Gluten Free Beers
What beer brands are gluten free? If you are looking for some Gluten Free Beer brands this post will cover some of the best gluten free beer brands available in the U.S. I will also share my favorite brands with you!
Is Beer Gluten Free?
Traditional beer is not gluten-free due to gluten containing grains.
Why Traditional Beer is Not Gluten-Free
Ingredients:
Traditional beer is made from barley, wheat, or rye. These grains contain gluten, so this why anyone with celiac or a gluten allergy/intolerance must avoid avoid traditional beer.
Brewing Process:
During the brewing process, the gluten proteins from the grains are not fully broken down, meaning the final product contains gluten.
How to Make Beer Gluten-Free
Using Gluten-Free Grains:
Sorghum: Often used as a primary ingredient in gluten-free beers, it provides a similar flavor profile to traditional beers.
Rice: Commonly used, especially in lighter beers, to replace barley.
Buckwheat: Despite its name, buckwheat is gluten-free and adds a unique flavor to beers.
Corn: Another gluten-free grain that is often used, especially in mass-produced beers.
Millet: An ancient grain that is gluten-free and used by some brewers to create a more traditional beer flavor.
Enzyme Treatment:
- Some brewers use an enzyme called Brewers Clarex during the brewing process. This enzyme breaks down gluten proteins into smaller fragments, which may reduce the gluten content to below 20 parts per million (ppm), the FDA standard for gluten-free labeling.
Dedicated Facilities:
- To prevent cross-contamination, some gluten-free beer brands are brewed in dedicated gluten-free facilities. This ensures that no gluten-containing grains are processed in the same environment.
Tips for Choosing Gluten-Free Beer Brands
Certification:
- Look for beers that are certified gluten-free by trusted organizations. This ensures that the beer has been tested and meets the standards for gluten-free products.
- Be sure to check the ingredients if you have additional allergies/intolerances. If you can’t find the ingredient list then contact the company directly. Many of these companies are founded due to necessity and they understand the difficulties of having Celiac/allergies.
Gluten Free Beer Brands
Holidaily Brewing Company
Holidaily Brewing Company, based in Golden, Colorado, is a 100% dedicated gluten-free brewery. It was founded by Karen Hertz, who, after surviving cancer twice, was advised to follow a gluten-free diet. Unable to find satisfying gluten-free beer options, she decided to create her own. As of this publication Holidaily is the only gluten-free brewery in the U.S. that woman founded and owned.
Brewing Process
Holidaily uses only gluten-free ingredients and has a dedicated gluten-free facility to eliminate any risk of cross-contamination. They use grains such as millet, buckwheat, and sorghum to craft their beers, ensuring that all their products are safe for those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance.
Popular Brews
Favorite Blonde: A light, refreshing blonde ale with a smooth finish. It has subtle notes of honey and citrus, making it perfect for any occasion.
Big Henry Hazy IPA: A bold and hoppy IPA with tropical fruit flavors and a juicy finish. This beer is packed with flavor but remains approachable.
Riva Stout: A rich and creamy stout with notes of coffee and dark chocolate. This beer is a favorite among those who enjoy darker, more robust brews.
However, my personal favorite brew is the Buckwit Belgian and the Root Beer IPA.
Achievements
Holidaily Brewing has received numerous awards for their gluten-free beers, including medals at the Great American Beer Festival. They are known for their commitment to quality and innovation in the gluten-free beer market.
Holidaily is my personal favorite favorite gluten free beer brand.
Ghostfish Brewing Company
Ghostfish Brewing Company, located in Seattle, Washington, is another leading gluten-free brewery. Founded by three friends who shared a passion for craft beer and a need for gluten-free options, Ghostfish aims to push the boundaries of what gluten-free beer can be. I have had the pleasure of eating at their entirely gluten free taproom and the food and beer are phenomenal. It’s a must for when you are in the Seattle area.
Brewing Process
Ghostfish brews its beers using naturally gluten-free grains such as millet, buckwheat, and brown rice. They also have a dedicated gluten-free facility to ensure their beers are safe for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
Popular Brews
Grapefruit IPA: A vibrant and citrusy IPA with a bold grapefruit aroma and flavor. It’s balanced by a solid malt backbone and a smooth finish.
Meteor Shower Blonde Ale: A light and crisp blonde ale with delicate malt sweetness and a refreshing hop character. Perfect for a sunny day.
Watchstander Stout: A full-bodied stout with flavors of roasted coffee, dark chocolate, and a hint of smoke. It’s rich and satisfying, ideal for stout lovers.
Achievements
Ghostfish Brewing has also garnered several awards, including medals at the U.S. Open Beer Championship and the Great American Beer Festival. Their commitment to crafting high-quality, innovative gluten-free beers has made them a favorite among gluten-free beer enthusiasts.
Ground Breaker Brewing:
Dedicated gluten-free brewery that uses chestnuts, lentils, and other alternative grains. You can locate their Gastropub in Portland, OR. I have had the pleasure of visiting there and trying most of their beers and I can say they are one of my favorites!
Glutenberg:
A fully gluten-free brewery using grains like millet, buckwheat, and quinoa.
New Planet Beer:
This Colorado based company has 2 flavors and uses oats and corn for their brewing process.
ALT Brew:
ALT Brew is hand-crafted in a nano brewery in Madison, Wisconsin. Made entirely of gluten-free ingredients on equipment solely dedicated to gluten-free production.
Divine Science Brewing:
Divine Science is a craft gluten free brand out of Orange County, CA.
Omission Brewing Co.:
Uses an enzyme to reduce gluten content, producing a variety of styles including lagers and IPAs. This is a brand where you will find the label “gluten reduced”. If you have celiac or a severe allergy, tread lightly.
Is Corona Beer Gluten Free?
Absolutely not, Corona is made with gluten containing grains.
We are fortunate enough to now live in a time where there are many delicious gluten free beer options available to us to enjoy. When I first when gluten free back in 2012 there were no gluten free beers available in store and the fist gluten free I ever tasted was at Groundbreaker Brewery in Portland, OR.
It felt like a full circle moment for me recently when we are on a family trip and I went to my local Whole Foods and they had a gluten free beer option. I hope someday to have more than 1 beer to choose from at the store, but for now I will take it!
Don’t like beer, check out my post: Gluten Free Alternatives to Beer.
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