Beer Rye Bread
Annabelle Breakey
Total Time 3 hrs 30 mins
AuthorJessica Battilana

This bread recipe produces a mild-tasting loaf with a tender crumb.

How to Make It

Step 1
1

In a mixing bowl, combine yeast with 1/2 cup warm water. Let stand 5 minutes. Stir in beer, brown sugar, butter, caraway seeds, molasses, 2 tsp. salt, and 1 cup of each flour. Beat well, then gradually add remaining flours until dough is stiff and no longer sticky.

Step 2
2

Turn dough out on a lightly floured work surface and knead until smooth and elastic. Put dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning once to grease the top and bottom. Cover, put in a warm, draft-free place, and let rise until doubled in bulk, 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

Step 3
3

Punch down dough, divide in half, and shape halves into balls. Put balls on a large baking sheet, cover, and let rise until almost doubled, 45 to 60 minutes. Brush loaves with egg wash and sprinkle each with 1/2 tsp. salt.

Step 4
4

Bake at 375° for 35 to 40 minutes, or until crusts are well browned and loaves make a hollow sound when tapped. Transfer loaves to rack and let cool.

Step 5
5

Note: Nutritional analysis is per slice.

Ingredients

 2 tablespoons active dry yeast
 1 (12-oz.) bottle Belgian-style ale (such as New Belgium's Abbey) or other dark, fruity ale
 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
 1/4 cup butter, melted
 1 1/2 tablespoons caraway seeds
 1/4 cup molasses (not blackstrap)
 1 tablespoon coarse kosher salt
 2 cups all-purpose flour
 2 cups whole-wheat flour
 2 cups rye flour
  Egg wash (1 egg beaten with 1 tbsp. water)

Directions

Step 1
1

In a mixing bowl, combine yeast with 1/2 cup warm water. Let stand 5 minutes. Stir in beer, brown sugar, butter, caraway seeds, molasses, 2 tsp. salt, and 1 cup of each flour. Beat well, then gradually add remaining flours until dough is stiff and no longer sticky.

Step 2
2

Turn dough out on a lightly floured work surface and knead until smooth and elastic. Put dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning once to grease the top and bottom. Cover, put in a warm, draft-free place, and let rise until doubled in bulk, 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

Step 3
3

Punch down dough, divide in half, and shape halves into balls. Put balls on a large baking sheet, cover, and let rise until almost doubled, 45 to 60 minutes. Brush loaves with egg wash and sprinkle each with 1/2 tsp. salt.

Step 4
4

Bake at 375° for 35 to 40 minutes, or until crusts are well browned and loaves make a hollow sound when tapped. Transfer loaves to rack and let cool.

Step 5
5

Note: Nutritional analysis is per slice.

Beer Rye Bread

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