All About Gluten-Free Beers

Here’s pretty much every GF conversation I’ve ever had as a bartender:

[Scene opens at a busy bar with a crowd jockeying for position to order]
Her: “What do you have that’s gluten free? I have a severe allergy”
Me: “We have these wines, these ciders, this gluten free beer, any hard liquor. Also, we have this gluten-reduced beer, this cider, and this kombucha beer on draft, but if you have Celiac you might not want to chance cross-contamination…”
Her: “*sighs* I guess I’ll just have a Miller Light!”
Me: “That is 100% NOT gluten free.”
Her: “No, it’s okay. I drink this all the time.”
Me: “If you really are Celiac this will kill you. *stares blankly* Four dollars.”

[end scene]

…and I will ALWAYS have that conversation, because if ANYONE EVER comes in talking about a food allergy YOU SHOULD NEVER ASSUME THEY’RE NOT SINCERE!!! If you don’t know an answer, don’t guess. Find it out or let them know you’re unsure. You don’t want to fucking kill someone because a bunch of basic fucks read some stupid article on the interwebs.

Here’s the basics if you don’t want to read the whole article (but you should): a true GF beer doesn’t ever contain gluten (ie: sorgum/kombucha). A gluten-reduced beer (ie:Two Brothers Prairie Path) is a regular beer that has gluten extracted through the clarification process. Those SHOULD be fine, but if someone has a life-or-death allergy I’d avoid it. Also, if it is that serious I’d avoid using glassware or sitting near the beer taps due to risk of cross-contamination.

Wait, there’s gluten in beer?

Yep, there sure is. Beer is made with barley and sometimes wheat, both of which contain gluten.

We are living in a time when craft beer is so popular it seems like there’s a brewery on a corner in every city in the U.S. People everywhere love drinking beer! And the experience is two-fold: beer tastes good and breweries are great hangout spots. Most of them are even family-friendly, so they’re a great place to spend an afternoon. But what do you do if you or your spouse is unable to drink beer due to a gluten sensitivity or Celiac disease? Fortunately, there are some options. Many breweries make a gluten free or gluten reduced beer. Let’s explore details about both gluten free and gluten reduced beer and what you can do if that pesky substance doesn’t agree with you or your loved ones.

Did you know that all hard liquor is gluten free? Yep. The distillation process gets rid of all that, so unless it is added back in as an adjunct or someone decided to make chunky-style gin, you’re good.

What are the beer options for people who are sensitive to gluten?

If they want to drink beer (rather than say, wine or cider), some breweries are now making gluten free or gluten reduced beer options. Depending on how sensitive they are, one or the other should be stomach-able.

A true GF beer doesn’t ever contain gluten (ie: sorgum/kombucha). A gluten-reduced beer (ie:Two Brothers Prairie Path) is a regular beer that has gluten extracted through the clarification process. Those SHOULD be fine, but if someone has a life-or-death allergy, I’d avoid it.

How is gluten free beer made?

Beer that is 100% gluten free is brewed with 100% gluten free ingredients (it can only be labeled as gluten free if this is the case). Conventional beer is brewed with barley (hello, gluten!); gluten free replacements might be millet, rice, sorghum, buckwheat or corn. Gluten free beer is safe for people with gluten intolerance and Celiac disease to drink, however, many beer lovers don’t love the taste of these products and they often cost more than normal beers.

How is gluten reduced beer made?

Gluten reduced beer is brewed with ingredients that contain gluten (barley and/or wheat), but then the gluten content is reduced using an enzyme, Brewers Clarex.

Gluten-Free Processes

What is Brewers Clarex?

Brewers Clarex is an enzyme added to beer by brewers that “breaks up the gluten,” or degrades the epitopes so that the gluten content is reduced. This does not make the beer gluten free, but it lowers the gluten content to less than 20 parts per million (ppm). Beers that have trace amounts of gluten don’t bother some people with sensitivities, however, people who are very sensitive and have Celiac disease may still have an adverse reaction to gluten reduced beer. Individual reactions depend on the person and which beer they consume.

How much gluten is in conventional beer?

Many beers only have trace amounts (often less than 20ppm) of gluten, even without using the enzyme. The amount of gluten in beer depends on the style of brewing, the type of grain used and other factors such as the malting, mashing and lautering process. Light, unhazy beers like lagers usually have low gluten, but it’s not always easy to know the composition of the liquid by just reading the name (or the label). Gluten isn’t an ingredient that you’ll find on most beer labels. If someone is sensitive to it, they may want to steer toward a beer that’s marketed as gluten reduced, just to be safe.

Who makes gluten free beer?

Many breweries make a gluten reduced option in the same facility where they brew conventional beer. For people who need their beer to be gluten free due to Celiac disease, drinking beer that’s made in a 100% gluten free facility is ideal. These facilities are free of contaminants and cross-contamination from gluten. There are 12 dedicated gluten free breweries in the U.S.

Wait, did you say that ALL hard liquor is gluten free?

Well, yes, but no. All booze made from grain loses any trace of gluten in the distillation process, but it can be added back in as an adjunct/flavoring agent, so be sure to look a bit closer at the label before going tonsil deep on that bottle of chunky-style gin.

If you go into a bar saying “Thirsty Bastards told me I’m alllll gooooood!” you might be asking for trouble. Our panel of experts with mild Celiac disease has had good results with bourbon lately, but it’s best to find out what you can and cannot tolerate and order from your short list at the bar.

What about ginger beer, is that gluten free?

Traditional ginger beer is a non-alcoholic ginger-flavored soft drink. It’s spicier and less carbonated than ginger ale. With the rise of the craft beer culture, ginger beer has increased in popularity and some breweries have dabbled in making it. When made in a brewery, there’s a different process and additional ingredients used (compared to the soft drink version).

Each brand of ginger beer is a little different. Some are clear, some are cloudy. Some are brewed with champagne yeast and some are finished with force carbonation. Though many mainstream ginger beers are 100% gluten free, if yeast is used to make the ginger beer, it might be a red flag. People who have sensitivity to gluten should read the label before drinking too many of these “beers” to determine if it will cause a reaction.

Can You Recommend Some GF Beers?

So glad you asked. If you go to Untappd, you’ll find a whole ton of sours, “dessert beers”, and heavily-fruited beverages that barely qualify as beers in our opinion. If it has the word “slushie” in the name, just get a fucking slushie and add vodka FFS. Any brewery worth its salt should be able to craft a gluten-free beer that tastes like one without trying to overcompensate with sweet garbage.

Craig’s wife has Celiac, so she is our resident guinea pig for gluten-free beers to recommend. Here’s a few standouts.

Damm Daura GF Lager

Lager | 2.95 on Untappd

I’m actually really surprised this isn’t rated higher than it is. Damm is on the sweet side and, to my palette, tastes malty. I ordered one to try it while we were traveling so my wife could taste it. She actually stole the bottle from me for the rest of the meal and I had to order a replacement.

The mouthfeel is as smooth as a baby’s bottom, thanks to the minuscule bubbles that dance on your tongue. Daura is like a breath of fresh air on a summer’s day, bursting with zesty zinginess that’ll make your taste buds do the tango. And oh boy, the finish! It’s like a bitter breakup that just won’t quit, lingering on your palate like an overzealous ex. Cheers to a beer that’s smooth, fresh, and bitter in all the right ways!

We’ve been able to find Daura at our local Binny’s here in the Chicago area.

Sapwood Drink It Down Ale

English Brown | 4.02 on Untappd

Sapwood is absolutely KILLING it with their gluten-reduced offerings. This traditional English Brown is not only a solid representative of the style but crafted to appeal to any pallete – intolerant or otherwise. If you don’t live in the Columbia, MD are, they are regularly featured on Tavour which is how they landed in my fridge. More about how Tavour works here.

Drinker Todd Belt says, “Gorgeous Ænglish Browne Ale. Smooth, nutty, malty, and great depth. A real winner! (unlike your favourite sports team)”

Green’s Endeavor GF Belgian Dubbel

Dubbel | 3.24 on Untappd

I know what you’re thinking – don’t say it. “Isn’t ‘Endeavor’ the name of the Micronaut’s ship in the Marvel comics?” to which we say, “Points to you, nerd.”

Prepare your taste buds for a wild adventure as you embark on a whimsical journey through the realms of flavor. Delight in the mischievous dance of dark-sugar and toffee notes, accompanied by an enchanting Belgian yeast bouquet. This beer shall tickle your fancy and leave your taste buds giggling with delight! So hop on the gluten-free train and experience the eccentricity of Green’s Endeavour Dubbel – the beer that’ll have you laughing all the way to Flavor Town™!

I first encountered Green’s Endeavor at my local beer bar and larger liquor outlets.

Glutenberg Rousse

Red Ale | 3.06 on Untappd

“Proudly echoing British brown ales, the Glutenberg Red stands out by the great complexity of its creation and taste. Brewed using two types of chestnuts, each requiring a specific roasting method, this unctuous beer with a roasted nut fragrance reveals unique flavours of caramel and coffee.”

Glutenberg has been making a name for itself, not just in its name, but also by consistently being a prominent presence on store shelves whenever you’re in search of a GF beer. These guys have three top-notch styles, and believe me, they’re so solid it’s like they’re made of actual rocks! So, if you’re one of those unlucky souls with a gluten intolerance, fear not! It’s reassuring to know that people with intolerances have decent options available at numerous locations.

I picked up a “Discovery Pack” which includes one each of their Blonde, Red, Pale Ale, and White Ale. What a great way to sample their offerings!

I’m pretty sure my local grocery carries Glutenberg as well as several restaurants.

Mikerphone Smuggler’s Song GF Sour

Sour | 3.98 on Untappd

This is a seasonal sour from one of our local favorite breweries. It’s definitely tough to come by, but if smoothie sours are you jam, it’s well worth hunting down.

Sapwood Oak-Aged Crescent Hill

Vienna Lager | 3.24 on Untappd

I’m going to go on the record and say that, of all the beers on this list, this one has the most “crossover” appeal. Regardless of your dietary intolerances, this is a rock solid Vienna lager.

Brasserie de Brunehaut Triple

Belgian Trippel | 3.24 on Untappd

This brew has a seriously coppery vibe going on, like it’s been hanging out in an antique shop or basking in some fancy lighting. And let me tell ya, that head is hangin’ on for dear life!

But let’s get to the real showstopper: the taste. Despite the booze factor, this brew brings the freshness, baby! And then it hits you with that boldness, like it’s flexing its muscles and saying “I’m here to stay!” It’s full-bodied, smooth, and oh so satisfying. But don’t worry, it doesn’t go overboard with the sweetness or caramel nonsense. This beer knows how to keep it classy.

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We sincerely hope this post keeps you or your drinking buddies out of Cidertown or Gluten-Free Vodkaville or whatever safe space you’ve relegated yourselves to. Of course, we here at TB encourage beer exploration. Share your beers and try new stuff even if you aren’t allergic. That’s what tasting glasses are for!

Check out this list for the best gluten free beers recommended by Urban Tastebud.