Beer and Oat Bread

A Canadian Living Recipe, so it's tested till it's perfect . From the Kingston Brewing Company, Kingston, Ontario. 2 rising times not included.

• Ready In: 1 hr
• Yields: 2 loaves

Ingredients

• 4  cups  large-flake rolled oats (not instant)
• 5  cups flour (approximately)
• 1 1⁄2 cups warm water
• 2  tablespoons active dry yeast
• 1 (12 ounce) bottle  pale ale or 1 (12 ounce) bottle  brown ale
• 1⁄2 cup skim milk powder
• 1⁄2 cup  packed brown sugar
• 1  tablespoon salt

Directions

1. Set aside ¼ cup of the oats for the topping; in food processor, grind 2 cups of the remaining oats until fine; set aside.
2. Sprinkle remaining oats evenly over rimmed baking sheet; toast in 350F oven for 20 minutes, stirring once; let cool slightly.
3. Meanwhile, in small bowl, whisk together 1 cup of the flour, the warm water and the yeast; let stand until frothy, about 15 minutes.
4. In large bowl, whisk together the ale, skim milk powder, sugar and salt; whisk in yeast mixture; stir in 3 cups of the remaining flour and the ground and toasted oats; stir in enough of the remaining flour to make a slightly sticky dough; turn out onto lightly floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes, adding more of the remaining flour as necessary to prevent sticking; place in greased bowl, turning to grease all over; cover with plastic wrap; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in bulk, 1 to 1 ½ hours.
5. Punch dough down; cut in half; pat each half into 11- x 8-inch (28 x 20 cm) rectangle; starting at narrow end, roll up into cylinder; pinch along bottom to smooth and seal; fit into 2 greased 8- x 4-inch (1,5L) loaf pans; cover and let rise until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.
6. Brush loaves lightly with water; sprinkle with reserved oats.
7. Bake in centre of preheated 375F (190C) oven until golden and loaves sound hollow when tapped on bottom, about 40 minutes.