Gluten Insensitivity And Beer: Is It Safe To Drink?

Beer is typically made from gluten-containing grains such as barley, wheat, and rye. For those with coeliac disease or gluten sensitivity, consuming gluten can cause an abnormal immune reaction, damaging the small intestine and leading to debilitating symptoms. While conventional beer is not gluten-free, there are gluten-free options available. Brewers are creating beers with grains that don't contain gluten, such as sorghum, buckwheat, or rice, or they are breaking down the gluten during the manufacturing process. These gluten-free or gluten-reduced beers cater to those with coeliac disease or gluten sensitivity, allowing them to enjoy a wider range of beverages.

Gluten-free beers

People with coeliac disease or gluten sensitivity are often forced to forgo glutenous food and drinks, including beer, which typically contains malted barley as its main ingredient. However, brewers around the world are increasingly creating beers that are safe for people with coeliac disease or gluten intolerance to enjoy.

There are two main approaches to making gluten-free beer: using grains that don't contain gluten, such as sorghum, buckwheat, rice, millet, or corn, or breaking down the gluten into smaller compounds during the manufacturing process. The former approach is more common in Australia and New Zealand.

• Ghostfish Brewing Company (Seattle, USA): Award-winning brewer of a range of gluten-free beers, including the Grapefruit IPA, Shrouded Summit Belgian White Ale, and Meteor Shower Blonde Ale.
• Ground Breaker Brewing (Portland, Oregon, USA): A dedicated gluten-free brewery with innovative seasonal experimental flavours. Their Dark Ale, made with darkly roasted chestnuts and lentils, is particularly well-regarded.
• Holidaily Brewing Company (Golden, Colorado, USA): A female-owned, dedicated gluten-free brewery with a range of beers, including the Buckwit Belgian and Blonde Ale.
• New Planet Beer (USA): Produces a gluten-free Blonde Ale made with millet, gluten-free oats, and blue corn, which lightens the body of the beer.
• Stone Brewing (San Diego, USA): Their Delicious IPA is gluten-reduced and features a bouquet reminiscent of lemons and watermelon Jolly Ranchers.
• Odd13 Brewing (USA): Co-owned by someone with gluten sensitivity, this brewery only produces gluten-reduced beers, including the popular hazy IPA, Codename: Superfan.
• Burning Brothers Brewing (Minnesota, USA): A gluten-free brewery specialising in beers such as the caramel-accented Roasted, which is kicked up with cold-brew coffee.
• Glutenberg Craft Brewery (Canada): This gluten-free brewery cracked the code of brewing a witbier without wheat, using quinoa, buckwheat, millet, and amaranth. Their Blanche beer features the style's customary orange peel for a citrusy pop.

Gluten-removed beers

According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), gluten-free beers must contain less than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten. Gluten-removed beers fall under this category and are considered gluten-free in Europe. However, the FDA does not allow reduced-gluten beers to be labelled as gluten-free.

While some people with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease may be able to tolerate gluten-removed beers, others may experience adverse symptoms. It is recommended that people with severe gluten intolerance or allergies avoid gluten-removed beers.

Some examples of gluten-removed beers include:

• Omission Beer
• New Belgium Glutiny brand Golden and Pale Ales
• Widmer Omission Lager and Pale Ale
• Alley Kat Scona Gold Kölsch
• Estrella Damm Daura Marzen

Gluten-intolerant vs. coeliac

Celiac disease is a severe gluten-related disorder, affecting about 1% of the population. It is an autoimmune disease that can damage the digestive system, causing inflammation in the small intestine when gluten is consumed. This can lead to poor nutrient absorption, resulting in significant digestive discomfort, frequent diarrhoea or constipation, and even iron deficiency anemia. Celiacs must avoid gluten-containing foods and drinks, including bread, pasta, cakes, biscuits, pastries, and beer.

Gluten intolerance or non-celiac gluten sensitivity is a milder form of gluten-related disorder, affecting 0.5-13% of people. It is characterised by adverse reactions to gluten, such as abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhoea, constipation, headaches, fatigue, and "brain fog". However, it does not cause the same intestinal damage as celiac disease, and those with gluten intolerance do not test positive for celiac disease based on blood testing. While there are no recommended methods to test for gluten intolerance, a diagnosis can be made by ruling out other causes and observing improvements on a gluten-free diet.

For those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance, the best treatment is a gluten-free diet. This involves avoiding gluten-containing grains like wheat, barley, and rye, as well as products made from them, such as conventional bread, pasta, cakes, and beer. However, some gluten-reduced or gluten-free beers are now available, produced using grains that don't contain gluten or by breaking down the gluten during the manufacturing process. These beers may be an option for those with gluten intolerance, but those with celiac disease should proceed with caution, as even gluten-reduced beers may not be completely safe for them.

In summary, the key difference between gluten intolerance and celiac disease is the severity of the disorder and the presence or absence of intestinal damage. Celiac disease is a more severe condition that causes intestinal damage, while gluten intolerance is milder and does not result in intestinal damage. Both conditions can cause similar symptoms, but the treatments differ, with celiac disease requiring strict gluten avoidance and gluten intolerance allowing for some low-gluten options.

Low gluten beers

People with coeliac disease or gluten sensitivity can experience an abnormal immune reaction when they consume gluten, which is a protein found in grains including barley, wheat and rye. This can damage the lining of the small intestine and lead to a range of symptoms.

While there are now many gluten-free beers available, these are often made with gluten-free grains like sorghum, rice, or millet, and can taste tart or shallow. Some people with coeliac disease or gluten sensitivity are able to drink gluten-removed beers, which are made with traditional gluten-containing grains like barley, but use enzymes to break down the gluten into smaller compounds. However, the effectiveness of this process hasn't been scientifically validated and there is a risk that these beers can still trigger adverse symptoms.

• Buck Wild Pale Ale by Alpenglow Beer Company (California, USA)
• Copperhead Copper Ale by Alt Brew (Wisconsin, USA)
• Redbridge Lager by Anheuser-Busch (Missouri, USA)
• Felix Pilsner by Bierly Brewing (Oregon, USA)
• Pyro American Pale Ale by Burning Brothers Brewing (Minnesota, USA)
• Duck Foot Brewing Company Drink This or the Bees Die (San Diego)
• Holidaily Brewing Company BuckWit Belgian (Colorado)
• Burning Brothers Brewing Roasted Coffee Strong Ale
• Glutenberg Craft Brewery Blanche (Canada)
• Stone Brewing Delicious IPA (San Diego)
• Ghostfish Brewing Company Grapefruit IPA (Seattle)
• Odd13 Brewing Codename: Superfan
• New Planet Beer Blonde Ale
• New Belgium Brewing Company Glütiny Pale Ale
• Two Brothers Artisan Brewing Prairie Path Golden Ale
• Ground Breaker Brewing Dark Ale
• Omission Beer Ultimate Light Golden Ale

If you have coeliac disease or a gluten intolerance, it's important to note that the tolerance for gluten-removed beers varies from person to person. Some people can drink one or two of these beers without issue, while others cannot tolerate any. It's always best to consult a medical professional for advice.

Gluten-free alternatives

While some people with gluten sensitivity can still drink beer, there are also gluten-free alternatives that they can opt for. These include:

Gluten-Free Beer

Gluten-free beers are made with grains that do not naturally contain gluten, such as sorghum, brown rice, maize, millet, or oats. Some gluten-free beers are made with traditional beer ingredients, but the gluten is removed during the brewing process. Examples of gluten-free beer brands include Bard's, Glutenberg, Green's, Lakefront Brewery, and New Planet.

Alcoholic Ginger Beer

Alcoholic ginger beer is made from ginger, water, sugar, and yeast, and is naturally gluten-free. Some gluten-free options include Barritt's Original Ginger Beer, Fentimans Ginger Beer, Ginger's Revenge, and Crabbie's Original Alcoholic Ginger Beer.

Hard Cider

Hard cider is made from fermenting apples and yeast, and is naturally gluten-free. Examples of gluten-free cider brands include Woodchuck Cider, Magners, and Angry Orchard.

Lonkero

Lonkero, or "long drink," is a Finnish beverage made from a blend of gin and grapefruit soda. It is a crisp, low ABV drink that serves as a refreshing alternative to beer.

Mead

Mead, also known as honey wine, is an ancient alcoholic beverage made from fermented honey and water. It can be dry or sweet, still or sparkling, and can include additional flavors from fruits, spices, or grains. Examples of mead brands that are gluten-free include Apis Mead and Winery, Wehrloom Honey and Meadery, and Batch Mead.

Hard Seltzer

Hard seltzer is typically made from carbonated water, alcohol (fermented cane sugar), and fruit flavoring, and is naturally gluten-free. However, some brands use fermented malted barley instead of cane sugar, so checking the label is important. Popular gluten-free hard seltzer brands include Flying Embers and Press.

Distilled Spirits

Distilled spirits, such as rum and tequila, are made from fermented plants or fruit and are naturally gluten-free. Other gluten-free options include whiskey, vodka, and gin, as long as they are made following strict manufacturing practices to ensure no gluten-containing ingredients are present in the final product.

Non-Alcoholic Gluten-Free Beers

For those who want a non-alcoholic option, there are also gluten-free alternatives to beer. Some brands that offer non-alcoholic gluten-free beers include Drop Bear, Jump/Ship Brewing, and Big Drop Brewing.

Frequently asked questions