Orwasher's Artisan Beer And Wine Breads
For better bread, just add booze?
They say that beer is "liquid bread," but at Orwasher's Bakery, bread is baked beer.
Last year, owner Keith Cohen introduced a line of wine breads to the 94-year-old UES bakery's offerings. His successful experiments with a grape-based starter soon got other ideas brewing: This month, Cohen premiered his beer bread–a chewy, dark-hued creation with a nutty, robust flavor that comes from the Otis Stout from Sixpoint Craft Ales that's mixed into the dough.
Beer's natural complexity lends itself to a hearty, nuanced loaf, explains Cohen. Fired in a brick oven, the finished product has a thick crust that helps keep its toasty, faintly malty flavor fresh for days. Although it's not quite like drinking a glass of beer, biting into the bread replicates the rich, soothing pleasures found in a pint.
Cohen suggests pairing the bread with charcuterie and cheese, but we think it also serves as a mean base for a roast beef sandwich.
Orwasher's beer bread is available at the bakery ($5 a loaf) as well as at Zabar's, Gourmet Garage, Citarella and through the Basis Good Food To You program. The bread will also be served–alongside Sixpoint beers–at Edible's Good Beer Bash on July 28 (click here to buy tickets).
Orwasher's Bakery, 308 E. 78th St. (between First and Second aves.); 212-288-6569 or orwasherbakery.com?