Posted by Tastefully Simple on August 11, 2022
Weekends in the kitchen can be such a simple pleasure.
Sometimes, that means filling your home with the heavenly aroma of buttery, fresh-baked bread. Sometimes, that means opening the fridge for an ice-cold beer. But the best weekends at home, well – they just might include a bit of both.
The Joys of Beer Bread
That’s right, friends. Today we’re talking about the best of both worlds: beer bread!
With Bountiful Beer Bread Mix®, it’s simple to make your own warm, golden homemade bread in less than an hour. Just add beer and butter. BOOM. That’s it.
But hold on … what’s the best beer for making beer bread?
Stouts. Ales. Porters. Lagers. There are so many different choices out there, from light to dark, from citrusy to hoppy. So this week, we decided to get a second opinion from the one and only Schell’s Brewery!
Special Guest: Schell’s Brewery
A Rich History of Beer
Schell’s Brewing is the second-oldest family-owned brewery in the United States. In fact, Schell’s has been brewing beer since 1860. (Yes, you read that correctly.) It’s also the largest brewery in Minnesota.
Over the years, the brewery has evolved, of course – and so has the beer. But what truly sets it apart just might be what hasn’t changed.
Last week I was lucky enough to chat with Curt Van Asten, General Manager of the Schell Brewing Visitor’s Center. “Stepping onto the grounds is like being transported back in time,” Curt says. The brewery is tucked back in the wooded hills of New Ulm, Minnesota, and every brick reflects a bit of its rich history and German heritage. “It’s definitely not your typical industrial-looking brewery,” he adds, laughing.
Schell’s Beer Bread Taste-Testing
In short: after 150+ years, Schell’s Brewery definitely knows a thing or two about beer.
So we invited the crew to bake our beloved bread mix with a few of their favorite brews and share their recommendations with us. The team sampled several fresh-baked loaves, stirred up with four of their popular beers:
- Schell’s Deer Brand – An award-winning American lager that dates back to pre-Prohibition (really!)
- Grain Belt Nordeast – A smooth American amber lager
- Grain Belt Lem’n Shandy – A seasonal, refreshing lemon shandy lager
- Schell’s Firebrick – A mild and malty Vienna-style amber lager
The Winning Beers
What was the verdict?
#1 Winner: Grain Belt Lem’n Shandy
Light and refreshing, this sunny lemon shandy is perfect for summertime – and perfect for beer bread. “Honestly, all four loaves of bread were delicious,” Curt says. “But this was everybody’s top choice. It made such beautifully bright, golden bread. The light lemon flavor shone through, and we all loved it.”
#2 Runner-Up: Schell’s Firebrick
Next in line: a mild Vienna-style amber lager, named after the bricks that line the old boilers at Schell’s Brewery. “This was our second favorite,” Curt says. “The maltiness was such a great complement to the bread, and it added a really nice complexity to it.”
I asked Curt if he had any other advice when it comes to choosing a beer for making your own beer bread at home.
“I’d probably avoid IPAs since they would tend to be too bitter. Citrus notes like tangerine would be great. But otherwise, I don’t think you can go wrong with a pilsner or lager,” he says. “A good rule of thumb is to think about whatever goes well with a hamburger.”
He adds that of course, some people absolutely love dark breads like rye and dark beers like porters and stouts. “It can be a bit of trial and error. But my personal opinion? If you’re pairing carbs with carbs,” he laughs. “Keep it light.”
Now that’s some good advice to keep on tap.
Cheers, friends!
– Jen
P.S. Looking for any of the beers mentioned above? Schell’s and Grain Belt beer are available throughout the Midwest. You can also use the Schell’s beer locator or Grain Belt beer locator on the brewery’s websites to find your favorites at a location near you.
P.P.S For more tips, check out What’s the Best Beer for Beer Bread? Part 1 if you missed it earlier this month!