How many servings does this recipe make?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

What ingredients do I need for Sourdough Beer Bread (Schwarzbierbrot)?

You need 13 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 120 g Rye flour, 110 ml water (slightly less than 1/2 cup), 1 Tbsp sourdough starter/mother (12 g), 110 g whole wheat or whole grain spelt flour, and more.

Is Sourdough Beer Bread (Schwarzbierbrot) suitable as general?

Yes, Sourdough Beer Bread (Schwarzbierbrot) falls under the General category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

How do I store leftover Sourdough Beer Bread (Schwarzbierbrot)?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3–5 days. For longer storage, freeze for up to 3 months — no need to refrigerate or reheat.

Sourdough Beer Bread (Schwarzbierbrot) Recipe

Name: Sourdough Beer Bread (Schwarzbierbrot)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 120 g Rye flour; 110 ml water (slightly less than 1/2 cup); 1 Tbsp sourdough starter/mother (12 g); 110 g whole wheat or whole grain spelt flour; 110 ml water (slightly less than 1/2 cup); 2 pinches active dry yeast; 1 batch each Finished sourdough + poolish from above; 270 g bread flour; 115 g dark beer or brown ale (1/2 cup); 2 g active dry yeast (1/2 tsp); 10 g kosher salt (2 tsp); 10 g honey, optional (2 tsp); 1 handful each flaxseed and sunflower seeds (optional)

1

In separate bowls, mix together the ingredients for the Sourdough Pre-dough and the Poolish Pre-dough.

2

Cover each bowl with plastic and let it at room temp for about 20 hours.

3

After 20 hours the Sourdough Pre-dough should be a little frothy and bigger.

4

The Poolish Pre-dough will be bubbly and bigger.

5

In a large bowl, mix together the two pre-doughs and the rest of the ingredients (except for flaxseed and sunflower seeds) until it comes together into a sticky lumpy dough.

6

Remove the dough onto a well-floured cutting board and knead with the palm of your hands: push the dough down with your hand, fold in over itself and push down again, rotating as you go.

7

Knead for 15-17 minutes.

8

The dough will become more elastic and smooth.

9

If it sticks a lot to the surface or your hands while kneading, dust with a little more flour and scrape up the dough from the surface to incorporate back in.

10

If mixing in flaxseed/sunflower seeds, gradually knead them into the dough after the 15 minutes of kneading.

11

Form into a ball and return to the bowl.

12

Cover with plastic and let rise for 2 hours at room temp (the the dough over itself after 1 hour and return to bowl).

13

After 2 hours of rising, remove the dough, turn upside down and fold the sides up to form into a ball again (this helps make sure the exposed part of the dough's skin gets moistened again.

14

Let sit for 20 minutes covered with wrap.

15

Form the round dough into a long, cylindrical loaf.

16

Place it fold-side down on parchment paper and let rise for another 30 minutes.

17

Meanwhile preheat oven to 480F/250C.

18

Place a shallow pan at the bottom rack which we'll use to create steam later.

19

(prepare some boiling water for this too)

20

When ready to bake, cut a 1 cm deep slit down the center of the bread.

21

(I sprinkled the top of my bread with flaxseed, but I don't recommend this because it got too dark during baking).

22

Place the loaf on the center rack on a baking sheet and pour boiling water into the pan below it.

23

Bake for 10 minutes, then carefully remove the tray of steaming water.

24

Turn oven down to 430F/220C and bake for 30-35 minutes until the crust is dark and crisp.

25

Remove from oven and let cool on a rack for about 1 hour.

26

Slice and enjoy with butter, cheese, or your favorite accompaniments with bread :)

Sourdough Beer Bread (Schwarzbierbrot)

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