Passover Beer: What's Allowed And What's Not?

During Passover, there are several food and beverage rules that observant Jews follow. The consumption of grains (like barley, wheat, rye, etc.) that have come into contact with water (and potentially leavened) is strictly prohibited. This rule applies to foods like bread and pasta, as well as the fermented base of most spirits. Beer, whiskey, and bourbon are all made from fermented grains, which is the very definition of hametz, leavened products forbidden from consumption on Passover. However, there are now kosher-for-Passover beers available in Israel and the US that are free of barley and malt and rich with ginger or date honey.

Can you drink beer on Passover?

Beer is forbidden on Passover

However, there are now kosher-for-Passover beers available in Israel and the US that are free of barley and malt and rich with ginger or date honey. These beers are not legally considered beer, which must have 60% of its carbohydrates from yeast, malt, barley and hops. Instead, they are classified with wines and ciders.

If you are looking for other alcoholic drinks to consume during Passover, there are several options. Wine is made from fermented grapes and is a core ritual of the Passover seder. Most kosher wines carry an additional certification identifying them as suitable for drinking on Passover. Vodka can be produced from any number of sources but is most commonly made from wheat, rye, corn, potato, sugar cane, and fruit. A number of distilleries now produce kosher-for-Passover vodka, widely available in kosher retailers. Gin is a flavoured vodka, most commonly by juniper berries, which are a fruit and therefore not hametz. A small number of kosher-for-Passover gins are available for purchase.

Beer is hametz

Beer is considered hametz, and therefore, it is forbidden to be consumed during Passover. The consumption of grains such as barley, wheat, and rye that have come into contact with water and potentially leavened is strictly prohibited during Passover. Beer is made from fermented grains, which fall under the category of hametz.

The rules regarding hametz apply not only to beer but also to other foods such as bread and pasta. Additionally, the fermented base of most spirits is also considered hametz. However, there are some alcoholic beverages that are allowed during Passover, such as vodka, tequila, gin, and kosher wine.

For those who follow kosher dietary laws, it is important to look for the "Kosher for Passover" label on alcoholic beverages. This label ensures that the product does not contain any ingredients that are prohibited during Passover. While beer is considered hametz, there are some kosher-for-Passover beers available that are free of barley and malt and are instead made with alternative ingredients like ginger or date honey.

The prohibition of beer during Passover is based on the belief that barley, when soaked in water under certain conditions, ferments into beer. Since the barley sits in water for more than 18 minutes, beer is considered hametz. This belief is supported by the Shulchan Aruch 442:5, a source of Jewish law.

Kosher-for-Passover beers exist

In 2016, Bryan Meadan, a celiac who loved beer, began making kosher-for-Passover date ale, and he has continued to make small batches of it. The Belgian beer Ginger Tipple is another example of a kosher-for-Passover beer. It is a ginger-flavoured beer made with kosher-for-Passover yeast. It is classified with wines and ciders, which means it does not have to have a sell-by date.

In Israel, the HaGibor Brewery makes Palma, a kosher-for-Passover beer with date syrup and honey. In 2020, they brewed 3,000 litres of Palma for Passover and sold out completely.

In the United States, Boulevard Brewing Co. and Matt Brewing Co. have stated that they make certified kosher beers.

Wine is allowed on Passover

If you are drinking wine on Passover, it is best to check with your hosts whether they would prefer wine that specifically sports a Kosher for Passover stamp.

Wine is made from fermented grapes and does not contain grains (like barley, wheat, or rye) that have come into contact with water and are therefore prohibited.

Tequila is kosher for Passover

Passover is one of the most important Jewish holidays, celebrating the liberation of the ancient Hebrews from enslavement. The holiday lasts seven to eight days, and involves kosher ceremonial dishes and the drinking of four cups of wine at the Passover seder. Observant Jews who enjoy tequila may wonder if they can drink it during Passover. The answer is yes, but with restrictions.

Tequila can be kosher for Passover, but it depends on its ingredients and manufacturing process. Some tequila types are inherently kosher, according to the Chicago Rabbinical Council. For example, unflavoured tequila made from 100% pure agave does not require a hechsher (a "K" or "U" label). On the other hand, some tequilas with preservatives or added flavours can still be considered kosher if a Kashrut agency certifies that they adhere to kosher standards.

Although many tequila brands are considered kosher, only a few are kosher for Passover, which requires a unique certification. In addition to adhering to year-round kosher standards, Jews also avoid bread products (chametz) and the grains used to make them (such as wheat, barley, and rye) during Passover. If tequila is certified kosher for Passover, it does not contain these grains.

Zarza is the only brand on the CRC's list with OU-P certification, making it suitable for Passover. All three of Zarza's tequila varietals (Blanco, Reposado, and Anejo) qualify. Other tequilas may also comply with Passover-friendly ingredients, and there may be appropriate-for-Passover brands unknown to the CRC. To tell if a product is kosher and kosher-for-Passover, look for a “K” or "U" on the label, followed by a "P" or the phrase "Kosher for Passover".

If you are willing to follow standard kosher rules during Passover, you have many more tequila options. Rancho Los Agaves, 1315, Rooster Rojo, and El Amo are a few certified options. Interestingly, the popular tequila brand Patron qualifies as kosher without certification, and some of its tequilas are even certified kosher for Passover.

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