Four years ago, we made the decision to dive deep into the science of pancake making with beer as a primary ingredient; and we wrote a blog to introduce customers to the concept. While we weren't expecting a culinary revolution, we hoped it might set a golden (syrup) standard in the way we view our relationship between beer and batter.
Why Beer & Pancakes? 🍺🥞
Pancakes are in high demand this time of the year, and so are Siren beers – with a generous number of patrons having recently absolved from their 31 driest days in January. Logically, this must mean that pancakes made with our favourite beer are a perfect pairing.
We're no strangers to this combination either. In 2021, we brought you Caribbean Chocolate White Pancake Stack, and in the same year (we must have been on a sugar high), the sessionable Nitro stout Midnight Stack made it's appearance.
If pancake flavour can be added to beer, why can't beer be used to flavour pancakes?
The Challenge 💪
In preparation for Pancake Day on the 17th February, we chose to challenge ourselves. Three sets of pancakes would be made to the same recipe shared from 2022, each made by a different member of our marketing team, and each to be whipped up with a different style of beer in the mix.
The Beers 🍻
Hannah, our eCommerce Manager, chose to use Hearts on Fire, a hearty and wholesome 5.4% Brown Ale for her pancakes. Marketing Executives Amy and Richard took the sessionable Nitro Stout Recurring Dream and zesty Dry-Hopped Sour beer Calypso for theirs.
The Recipe 📖
Let’s look at the original recipe, to which each team member would rigorously follow to the gram. Beer, flour, baking powder, sugar, and an egg.
Here’s the recipe so you can make your own at home – but perhaps hold off until you’ve been debriefed on the results below.
- 330ml of beer
- 125g of plain flour
- 1tsp of baking powder
- 2 ½ tsp of sugar
- 1 egg
- Combine all the ingredients listed.
- Melt a little butter in a pan over a medium heat and add a ladle of batter mixture, spreading it out to the edges of the pan.
- Once the first side is cooked, flip it over and cook until done.
With a team meeting at our Reading RG1 bar the following morning after this challenge was set, each participant had to get to work that evening to produce their stand-out-stacks, ready for an early morning tasting by Hospitality Manager Danny.
In just a matter of hours, one of these beers would be crowned Supreme Champion Beer of Batter 2026.
The Judging ⚖️
The following day, the team arrived at the bar for the tasting with some trepidation. The gold-standard 2022 recipe had produced some great looking pancakes - but how would the taste compare?
The original recipe featured Liquid Mistress, and years later was updated to Red Flame and Jiggery Pokery, both of which were Red IPAs; a style that we did not have available for this round of baking (but look out soon for a new session Red IPA, Liquid Mystique, hitting the webshop). For now, the three amateur bakers were treating new territory.
The pancakes were revealed, and plated. Spoon in hand (who needs a fork?), our competition judge tasted each delicacy in turn, taking time to savour the unusually intriguing blend of sweet batter and bitter beer.
The Results Are In 🏆
After a judge was finished, the three sets of pancakes were ranked accordingly.
🥇 Amy with her Recurring Dream Stout Pancakes
Visual: The thickest of the three, with the deepest brown hue.
Aroma: Very beery, but not overwhelmingly so.
Taste: Smooth and with a welcome hint of bitterness and roasty flavour.
🥈 Richard with their Calypso Dry-Hopped Sour Pancakes
Visual: Classic pancake colour and form.
Aroma: A subtle citrussy aroma – no need to add lemon juice here.
Taste: The tartness really cut through, but might not be for everyone. This was our wildcard.
🥉 Hannah with her Hearts on Fire Brown Ales Pancakes
Visual: Tan brown, and uniform throughout.
Aroma: Maltier than most, with the familiar beery scent; similar to Recurring Dream.
Taste: The malty aroma didn't quite shine through, but these pancakes were still a winner.
Final Verdict: “Amy was the winner today, but only because I like Recurring Dream the best.”
The Conclusion 🎯
Baking with beer may sound like a match made in heaven to us, but based on our results, it doesn't guarantee the best pancake every time. Our journey toward Champion Beer of Batter 2026 might have ended with this internal competition in the name of content, but we still think that beer and pancakes is a novel idea worthy of further experimentation.
We’re keen to know if you think you can do any better. Have you made beer pancakes before? What beer would the best? This Pancake Day, why not make a batch with beer and try for yourselves…
…Or, stick to brewery-fresh cans, delivered straight to your door. Recurring Dream, Hearts on Fire and Calypso are all available now online, amongst a whole host of other excitingly hoppy and forward flavour brews. Click here to shop all beers today or discover our freshest releases here.
We'd Love Your Feedback 💬
We’re always looking for way to bring new and unique brewery and beers content to our customers. What did you think of this blog, and the story behind it? We’d love to hear your thoughts, and would welcome an email to siren@sirencraftbrew.com with the subject line PANCAKES to let us know if you enjoyed this piece of writing.
