Rich, dense, fudgy chocolate Guinness brownies:
Something not a lot of people in the blogworld know about me:
I happen to really love beer.
Surprised?
My first beer experience took place in Sapporo, Japan, and it wasn’t exactly a wonderful welcome into the alcoholic world. I was six years old, eating dinner with my family, and the only drinks on the menu were beer and soda. I loathe soda… and I asked for apple juice, which they sadly did not carry.
So I ordered the next best thing: a pint of beer.
I still remember my mom’s face… and how she asked my dad with alarm, “They’re not really going to bring her a beer, are they??”
Yes, they really did bring me a beer.
They set the glass right down on the table in front of me, and my mother was completely horrified. As were the people at the next table.
But my dad was amused.
He told me, “Go ahead and drink it, Katie.” So, feeling all grown-up and important, I took a sip. Just one sip. Then I made a face and pushed the glass across the table. The waiter laughed and brought me a water.
And it would be almost twenty years before I’d change my opinion of beer.
While Guinness is not normally my beer of choice (I’m an IPA girl), it does extraordinary things to these chocolate brownies, adding over-the-top richness and deep chocolate flavor.
I am in love.
Question of the Day: Beer: do you love it or hate it?
I used to think I hated it… But that was back in college when my idea of beer was 6-packs of Bud Light (I call it “beer water”) being downed 8 or 9 at a time by people who really didn’t care about the flavor and were only drinking to get drunk. Craft beer is an entirely different experience: in each beer, it’s not uncommon to detect three or four (or five or six!) distinct flavors all at once, setting your tastebuds on an exciting adventure as they try to pick up on each flavor.
*Edit for vegans:
I’ve just been informed that, depending on where you live, not all Guinness is vegan, although the company is in the process of changing their filtering system so that all Guinness will be vegan. Feel free to use your favorite vegan stout in this recipe. If you’re gluten-free, you can use gluten-free beer.
Chocolate Guinness Brownies
Chocolate Guinness Brownies
Print This Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp milk of choice (30g)
- 1 cup Guinness or your favorite stout (240g)
- 2 tbsp flaxmeal (11g)
- 1/2 cup plus 3 tbsp olive oil or vegetable or coconut oil (110g)
- 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract (15g)
- 1 cup spelt, all-purpose, or Bob’s gf flour (120g)
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa or cacao powder (80g)
- 1/4 tsp plus 1/8 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 cup brown sugar or date sugar (115g)
- only if using Bob’s flour, add 1/4 tsp xanthan gum
- 1/3 cup stevia baking blend OR regular sugar (you can reduce to 1/4 cup if you have no sweet tooth and are used to healthy desserts)
- 2/3 cup mini chocolate chips, optional
Instructions
Guinness Brownies Recipe: Preheat oven to 330F and grease a 9×13 pan. Set aside. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together all liquid ingredients and flaxmeal. In a separate bowl, thoroughly combine all remaining ingredients. Pour wet into dry, stir to combine, and pour into prepared pan. Bake 13-17 minutes (13 for fudge-like brownies, 17 for cakey brownies). Brownies will look underdone when they come out but this is okay! Let cool, then refrigerate overnight and the texture will firm up nicely. DO NOT eat until the next day, as the taste and texture will change while they set.
Link Of The Day:
christine says
30th January 2014 at 2:24 pmI’m exactly the same: hated beer in college, didn’t appreciate it til I discovered craft beers… and I’m an IPA girl, too.
M says
30th January 2014 at 2:32 pmNot sure if you’re aware, but Guinness is not vegan!
Chelsea says
30th January 2014 at 3:37 pmFrom what I’ve read, Guinness made in Canada is not vegan, while that made in the US is, and there’s realty no way to tell which is which.
Sue K says
16th March 2014 at 5:06 pmAt some point the US maker licensed to make Guinness here changed (used to be Coors, I think?) -so now, it’s no longer vegan in the US. I made a vegan Irish Stout stew last year using Killian’s Irish Stout.
Chocolate Covered Katie says
30th January 2014 at 3:56 pmOh wow, I didn’t know this and didn’t even think about the fact that it might be unvegan because of how it’s processed. I feel awful and have edited my post. I took out the first photo (of me holding a can of Guinness). Unfortunately I can’t change the url of the post, but hopefully I’ve made it clear enough in the actual post that Guinness is not suitable for vegans. I really am so very sorry :(.
No says
30th January 2014 at 4:25 pmNo “I’m sorry” is not acceptable. You shouldn’t have made the mistake in the first place. When your blog gets hundreds of thousands of people visiting it every day your not allowed to make errors like that. You should know that guinness is not vegan.
Michelle says
30th January 2014 at 4:32 pmShe’s not allowed to make errors? I’m pretty sure that she is human and is therefore allowed to make errors. I have no doubt that every single one of us vegans have made mistakes and eaten (or drank…) something that was not vegan. (I know I have!) The only thing we can do is learn from our mistakes and not repeat them once we know better.
Lauren says
30th January 2014 at 4:35 pmOMG. You are such a rude person LOL. Get a life.
Cdub says
30th January 2014 at 4:56 pmStop reading Katie’s blog if you’re going to be so rude to her, it is unnecessary. She’s corrected her mistake.
Mariel says
30th January 2014 at 5:15 pmI bet you’re a lot of fun at parties.
thegrrrr8est says
30th January 2014 at 9:15 pmI bet she’s not! 😉
Jamie says
30th January 2014 at 5:24 pmHow about you look at the positive instead – look at how many people will now be educated about Guinness not being vegan.
Oh and also, rude poster person, you should probably know the difference between your and you’re. You’re not allowed to make errors like that.
Annie says
30th January 2014 at 5:53 pmGood call. It is indecent to harass someone for a relatively minor mistake which didn’t even have a bad outcome; and especially when the accuser him/herself is being a hypocrite.
Alissa says
30th January 2014 at 6:34 pmEveryone is allowed to make errors. That’s called being human. Particularly when someone adopts and unconventional lifestyle like veganism that requires lots of adaptations and adjustments, there will be errors. Yes, Katie gets hundreds of thousands of page views, meaning she gives free recipes and stuff to hundreds of thousands of people. Maybe a thank you and some understanding would be a more appropriate reaction than turning all vegan police…
Gigi says
30th January 2014 at 6:39 pmWow, I thought this site was a jack*** free zone. If someone cares that some beers use a few obscure animal products in the production of it, I bet they know to NOT DRINK THOSE BEERS since more careful vegans I know (not lazy ones like me who go by the ‘close enough’ principle) check basically everything they put in their bodies. So I think an innocent mistake is totally okay here.
Stephanie says
30th January 2014 at 6:56 pmYou’re horrible and should be ashamed to say such things while concealing your name. Everyone makes mistakes!
Sarah says
30th January 2014 at 7:42 pmYou are the kind of vegan that makes me nervous to tell people I’m vegan. It’s the ultra crazy, unrealistic loons that give us sane vegans a bad reputation.
Sacia says
30th January 2014 at 8:44 pmThat is so rude! Not Sara, the person being mean to Katie!
Sacia says
30th January 2014 at 8:45 pmThat is so ride! Who do you think you are!
Jamie says
30th January 2014 at 9:00 pmOh, get over yourself. Any strict vegan will know what is and what isn’t vegan. And omnivores, like myself, ARE SUPER STOKED ABOUT TRYING OUT THIS RECIPE!! Thanks Katie!!!! (Do not let anyone make you feel bad about this!!!!)
thegrrrr8est says
30th January 2014 at 9:16 pmOh. So YOU’RE the one perfect human on the planet.
Good to know.
Hubris is such an ugly color.
EVA says
30th January 2014 at 10:52 pmDamn….last time I checked this wasn’t your blog, so you don’ t make the rules. “No”, if YOU are the one paying the URL bills and giving your time to create this website then by all means your point is valid. But I don’t think that’s the case so SUCK IT.
dhj says
31st January 2014 at 3:01 amHey maybe nobody but me and “No” knows this but…Katie is definitely the gatekeeper of what all of her readers put into their bodies.
(Katiegurl this recipe looks TOTES AMAZEBALLS [I’m under 30 so I can say that]. Thank you for all you do.)
Steph says
31st January 2014 at 7:03 amSweet Jesus I’m pretty sure that person was just after the attention which you all have so generously given.
Maggie says
31st January 2014 at 1:47 pmGet off it, jerk. Katie’s done more for the vegan movement than you ever will, with or without the occasional mistake. Love that you posted anonymously, by the way.
Maggie says
31st January 2014 at 1:50 pmAlso…you realize that you’re not even using the correct form of “you’re” while you condemn her for making a mistake, right?
Casper says
31st January 2014 at 10:10 pmI know Katie is a vegan and her recipes are but I don’t think that there is any guarantee anywhere. Plus she often talks about honey when it’s in a recipe. If you are a strict vegan you should check things for your self and not blame others.
Just to let you know there are many people out there who choose to not eat animals products for health benefits and not ethical reasons.
Brandi says
31st January 2014 at 11:12 pmWow. Are you kidding me? So, I guess you are the only person in life that is perfect and doesn’t make mistakes?! I honestly thought you were joking at first, but clearly you are just a really over-the-top judgmental person.
Kate says
1st February 2014 at 1:31 amWhat a jerk. Nobody cares that you made a mistake, katie. Thank you for letting us know, though, thats really kind of you and im sure stict vegans are super grateful (im just here for the dessert lol). Dont let this loser get you down. <3
Monica says
2nd February 2014 at 6:16 pmWhat a total douche! Get a life!
Con says
3rd February 2014 at 10:10 pmEveryone makes mistakes. Not everyone knows everything there is to know about every vegan and non vegan product available.
Tayler says
4th February 2014 at 3:04 amGet Over yourself. Everyone makes mistakes and Katie is one of the best dessert bloggers out there! She is funny, happy, straightforward and has none of your negative energy. You shouldn’t be judgmental at all, especially that you are being anonymous. Katie, don’t let people like this person up there ruin your day. Everyone LOVES your recipies!!!
Kathleen says
12th February 2014 at 2:10 pmWow, what’s it like to be perfect?
Lol says
17th February 2014 at 11:27 amHaha, definitely a troll.
Steph says
14th March 2014 at 4:26 pmApparently everyone likes to feed trolls here.
Jessica says
19th February 2014 at 2:06 amDon’t be an ass. Katie clearly states in the post it’s bot vegan and that you can use 1C milk of your choice. Just because it’s not vegan you’re making a huge deal of nothing.
Katie never said in her blog that she was vegan or made specifically vegan products. How about saying thank you to her. She took time out of her day to come up with a vegan alternative for this.
Please also watch your make up. It’s most likely not cruelty free. We’re allowed to be human.
Katie it’s ok! Thank you for the edits. And the fact that you are trying to make healthy and vegan alternatives.
Suzanna says
11th December 2014 at 1:10 amYour comment is unacceptable. She made a little tiny mistake. She doesn’t deserve your cruel words. Why even go on her site just to be mean to Katie. Just because she doesn’t look up everything about every one of her ingredients doesn’t mean you have to treat Katie this way. Like you have always been so perfect. We all think you should apologize for talking this way to her.
I am sorry Katie that you had to receive this person’s unkind and simply immature comment. We all support you!
Suzanna says
11th December 2014 at 1:11 amYour comment is unacceptable. She made a little tiny mistake. She doesn’t deserve your cruel words. Why even go on her site just to be mean to Katie. Just because she doesn’t look up everything about every one of her ingredients doesn’t mean you have to treat Katie this way. Like you have always been so perfect. We all think you should apologize for talking this way to her.
I am sorry Katie that you had to receive this person’s unkind and simply immature comment. We all support you and hope you don’t take this person’s words.
#1 fan says
4th February 2015 at 7:40 pmWhat no said is very ………………. @$! ……………….. i just cant explain it . Its okay katie 🙂
Wow. says
12th March 2015 at 6:01 pm…and you’re not allowed to misuse the word “your” and say “your not allowed to make errors like that.” You should know that the correct word here is “you’re.”
Britt G says
19th June 2015 at 6:38 pmSo many people have already said it, but I too need to take a moment blast “No” for criticizing Katie. If I were you, I would pray for a change of heart. Until then, you should probably stop interacting with other humans.
Maggie says
31st January 2014 at 1:45 pmThere’s an app called Barnivore that let’s you check which alcohols are vegan. Stouts from smaller brands usually are, so you’ll find something else you like.
Sue K says
16th March 2014 at 5:10 pmI was going to suggest that. That’s where I found out that Guinness in the US is no longer vegan either (imported never was) and that Killian’s is. IMO Killian’s tastes better anyway 😉
Suzanna says
11th December 2014 at 1:13 am(I am talking to the person of whom said Katie’s behavior was unacceptable, at the very top.)
Kane says
15th March 2019 at 7:12 pmKatie – Guinness is vegan now: https://www.guinness.com/en-us/frequently-asked-questions/
With St. Patrick’s Day coming up and this recipe in your most recent email, I thought people might want to know that. Maybe time for another update in the article?
Kane says
15th March 2019 at 7:02 pmGuinness is vegan now: https://www.guinness.com/en-us/frequently-asked-questions/
Jess @ The Baguette Diet says
30th January 2014 at 2:42 pmI’ve tried to become a beer fan, tasting beers from all over the world and asking friends for suggestions. While there are few beers that I don’t mind (Cactus Delirium!), in general I still just don’t like it though. At least, not to drink…I love beer reduction sauces and Guinness stew, for example, and I’m really curious to give these brownies a try!
Erin | The Law Student's Wife says
30th January 2014 at 2:47 pmCHEERS from a fellow IPA lover! Laughing at your first beer experience. I’m glad you stuck with it–these brownies look incredible!
Lia @ Luscious Living says
30th January 2014 at 2:48 pmOh my goodness my roomy would love these! She’s a huge Guinness and brownie fan! Put them together, and who knows. I’m forwarding her this recipe!
Alexe @ Keys to the Cucina says
30th January 2014 at 3:06 pmThis recipe looks ah-mazing! I’m a beer girl too haha and will never change, its the best. Can’t wait to try this one out!
Michelle says
30th January 2014 at 3:08 pmThese look delicious! Super fudgy 🙂 I was wondering though if you meant a 9×13 inch pan? I’ve never seen 9×14. I wouldn’t think it would make a huge difference but I was just curious.
Chocolate Covered Katie says
30th January 2014 at 3:57 pmYou are 100% right. Fixed!
Becki @ Bites 'n Brews says
30th January 2014 at 3:10 pmI’m on a sessionable beer kick right now. There’s something nice about going out to lunch and having a 2.8%ABV Berliner Weisse and being able to function after 🙂
D says
30th January 2014 at 3:17 pmCould I use red wine instead of beer? Or maybe strong coffee?
Chocolate Covered Katie says
30th January 2014 at 3:58 pmCoffee sounds really good. As does wine, actually… If you try it before I do, let me know how it goes!
Ashlie says
30th January 2014 at 10:01 pmI’ve used red wine in place of beer in chocolate cake recipes and it is AH-mazing! Haven’t done so with brownies but I’m sure it would work–definitely do it if that’s what you like!
D says
31st January 2014 at 12:47 amUpdate: Red wine made the brownies WAY too boozy. Not recommended.
Also, I would like to submit a big wet raspberry (the gesture, not the fruit) for that bitter, illiterate creature who scolded you about the Guinness. Get a life!
Samantha says
31st January 2014 at 1:22 amThis made me laugh, glad you updated. 🙂
Jody says
30th January 2014 at 3:25 pmYeah! I love, love craft beer! I’m always happy to find a fellow beer lover. I love the hoppy beers but also have been drinking more porters lately. Michigan is completely booming with craft breweries and a new tap room seems to open every month. It’s a fun hobby and the great thing about craft beer, is you sip and enjoy them. Then after one, that’s it, bedtime. One and done!
Heather says
30th January 2014 at 3:26 pmUse a different stout if you care about your brownies being vegan! Guinness contains fish bladders.
Miz says
30th January 2014 at 6:06 pmIn case you missed it, Katie already corrected this mistake from another commenter.
Heather says
30th January 2014 at 6:10 pmIt wasn’t corrected when I left the comment, obviously. So sick of rude people online.
Jenny says
31st January 2014 at 5:00 pmHow was that rude? Miz was just pointing out that it was corrected. She didn’t say it in a disrespectful manner at all!
Stephanie says
15th February 2014 at 3:40 amOh, I saw all the comments but could not fathom what would be included… fish bladders hmmmm… yum? makes me ambivalent about having drank the rest of the can….
Tumbellina82 says
2nd April 2014 at 11:30 amIt doesn’t actually contain fish bladders as an ingredient. It uses isinglass which is produced from fishes swim bladders (that contain air not urine) as a fining agent to clarify the beer. It helps the yeast to flocculate and settle to the bottom and then the beer is tapped of the top or filtered. So the isinglass is retained with the yeast in the bottom of the vat. Hence isinglass fined wined can be drunk by kosher observent Jews even if the fish wasn’t kosher. But there can be minute residues of isinglass in the beer and vegans might be concerned at drinking something that has been produce making use of animal products even if they are not ingesting the animal products.
Kelly J. R. says
30th January 2014 at 3:26 pmI am a huge fan of microbrews but I can’t stand light beer. If my choices were a bud light or no beer at all, I would take no beer at all. My favorite beer is Bourbon Barrel Stout by Central Waters Brewery in Amherst, WI – just a 20 min. drive from our farm. I love tasting new microbrews.
Christina says
30th January 2014 at 3:31 pmI love that beer!!!! I’m in Milwaukee, WI 🙂
EVA says
30th January 2014 at 10:38 pmHey woah, I’m in Kenosha! It’s funny how I’m in the “beer and cheese” state, yet I can’t eat dairy or beer! HA!
Melissa says
31st January 2014 at 2:44 amGo Wisconsin! May have to try this with Luna Coffee Stout 😉
Christina says
30th January 2014 at 3:30 pmHmm, I’ve made Irish Car Bomb cupcakes before, but never tried beer brownies! I’ll certainly give these a shot. Funny that you love IPA…I’m new to that style of beer (which my boyfriend has happily been introducing me to). My first beer experience was at my 3rd birthday party (yes, three years old) – there’s a photo of me holding a can of beer after having tried a sip. Awful! And hilarious. But, my German grandparents introduced me to good beer in my teens, and I sure do enjoy it now!! Yay for beer! (P.S. you should try the app called Untappd – it’s a great way to log & rate the beers you drink, and a good way to keep track of the ones which you dislike).
Raquel Evans says
2nd February 2014 at 1:28 amI’d never heard of Irish Car Bomb cupcakes before, but after a quick google search I am enlightened. I must try these!
Hillary Shemin says
30th January 2014 at 3:32 pmA friend sent me an email recently with your “Oatmeal to go” recipe.. I made it, loved it and have been browsing your blog since. I really enjoy reading your recipes…I shared my pictures of MY Oatmeal to Go bars and your recipe on FB and a bunch of people liked it and tried it, too. This recipe sounds really fun.. Unfortunately I’m really watching my calories right now so have to be careful how much baking I do., but I still love reading your fun posts, love your pictures and will keep coming back. Keep it up! ~Hillary @ PhotosByHillary
Swiftie22 says
30th January 2014 at 3:34 pmThese look really good! I’m planning on making them with milk (I’m only 13). But I was wondering… is there anything I can use to sub the flaxmeal? An egg maybe? (I’m not vegan).
Thanks in advance. 🙂
Chocolate Covered Katie says
30th January 2014 at 4:00 pmSorry, I’ve not tried it so I really can’t say.
Eve says
30th January 2014 at 8:11 pmSwiftie, flaxmeal is really easy to find in every grocery store these days. It’s good for you and won’t effect the flavor of the recipe at all. Good for you for baking healthy at 13! Do your parents mind that you are baking “beer brownies”? Keep up the great blogging Katie! WE LOVE YOU!!!! Eve
Suzette says
1st February 2014 at 11:17 amSwiftie did say in her post that she would be using milk in place of beer due to her age. 🙂
Darla says
30th January 2014 at 9:14 pmWould also love a substitute if anyone has ideas. Cannot eat flax. Thanks!
karen says
30th January 2014 at 10:24 pmI would think anything you can use for an egg allergy, if you don’t want to use egg. We don’t use flax because I don’t have a desire to buy it for the little times I need an egg substitute.
Since she mentioned it would crumble, I assume it is used as a binder, so you could use 1/2 mashed banana or 1/4 cup applesauce. There is also a gelatin replacement but of course not vegan. Hope that helps.
I am saving this for latter, though, it sounds really really good!
karen says
30th January 2014 at 10:36 pmI wanted to add more, since the recipe calls for 2 tbsp, usually 1 egg = 1 tbsp of flax, so you might want to double the applesauce or banana, or even use 2 eggs.
Kara says
31st January 2014 at 8:55 pmI think I read somewhere that you can use ground up chia seeds instead. Good luck! Swiftie, I glad to see another teen baker :). I just buy flax seeds and then grind them in a coffee grinder.
Amber says
30th January 2014 at 9:24 pmOne egg would almost certainly work in place of the flaxseed.
Swiftie22 says
2nd February 2014 at 1:46 pmThanks to everyone who replied! I think I’m going to try karen’s idea of using mashed banana. And Eve, yes I know flax is good for you, I just didn’t want to use it because I can’t seem to find it where I live, and even if I did, I don’t think I’d use it too often, but thanks anyways. 🙂
Jules @ WolfItDown says
30th January 2014 at 3:40 pmThese sound great!
I remember my first encounter with beer too, needless to say… long story short – I was not impressed, hah! But then, when I got older, and I tried Newcastle Brown, it reminded me of that dark ale my dad had let me try some of years and years ago, and now it’s my favourite 😛 I can imagine adding a little bit of ale to the batter will give it quite a round flavour, might even work with Newkie Brown if I’m lucky! x J
Annette says
30th January 2014 at 3:47 pmThat is too funny!
I’m not much of a poster or even some type of social network. The reason why I posted because you asked quote “Beer, do you love it or hate it?” While I happen to hate it, I just don’t care for the taste at all.
For me it happened to other way around tried it in HS for the first time and after that when we would ditch we would buy 40 ouncers and party up at someone’s house now that was only for 1-2 years of HS. After that and Now I can’t stand it! that was 35 years ago, I think only within the last year or so I’ve tried this new mix of wine and beer combo that was ok but I would never have a beer again… LOL
Thanks for the post (I really enjoyed your story) and the recipe..
Annette
Ceara @ Ceara's Kitchen says
30th January 2014 at 3:59 pmLove the idea of a Beer brownie – two of my favourite things together! Living in Belgium, I love all the “craft” beers they have here!! My favourite would be a good wit beer like Hoegaarden – I’m definitively not a Guinness girl!
Noora says
30th January 2014 at 4:11 pmBeer is good sometimes. Espeacially after sauna. I like wine and cider more though 🙂
Dawn says
30th January 2014 at 4:20 pmI was a beer water girl in college and 30+ years later, I’m still a beer water girl.
Wine? That’s a whole different story!
Avra-Sha Faohla says
30th January 2014 at 4:34 pmOh, gosh, I’ve tasted beer twice in my life, and both times I couldn’t stand it. I’m a real girl; my alcohol of choice is a sweet red wine, or a Moscato. Other than wine, I have also tasted and enjoyed chocolate or coffee liqueur (the Starbucks one is the one I tasted–it’s dairy-free, so it’s likely vegan!), but only in very small amounts.
What was the first beer that you actually liked?
Chocolate Covered Katie says
30th January 2014 at 9:20 pmI don’t actually remember 🙁
Kelly @ hidden fruits and veggies says
30th January 2014 at 4:37 pmI LOVE beer and any time you can add beer to something, it always comes out even better.
P.S. Don’t beat yourself up about not knowing that Guinness wasn’t vegan (unlike one angry comment I just read) — I feel like it’s practically impossible to know the status of literally every food in the world, especially when not every business freely gives that sort of information and the recipes can change without notice (and be different between geographies).
Lisa @bitesforbabies says
30th January 2014 at 4:37 pmThese look so fudgy and delicious! I love the ingredients that you used! I recently made some brownies with spinach in them but I might try substituting some ingredients with yours just to see how they turn out!
tiffany says
30th January 2014 at 4:51 pmHi Katie!
I am going to Tokyo next month for week vacation and I know you lived there for some time. Do you have any suggestions of things to do? I have already found a good list of vegan restaurants so I am good on the food recommendations but I would love to know if there are one or two “must see” or “must do” things you know of.
Thanks so much!
Chocolate Covered Katie says
30th January 2014 at 9:21 pmTo be honest, it’s been 10 years since I was last there so I’m probably not the best person to ask. But have fun!!
Alice says
3rd February 2014 at 11:27 pmI live in Tokyo now! I’ll recommend Harajuku (Takeshita Doori) and Shibuya 109 for shopping, Daikanyama or Ebisu for an elegant, classy feel, Roppongi hills Observational tower to see the whole city and once AND go to a art museum if interested, Shinjuku for host clubs, Shibuya’s “Lock Up” prison themed-restaurant, Asakusa for temples, and Shimokitazawa for vintage/recycle shops and funky college kids and art galleries.
Hollie says
30th January 2014 at 4:52 pmI’ve made Guinness brownies before and I can honestly say they are one of the absolute best. It’s the best beer.
Mariel says
30th January 2014 at 5:15 pmI love, love, love beer! I hate IPA’s though. I’m definitely a fan of stout’s. I’ve been craving them a lot lately which is problematic because I’m pregnant. Argh! I’ll have to do a little more research but I think I could make these still! Guinness has a low ABV and most of the alcohol will burn off anyways. If I do decide to make these maybe I’ll bring them to a Superbowl party on Sunday so my cravings will be satisfied but I won’t eat the whole dang pan! Lol.
Jamie says
30th January 2014 at 5:35 pmI was just telling someone that my hesitation with blogging is that random people can be so rude, and while you can *generally* ignore that crap, it still creeps into your mind as something you will have read and who needs that? But I’m so very glad you put up with it and we can benefit from your recipes. I make your black bean brownies all. the. time. My daughter calls them the best brownies, ever, and she’s had full sugar/fat/non-vegan ones.
I don’t expect you to know this answer, I’m just talking it out: do you think subbing almond flour for the flour would work, in general? I’ve started making things with almond flour here and there, to cut carbs and a little gluten (I want to cut carbs more than the desire to cut gluten, so a GF flour doesn’t work for that want). I’m totally willing to make these with AP as 1c is not much when you look at the per serving 🙂
Also, you do drink Sierra Nevada if you are an IPA person, yes? Cuz it’s the yum. No idea of it’s vegan status because, well, I’m not vegan 🙂 But Sierra Nevada = happiness.
Chocolate Covered Katie says
30th January 2014 at 9:23 pmLove Sierra Nevada (although Dogfish Head is my favorite). Unfortunately I’m not sure about your almond flour question though. But you can always make my coconut flour brownies instead!
Charlie says
30th January 2014 at 6:02 pmJust for your knowledge, it’s not just Guinness beer that’s not vegan, but many beers. When beer is filtered an agent is added to bind to particles that then get flushed out. There’s plastic, moss and fish stomach (isinglass) based ones. What one a beer uses won’t usually be disclosed, unless the beer is making a point to be a vegan beer.
Sacia says
30th January 2014 at 9:04 pmPlastic! Gross!
Miz says
30th January 2014 at 6:09 pmHere’s a great list of vegan beers for people all over the world! http://www.barnivore.com/beer/
I had no idea that Guinness wasn’t vegan either, and as someone with food allergies, that is very disconcerting. What if someone with fish allergies were to drink it? Most would associate maybe a fryer/pan at a restaurant or sauces in Chinese food as possibly containing fish, but beer would have been one of my last guesses. Thank you Katie and everyone else for making us aware of it!
lou says
30th January 2014 at 6:24 pmwow, with this kind of thinking NOTHING is vegan! lol! for the record, guiness does NOT even CONTAIN fish bladders, they are only used in the processing. in other words, the actual beer that you would be drinking contains NO animal product. that said, “animal products” in one form or another are used to a degree in the processing of so many things, i have no idea how anything is considered “vegan” by vegans.
people should really start switching to the term “plant-based” (as many are already trying to do), in order to separate the non-obsessive plant food (no meat, fish, fowl, eggs, or dairy products) diet (focused on health), from the political “vegan” diet, which gets hung up on things like honey, altoids, and guiness. ya’in’t helpin nobody by screaming about honey… you’re just making veganism look psychotic.
Gigi says
30th January 2014 at 6:57 pmI totally agree with your philosophy! I think by making “vegan” look like a crazy strict diet most people think it is, we’re scaring away people who might want to try it out. When I first went vegan, I really stressed out about the whole processed sugar thing and almost gave up all together, but then eventually I just realized that if I couldn’t eat an Oreo once a month, I might as well just commit myself to the looney bin. For me, being vegan is more about asking waiters to hold the cheese on sandwiches and having a good mental excuse to pass up on that plate of cookies than sweating about whether a few beers here or there MIGHT have a fish-by-products in them.
Emily says
30th January 2014 at 7:41 pmBut oreos are vegan… I think it’s a matter of degree. When people are first starting out, I give them a lot of leeway and don’t exhaustively list for them all the things that aren’t vegan. But as I’ve been vegan longer and longer, I do discover those things and try to cut them out. I’m not perfect on wine, I’m sure, because Barnivore doesn’t have all brands listed and sometimes I’m out at a bar and can’t really ask to inspect their entire cabinet. But when I buy my own at the store, I do check.
Gigi says
30th January 2014 at 7:54 pmNOPE! Oreos MIGHT be vegan. It depends on what kind of refined sugar is in them and varies from package to package (http://www.isitvegan.com/2011/06/02/are-oreos-vegan/l). It’s stuff like this and alcohol I don’t get hung up on though. Surprisingly, you’re one of the only people I’ve personally heard that got more strict instead of less so. I actually have a cousin that started veganism at about the same time as me, and we both feel happier and healthier (especially mentally :]) being a little more flexible.
Emily says
30th January 2014 at 9:27 pmBut they’re on PETA’s accidentally vegan food list… 🙁
Julie says
30th January 2014 at 6:45 pmMmm, these look wonderful!!! BTW, I made your banana doughnuts this morning. I always make them as mini muffins to keep things moving along nice and fast. They’re awesome and I used up a bunch of bananas that had ripened past their prime.
I never really liked beer until I got pregnant. Yes, pregnant. I knew I had a little boy in there when I started craving beer and hot sauce like nobody’s business. It was a strange thing for a vegetarian (at the time, now vegan) to want hot sauce since I didn’t eat much of it. Well, my awesome husband knew the non alcoholic beer world well so, knowing I hate yellow bitter beers, he introduced me to n/a Kaliber which is soooooo good!! I drank gallons of that while pregnant, some days it was the only thing that would quench my thirst. I still really like it now that I can drink again and I like that without alcohol, I can really chug it down if I want to. A crisp cold beer after a long day out working in the garden is the absolute best thing on a hot summer day. As for the hot sauce … I ate that straight up, with a spoon. Pregnancy is weird.
Stephanie says
30th January 2014 at 6:55 pmI’m sure that if you dig a bit there are plenty of stouts and porters you can find that are made locally and are vegan in your local stores that are comparable to Guinness. I am going to try and find one and give this recipe a try!
Veronica says
30th January 2014 at 7:19 pmSo do we chill these before eating?
Chocolate Covered Katie says
30th January 2014 at 9:24 pmYes it’s a good idea to refrigerate overnight.
Jess @ Keeping It Real Food says
30th January 2014 at 7:30 pmI’ve tried to like beer, but it’s always been hard for me to commit. For some reason, it makes me feel drunker faster than other types of alcohol. That said, occasionally I do enjoy a fruity lambic beer or a really dark porter or stout. Even then, though, I can barely finish half. Give me a glass of wine, though, and it’ll be gone embarrassingly quick…
Ayaka says
30th January 2014 at 7:51 pmYour story made me laugh… Yes, it used to be pretty easy to get alcohol or cigarette in Japan even when you are under age. (I am close to your age and grew up in Japan) I think you cannot get them that easily anymore though 😉
Erin says
30th January 2014 at 8:02 pmThese look AMAZING! I used to drink beer like you stated, just to get drunk in college…yikes. Beer was never a favorite of mine until I started trying different craft beers. It’s a totally different world! I love so many- usually I’m a stout person (oatmeal, coffee or chocolate stout!). I also love Brooklyn Brewery beers, especially their pennant ale.
Michelle @ Esculent Dreams says
30th January 2014 at 3:55 pmOh this is so interesting. I usually HATE (i.e. ABSOLUTELY ABHOR) beer but I can see how it would be great for brownies! Loved the story as well haha!
Jamie @ Dishing Out Health says
30th January 2014 at 9:19 pmOh my gosh these look heavenly! I’m not a fan of Guinness myself, however have loved it in recipes. It’s rich bold flavor does wonders!
Healthy and Homemade says
30th January 2014 at 9:36 pmOh my word! I cannot wait to make these for my hubby, he loves beer 🙂
Jackie Rybeck says
30th January 2014 at 9:41 pmI have always disliked the taste of beer, but if it’s a CCK recipe I gotta try it…These look almost between a brownie and a piece of fudge..yum.
No idea why I dislike beer, but! My favorite rib recipe is made with cooking the ribs in beer and liquid smoke before baking or grilling with BBQ sauce…
And don’t let rude people stop your great posts and blogging. Vegans know what they can and can’t eat, and she had no reason to be rude about it. You were gracious in apologizing and for even allowing her post….
Valerie says
30th January 2014 at 5:00 pmThese look incredible! My roommie and I are going to make these with the season Real Ale Coffee Porter… because coffee + chocolate = yum.
I remember how sad I was when I first discovered that Guinness was not vegan, so I know how you feel right now. And I’m sorry for your loss.
When faced with comment meanies, just remember these wise words from Kevin Gnapoor (Mean Girls): “Don’t let the haters stop you from doing your thang.”
Santana says
30th January 2014 at 10:14 pm1- these sound amazing! I can’t wait to try them 🙂
2- we use almond flour in our house. Is there a way to sub the AP flour for almond? (Or coconut?)
becauseHeloves! says
31st January 2014 at 2:54 amI know she has coconut flour brownies using both kale and zucchinni (I probably did not spell that right!)
Judy Gray says
30th January 2014 at 10:15 pmWow! We all make mistakes… I am eager to try this recipe!!!!
EVA says
30th January 2014 at 10:26 pmTHANK YOU SO MUCH FOR INCLUDING A NON-BEER OPTION!
Now I just need to invest in a cheap tub o’cocoa.
I’ve never tried beer (being only 18, a GOOD 18 year old) but I doubt I’d like it. I can’t drink anything but water due to my stomach issues and it not sitting well. Plus, I’m gluten-free, so I bet all the decent tasting beers are the ones with the gluten!
Ellen says
30th January 2014 at 10:45 pmI wish I liked beer! I’d be so much cooler, haha. I’m more of a wine girl though. That being said I adore beer bread so I bet these brownies are great!
Jyo says
30th January 2014 at 11:48 pmMouth watering …..even though I don’t drink beer I am going to make this for my hubby
Let’s see if I can resist from tasting the beer then 🙂
Katie I notice you use spelt flour in almost all…I found it in whole foods the other day
But it’s very pricey..I am wondering where are you buying it from?? Any better place to but it from??
Chocolate Covered Katie says
2nd February 2014 at 4:31 pmI get mine from Whole Foods, but I’m sure you can also find it online.
FamilyOnABudget says
31st January 2014 at 12:27 amI am an IPA and Stout girl myself. I can’t wait to make these. I don’t have Guinness on hand but I do have some really good stouts that might work with adjustments. If you want a top notice chocolate stout try Southern Tier Choklat Stout Imperial Chocolate Stout. (it is on the vegan list reference above.) This stout is a dark chocolate treat with or without the brownie.
Andypandy says
31st January 2014 at 12:32 amThanks for all your hard work and great recipes Katie.
Emma says
31st January 2014 at 12:40 amHey Katie! Though I am not vegan, I love your recipes and I also happen to LOVE stout. One of my favorites is made by Founders Brewing. I just looked at their website and they state all their beers, with a couple exceptions (breakfast stout), are vegan. I bet this recipe would be great with either their oatmeal or imperial stout! Also, ignore the nasty comments, you are a gem!
Sarah H says
31st January 2014 at 1:41 amI love beer. I had always thought I preferred pale beers, but recently I’ve had some VERY tasty dark beers and I think I’m converted! A local brewery makes an award winning peanut butter cup coffee porter. It is amazing.
Carley @ Optimistic Health says
31st January 2014 at 2:23 amGuinness in brownies. Done!
Natalie says
31st January 2014 at 2:50 amYou can also buy chocolate stout which does taste like chocolate – would probably be really nice in this recipe too – not sure if it is vegan or not?
Chocolate Covered Katie says
2nd February 2014 at 4:32 pmLOVE chocolate stout 🙂
Kim says
31st January 2014 at 3:35 amThanks for this recipe! My son has an egg allergy and it’s not easy to find a good brownie recipe (The ones I’ve tried have been very cakey and crumbly.) i’m going to skip the beer and use milk instead plus I saw that someone mentioned using almond meal as a substitute for some of the regular flour. I’ve been doing this in many of my egg-free recipes and it adds so much flavor and moisture. (I use Bob’s brand and directions for flour replacement are on the package.) Another option is to use sour cream or plain yogurt instead of egg or flax (not vegan, I know…but I’m just going with egg allergies here.) Anyhoo – can’t wait to try these and thanks for listing all of the options!
Ashley says
31st January 2014 at 3:50 amI love Guiness and this Ichthysaur (Icky) IPA. Delicious!
Dana says
31st January 2014 at 5:01 amI love anything with Guinness. Will definitely need to try these soon. Maybe there is a homebrew you could make that would be vegan?
Cristina says
31st January 2014 at 4:49 amMay I suggest using Trader Joe’s Stockyard Oatmeal Stout! It is very yummy and vegan!
Kaila @healthyhelperblog! says
31st January 2014 at 12:24 amSuch an interested recipe! Never would have thought of using beer in a brownie recipe! Way to stay creative!
Morgan says
31st January 2014 at 6:02 amOh my golly. These look wonderfully delightful! Thank you for sharing this recipe, and I appreciate your creativity with “strange” things to put in brownies. Very glad VA has so many local breweries too! I have made chocolate cakes and brownies with coffee and red wine as substitutes. They are both delicious, but for the red wine, it might be a good thing if you like it. Or don’t mind the taste. :]
Rachel Herriott says
31st January 2014 at 10:10 amHi Katie. I’m a vegan but that was an easy mistake to make. I love you anyway 😉 Keep up the fantastic job. You’re awesome and helped me see that vegan is best. Take care and ignore the haters xx
Wendy says
31st January 2014 at 11:34 amI’m from Australia, so don’t know what an IPA beer is? But I like to mix a light beer with lemonade for a refreshing Shandy. 🙂
Tumbellina82 says
2nd April 2014 at 11:51 amIndia Pale Ale. A light hoppy style of beer: Cooper’s pale, 150 lashes, Fat Yak.
D says
31st January 2014 at 12:56 pmHey Katie! Sorry about the recipe, I know you must always be excited to introduce another totally original idea on your site. I can’t wait to see more breakfast recipes in the future! I was wondering if you’ve tried any chocolate beers before, it seems right up your alley :). I’m not sure if it’s vegan, but my mom drinks Brooklyn Brewrey Chocolate Stout. She loves it!
D says
31st January 2014 at 12:58 pmOops, should be “brewery”.
Chocolate Covered Katie says
2nd February 2014 at 4:33 pmI will have to look out for it!