The Best Beers for Beer Bread: Our Top Picks
Beer bread bakes the beer right into the loaf, so its flavour comes through in every slice. Pick a beer with a bit of malt and character, then pour yourself a glass of the same to go with it. Here are four that bake up beautifully.
| Beer | Style | Our rating | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newcastle Brown Ale | English Brown Ale | 4.2/5 | A sweeter, nuttier loaf |
| Guinness Extra Stout | Irish Extra Stout | 4.2/5 | A dark, savoury bread |
| Anchor Steam Beer | California Common | 4.4/5 | A toasty crust |
| Sierra Nevada Pale Ale | American Pale Ale | 4.3/5 | A hoppy edge |
Beer bread takes on the flavour of whatever you pour in, so pick the beer for the loaf you want. Malty for sweet, dark for savoury.
The Best Beers for Beer Bread, Reviewed
Newcastle Brown Ale
A brown ale is perfect for beer bread. The nutty caramel malt gives the loaf a rich, toasty flavour. Read the full Newcastle Brown Ale review.
- Nutty caramel malt
- Smooth and easy
- A classic brown ale
- Slightly sweet
- Low hop character
Guinness Extra Stout
For a dark, dense loaf with real depth, the roasted barley in Guinness bakes in beautifully. Read the full Guinness Extra Stout review.
- Bold roasted bitterness
- More punch than Draught
- Great with hearty food
- Dry and intense
- Heavier on the palate
Anchor Steam Beer
Its toasty, lightly fruity malt gives a lovely golden loaf with a bit of character. Read the full Anchor Steam Beer review.
- Toasty malt with a light hop bite
- Versatile with most food
- Iconic American craft beer
- Harder to find outside the US
- Middle of the road for extremes
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
A hoppy pale ale leaves a subtle bitterness in the crust that is great alongside a sharp cheese. Read the full Sierra Nevada Pale Ale review.
- Bright Cascade pine and citrus
- The benchmark pale ale
- Very versatile
- Hop bite is a lot for some
- Not sweet
The dish for a bakery-style crust
A covered ceramic baker traps steam around the loaf, which is the trick behind that crackly, bakery-style crust you cannot get on a bare tray.
Beer Bread and Beer: FAQs
What is the best beer for beer bread?
It depends on the loaf. Newcastle Brown Ale makes a sweeter, nuttier bread, while Guinness Extra Stout gives a dark, savoury result.
Does the beer flavour really carry into the bread?
Yes, more than in most cooking. A malty ale sweetens the crumb, a stout darkens it. Serve it alongside a bowl of stew for the full effect.
Related pairings: ale for stew, beer for corned beef, beer for beer cheese.
