer bread with self-rising flour.

If you don’t like the taste of beer, don’t worry! The finished loaf does not taste like you are drinking a bottle of beer.

Instead, the beer adds a great flavor to the bread, and the alcohol dissipates during the baking process. There’s absolutely no way to get a little tipsy with this easy beer bread recipe!

What Makes This Beer Bread Recipe the One You Should Try

There are various recipes for beer bread out there, but none as tasty and simple as this one. This recipe makes a very hearty beer bread with a beautiful yeasty/malty flavor that’s not at all beer-y or overwhelming. It tastes…comforting. And, let’s not forget the crunchy, buttery crust. 

If making homemade bread isn’t on your schedule but the bread box is empty, this recipe has you covered! You can make a perfect crusty loaf in about one hour.

Note: Your children can eat beer bread. Most, if not all, of the alcohol cooks out, leaving behind just the yeasty and savory flavors.

Beer Bread Recipe Ingredients

This is one bread that you can whip up quickly to have with dinner because you’ll probably have the following ingredients on hand. You don’t need yeast because this is beer bread with self-rising flour and the beer itself contains yeast:

• Self-rising flour
• Sugar
• Beer
• Butter

Ingredient Substitutions

If you don’t drink beer, you can substitute a lemon-lime soda or even ginger ale for the beer.

CopyKat Tip: If you use a non-alcoholic beverage instead of beer, add 2 teaspoons of bread machine yeast or a packet of active dry yeast in order to get a good rise.

What Is the Best Beer for Beer Bread?

There is no single best beer for beer bread, but if you use a light beer, you won’t really taste the beer at all. So go with a darker beer, so more of that beer flavor gets infused into the loaf. Here’s a beer guide to help you:

• Beer Lover’s Choice. Use a fully flavored beer such as a craft IPA.
• Middle Ground. Amber beers strike a nice balance. The beer flavor is present and pleasant but not as pronounced as in beer bread made with a good IPA.
• Go Seasonal. Try making beer bread with a nutty brown winter ale, pumpkin ale, or even hard cider.
• Irish Beer Bread. For a St. Patrick’s Day recipe, use an Irish beer, make Guinness beer bread or make a bread with an Irish red ale such as Smithwick’s.

How to Make Beer Bread

This easy beer bread recipe only takes a few simple steps:

1. Combine the flour and sugar in a large bowl.
2. Add beer.

3. Stir until thoroughly combined. The dough will be sticky.

4. Pour the batter into a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan.
5. Brush the top with melted butter.
6. Bake at 350°F for 50 to 60 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
7. Cool the bread in the pan for 10 minutes.
8. After 10 minutes, remove the bread from the pan and place the bread on a wire rack and allow it to cool to room temperature before slicing it.

3 Tips for Making the Best Beer Bread

1. Use a beer that’s at room temperature. A cold one straight out of the fridge might cause your bread to bake unevenly. 
2. Sifting the flour will give you a better bread. Just scooping the 1 cup measure in the flour canister and leveling it off compacts the flour and can turn your bread into a hard brick.
3. Mix the dough well, but don’t go overboard. Unlike making bread with yeast, too much mixing may make your bread dense.

Beer Bread Recipe Variations

This easy beer bread recipe lends itself to variations. Here are a few ideas to create your own beer bread mixes:

• Honey Beer Bread: Add ¼ cup of honey instead of the sugar to make honey beer bread. 
• Herbed Beer Bread: Stir in 2 teaspoons dried herbs or 1 tablespoon fresh – try rosemary, basil, or thyme.
• Garlic Beer Bread: Mince a clove or two of garlic and add it to the mix.
• Cheese Beer Bread. Fold in 2/3 cup shredded cheese. Cheddar is classic, pepper jack gives a little spice, and fontina or gouda is fun for an Italian twist.
• Parmesan Beer Bread: Fold in ¼ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese (great combined with herbs and garlic).
• Some other savory additions could be bacon, jalapeño, or green onion.

How to Serve Beer Bread

• This beer bread is sensational for club sandwiches and also makes a killer grilled cheese sandwich.
• Top a slice of beer bread with a fried egg, cheese, and crispy bacon for a delicious open-faced breakfast sandwich. 
• Beer bread is just meant for dipping into soups or stews.
• Beer bread plus a yummy bruschetta gives you a perfect side dish or appetizer!

What Goes With Beer Bread?

Beer bread works as a side to many hearty main dishes, including:

• Cheeseburger Soup
• CrockPot Chili
• Instant Pot Beef Stew

How to Store Beer Bread

You can store this bread in an airtight container on the countertop for up to 1 week. Resist the urge to put it in the refrigerator. That will actually make your bread go stale more quickly.

How to Freeze Beer Bread

Beer bread mixes can be easily frozen and saved for later. Wrap cooled bread in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Beer bread can remain in the freezer for up to 6 months.

When ready to enjoy, allow the bread to thaw overnight in the fridge.

To reheat, you can choose to toast it, heat it through on a low setting in your oven, or place each slice in the microwave for about 20 seconds.

Love homemade quick bread? Try these recipes!

• Apple Bread
• Boston Brown Bread
• Homemade Zucchini Bread
• KFC Biscuits
• Red Lobster Biscuits
• Rhubarb Bread
• Sour Cream Cornbread

Favorite Recipes With Beer

• Beer Battered Shrimp
• Beer Biscuits
• Beer Cheese Fondue
• Beer Dip
• Beer Margarita

Check out more of my easy bread recipes and the best DIY recipes here on CopyKat!