Jack Nicholson once said, "Beer, it's the best damn drink in the world."
I cannot help but to agree with Mr. Nicholson. Don't get me wrong wine and other beverages are pretty damn good too, but there is nothing like grasping a nice ice cold brew in your mitts. The satisfying sensation of this fermented wheat beverage running down your throat and coating your stomach makes me "hoppy". Get it.....like happy!!!
Growing up in Maine gives me bragging rights to declare that Maine has some of the best craft beers in the US. Not only do we have amazing breweries in Maine but those beers are sold nationwide-making them household names. Portland alone is home to some of the best breweries in the state such as; Allagash, Shipyard, Geary's, and Sebago Brewing Company. In other cities such as Freeport there is the Maine Beer Company and in Bangor there is Sea Dog Brewery.
I recently drove home for a little weekend escape/Superbowl 50 party action! When I was home I decided that I would visit Allagash Brewery in Portland. I LOVE Allagash and it is tied with Sea Dog Brewery for my number one "favorite beer" spot. Allagash offers visitors a free tour of their facility showcasing their new brewing room and a look at their original brewing room followed by a tasting of four beers in the largest oak barrel aging room for beer in the United States. It was an impressive facility and not to mention amazing beers!!
One thing I like to do with beer, besides consuming it, is to make beer bread!
What is beer bread you ask? Well beer bread is similar to Irish Soda Bread but just replacing the soda with the beer. The bread does not require any yeast because the beer is acting as that yeast. Beer bread, when made properly, has a nice golden brown exterior and a moist inside.
What about the alcohol in the beer? You bake it out! The alcohol will evaporate during the baking process-perfectly safe for the whole family to enjoy!
What does beer bread taste like? Well, it tastes like beer! It has a slight mellow flavor of whatever beer you use but without the alcohol content or the bitter aftertaste that some dislike. It is also is a hangover free way to consume a brewski!!!
Now that we covered the basics- I'll tell ya how to make this delicious bread! Don't worry it only takes a few moments to mix up and it is very easy to make!
Ingredients:
All-Purpose Flour, 3 cups
White Granulated Sugar, 1/3 cup
Salt, 1/2 tsp.
Baking Powder, 1 tbsp.
Butter (melted), 2 1/2 tbsp.
Beer, 1 (12oz.) bottle /can
[You can use whatever beer you have on hand, I find Michelob Ultra or Yuengling are the best but you do not by any means need to use these or go out and buy any fancy/expensive beers for this recipe]
Method:
1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2) In a large mixing bowl combine flour, sugar, salt, and baking soda. Mix until fully incorporated.
3) Slowly pour in beer while mixing with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula. The mixture will start to foam and it will be very sticky. Keep mixing until all of the beer is incorporated. The dough will look like a shaggy mass.
I cannot help but to agree with Mr. Nicholson. Don't get me wrong wine and other beverages are pretty damn good too, but there is nothing like grasping a nice ice cold brew in your mitts. The satisfying sensation of this fermented wheat beverage running down your throat and coating your stomach makes me "hoppy". Get it.....like happy!!!
Growing up in Maine gives me bragging rights to declare that Maine has some of the best craft beers in the US. Not only do we have amazing breweries in Maine but those beers are sold nationwide-making them household names. Portland alone is home to some of the best breweries in the state such as; Allagash, Shipyard, Geary's, and Sebago Brewing Company. In other cities such as Freeport there is the Maine Beer Company and in Bangor there is Sea Dog Brewery.
I recently drove home for a little weekend escape/Superbowl 50 party action! When I was home I decided that I would visit Allagash Brewery in Portland. I LOVE Allagash and it is tied with Sea Dog Brewery for my number one "favorite beer" spot. Allagash offers visitors a free tour of their facility showcasing their new brewing room and a look at their original brewing room followed by a tasting of four beers in the largest oak barrel aging room for beer in the United States. It was an impressive facility and not to mention amazing beers!!
One thing I like to do with beer, besides consuming it, is to make beer bread!
What is beer bread you ask? Well beer bread is similar to Irish Soda Bread but just replacing the soda with the beer. The bread does not require any yeast because the beer is acting as that yeast. Beer bread, when made properly, has a nice golden brown exterior and a moist inside.
What about the alcohol in the beer? You bake it out! The alcohol will evaporate during the baking process-perfectly safe for the whole family to enjoy!
What does beer bread taste like? Well, it tastes like beer! It has a slight mellow flavor of whatever beer you use but without the alcohol content or the bitter aftertaste that some dislike. It is also is a hangover free way to consume a brewski!!!
Now that we covered the basics- I'll tell ya how to make this delicious bread! Don't worry it only takes a few moments to mix up and it is very easy to make!
Ingredients:
All-Purpose Flour, 3 cups
White Granulated Sugar, 1/3 cup
Salt, 1/2 tsp.
Baking Powder, 1 tbsp.
Butter (melted), 2 1/2 tbsp.
Beer, 1 (12oz.) bottle /can
[You can use whatever beer you have on hand, I find Michelob Ultra or Yuengling are the best but you do not by any means need to use these or go out and buy any fancy/expensive beers for this recipe]
Method:
1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2) In a large mixing bowl combine flour, sugar, salt, and baking soda. Mix until fully incorporated.
3) Slowly pour in beer while mixing with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula. The mixture will start to foam and it will be very sticky. Keep mixing until all of the beer is incorporated. The dough will look like a shaggy mass.
4) Then place dough in a buttered bread loaf pan. Spread the dough evenly in loaf pan.
5) Pour the melted butter over the top of the bread loaf. This will make the it golden brown and give it a perfect crust.
Bake bread for 45-50 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean when placed in the center of bread.
5) Pour the melted butter over the top of the bread loaf. This will make the it golden brown and give it a perfect crust.
Bake bread for 45-50 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean when placed in the center of bread.
When the bread is done, I like to let it sit in the pan for about 3 minutes and then I remove it to place it on a cooling rack.
I love eating this with some butter spread on a slice or it is perfect for dipping in some homemade chili or hearty cream soups!
Feel free to take a peek inside Allagash Brewery!!!