Makes 2 loaves * 2 packages active dry yeast * 4 tablespoons granulated or brown sugar * 1/2 cup lukewarm milk * 1 cup (3/4 bottle) beer, at room temperature * 6 cups flour * 1 tablespoon kosher or sea salt * unsalted butter, cut into small pieces * 4 eggs * 2 teaspoons olive oil 1. In a large mixing bowl, sprinkle the yeast and sugar over the milk, stir, and let sit for 10 minutes to dissolve. Add the beer and 2 cups of the flour and mix thoroughly to form a sponge. Cover the bowl with a damp towel or plastic wrap, and let the sponge rise in a warm place until it doubles in volume, about 1 hour. 2. Put 3 cups of flour and the salt and butter in the bowl of a mixer, and using the paddle attachment, cut the butter in as you would for a pie dough. Change to a dough hook, add the sponge and eggs, and mix thoroughly, stopping occasionally to remove dough from the hook. Knead in as much of the remaining flour as necessary to keep dough satiny. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured smooth surface and knead for 5 to 10 minutes, until satiny and slightly resilient to the touch. 3. Lightly brush a bowl with 1 teaspoon olive oil. Add the dough and rotate it to coat it with oil. Cover the bowl with a damp towel or plastic wrap, and let the dough rise in a warm place until it doubles in volume, about 1 hour. Punch the dough down. 4. Lightly brush two 9 x 5-inch loaf pans with the remaining oil. Roll the dough into loaves and place them in the pans. Cover loosely with a damp towel or plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place for about 45 minutes to I hour, until the loaves have doubled in size. 5. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees about 30 minutes before baking. Bake the loaves for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the bottom of the loaves sound hollow when tapped lightly.
