Burton condemned Sunderland to their first League One defeat of the season in an enthralling encounter at the Pirelli Stadium.
Albion, who led 2-0 at half-time, held off a spirited second-half fightback to claim a third successive home league win of the season.
Jamie Allen bagged his first home goal as a Burton player following some excellent approach play down the right.
Lucas Akins and Liam Boyce worked an opportunity for Marvin Sordell to get to the byline and fire in a low cross that deflected nicely into the path of the former Rochdale man to fire home.
Albion's second came straight off the training ground as David Templeton's free-kick picked out Kyle McFadzean on the penalty spot for the centre-back to steer a powerful header beyond ex-Brewers goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin.
McLaughlin produced an outstanding save at the start of the second half to deny Stephen Quinn's thunderous drive before Sunderland pulled one back.
Substitute Chris Maguire fired in a superb curling effort from 25 yards to halve the deficit nine minutes after the restart but despite sustained pressure from the away side, Burton held on.
Match report supplied by the Press Association.
