Book review

Beer Bread: Brew-Infused Breads, Rolls, Biscuits, Muffins, and more

ell this cookbook certainly came at the right time! With many people adapting to more cooking (and bread baking) at home, there’s no better place to start than a good old Classic Beer Bread (p.150), a simple loaf to make with few ingredients (and no yeast).

Bread bakers will know there’s more to bread making beyond the simple loaf, and there’s no shortage of craft breweries with a myriad of styles and flavours available, so why not venture further? Full confession, I am not a beer drinker but I do have miscellaneous bottles/cans in my refrigerator. However, I love to bake any kind of bread, and I couldn’t wait to put some of those “leftovers” to good use.

The book is a collection of recipes of different baking methods, with easy quick breads, (no yeast required), yeasted breads, pizzas, and even dips and spreads such as the Classic Kentucky Beer Cheese (p.187). The recipes do mention a distinct style of beer and a suggested flavour profile, and if you’re beer savvy those choices may seem self-evident; but for the less knowledgeable, the explanations help understand why it works with that particular bread.

Included are recipes for a straightforward Honey Whole Wheat Blonde bread (p. 91), which is great for sandwiches; intriguing Pale Ale Cheeseburger Snack Rolls (p.68)—a hamburger stuffed in soft yeasty bread just waiting for a cold brew to go with it! The Biere de Garde Braided Brioche was golden delicious with the malt flavour balancing perfectly in the buttery dough. There are even some recipes on the sweeter side, such as the Tropical IPA Pineapple Coconut Bread (p. 58) or the

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By Lori Rice The Countryman Press 2020 $34

Amber Ale Apple Butter Swirl Bread (p.41). I think simple flatbread crackers using beer for the liquid (p. 140) are better for it!

I have uncovered so many new ways to use my “leftover” beer, so whether your own enthusiasm is for beer or a new-found need to bake, this book should inspire you to experiment with beer.

Karen is a lawyer by trade, who claims to have been on the “know where your food comes from” bandwagon sooner than most, and now focuses on foraging her daily food from local growers.

Enjoy Foothills Creamery ice cream at home! Our small batch, barrel churned ice cream is made with real cream and fresh buttermilk, making it the perfect at home treat! Available at your local grocery stores.