Budweiser Beer: Wheat-Free Or Not?

Budweiser is a popular American beer, but is it suitable for those with a wheat allergy or intolerance? Budweiser is brewed from barley malt, which contains gluten, so it is not wheat-free or gluten-free. However, one source suggests that Budweiser contains less than 5ppm of gluten, or even no gluten. Nevertheless, due to the possibility of cross-contamination during the milling process, it is not recommended for those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance. For those seeking a wheat-free or gluten-free alternative, Anheuser-Busch InBev, the company behind Budweiser, offers Redbridge Beer, made from malted sorghum, which does not contain gluten.

Budweiser's ingredients

Budweiser is an American-style pale lager that was introduced in 1876 by Carl Conrad & Co. of St. Louis, Missouri. Budweiser is a filtered beer, available on draft and in bottles and cans, made with up to 30% rice in addition to hops and barley malt. Budweiser is brewed using malted barley, rice, water, hops, and yeast. The brewing process happens in seven steps: milling, mashing, straining, the brew kettle, primary fermentation, beechwood lagering, and finishing.

In 2014, Anheuser-Busch, the company that produces Budweiser, unveiled the ingredients of Budweiser and Bud Light for the first time. On its website, Anheuser-Busch lists the ingredients for Budweiser as water, barley malt, rice, yeast, and hops. Budweiser does not contain wheat, but it is brewed from barley malt, which contains gluten, making it unsuitable for those with celiac disease.

Anheuser-Busch sources almost 100% of its ingredients from U.S. farms and has worked with its growers for generations to ensure that only the finest ingredients are used to brew its beers. The company is committed to producing high-quality beers that meet the expectations of its consumers.

Gluten content

Budweiser is not a gluten-free beer. While Budweiser does not contain wheat, it is brewed from barley malt, which contains gluten. This means that it is unsuitable for people with coeliac disease or a wheat allergy.

In 2013, Budweiser provided the following statement:

> "We appreciate your interest in our products. Anheuser-Busch beers vary in the type and mix of ingredients, and in certain refinements of the brewing process used to achieve their distinctive and unique characteristics. But, all are alike in one respect - every Anheuser-Busch beer is brewed without artificial ingredients, additives, or preservatives. With regard to your inquiry, Budweiser is indeed produced without wheat. The key ingredients in this product are water, barley malt, rice, hops, and brewers yeast."

It is important to note that while Budweiser does not contain wheat, there is a risk of cross-contamination with wheat during the milling of the barley.

For those seeking a gluten-free alternative, Anheuser–Busch InBev, the company behind Budweiser, produces a gluten-free beer called Redbridge Beer, made from malted sorghum, which does not contain gluten.

In terms of gluten content, Budweiser has been tested using a gluten test kit, with results showing less than 5 ppm gluten, or even no gluten. However, it is important to note that this is not medical advice, and individual reactions may vary.

Celiac disease

The exact cause of celiac disease is unknown, but it is believed to occur only in people with certain genes who also consume gluten. Celiac disease is hereditary, and those with a first-degree relative with the disease have a 1 in 10 risk of developing it. It can develop at any age after people start consuming gluten. While the symptoms can vary, common digestive symptoms include bloating, chronic diarrhea, lactose intolerance, abdominal pain, and weight loss or gain issues. Non-digestive symptoms can include depression, anxiety, dermatitis herpetiformis (an itchy rash), and mouth sores or dryness.

The only treatment for celiac disease is a strict lifelong adherence to a gluten-free diet. People with celiac disease must avoid all sources of gluten, including certain grains, as well as hidden sources like supplements, cosmetics, and even toothpaste. Ingesting even small amounts of gluten can trigger small intestine damage.

While Budweiser beer is produced without wheat, it does contain barley malt, which means it contains gluten and is therefore unsuitable for those with celiac disease.

Budweiser alternatives

Budweiser is a popular beer brand that is enjoyed by many people around the world. It is brewed without artificial ingredients, additives, or preservatives, and its key ingredients include water, barley malt, rice, hops, and brewers yeast. While Budweiser is produced without wheat, it is not guaranteed to be wheat-free due to potential cross-contamination during the milling process. It also contains gluten, making it unsuitable for those with celiac disease. If you are looking for alternatives to Budweiser that are more "cool" or modern, here are some options:

• Heineken: This Dutch beer brand has been a worldwide brewing leader for 150 years and is the most relevant competitor to Budweiser. Heineken is the second-largest brewer globally and the largest in Europe. They own over 160 breweries in 70 countries and sell over 8.5 million barrels of beer.
• China Resources Snow Breweries: This Hong Kong-based company is widely known for its "Snow" beverage, which is one of the best-selling beers in the world. They have a diverse portfolio that includes food and beverage retailing, textile, distribution, and real estate.
• Carlsberg: Founded in 1847, Carlsberg is a Danish multinational brewer with a diverse portfolio of beer and other beverage labels. They have enjoyed steady growth and elevating sales and profitability since the 1990s, despite the competitive beer market. Carlsberg owns assets worth DKK 118.816 billion from 140 beer brands worldwide.
• Molson Coors: Molson Coors is a merger between two brewer firms, Molson and Coors, which combined in 2005. Headquartered in Chicago, USA, they have 31 breweries and sell their products in over 50 countries. They have generated 10-15 million in revenues and have assets worth US$28.9 billion as of 2019.
• Miller Brewing Company: Miller is another American brewer and a top competitor to Budweiser. Commercialized in 1855 and located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Miller has a demanding portfolio worldwide. With a strong business strategy, they have become one of the widely popular brewing brands.
• Corona: Corona has been a top-selling imported drink in the U.S. since 1998 and is a significant rival to Budweiser. Their most popular variation, Corona Extra, is often served with a wedge of lime or lemon. Corona is a product of Grupo Modelo, AB InBev, and they also offer variations like Corona Light, Corona Premier, and Corona Familiar.
• Yuengling Amber: Suggested by a user on a forum, Yuengling Amber is recommended as an alternative to Budweiser.
• Prima Pils: Another forum user recommends Prima Pils, which is available at BevMo on Katella if you're from Cypress.
• Full Sail Session Lager
• Anchor California Lager: Recommended by a forum user from California as a native beer to try.
• Epic Hop Syndrome Pils: Suggested by a forum user who tried it and adored it, especially if you don't mind the taste of hops.
• Tecate: Described as "nothing is cooler" by a forum user.

These alternatives to Budweiser offer a range of options in terms of brand popularity, taste preferences, and geographic availability.

Budweiser's brewing process

Budweiser is an American-style pale lager, first introduced in 1876 by Carl Conrad & Co. of St. Louis, Missouri. Budweiser is a filtered beer, available on draft, in bottles, and cans. It is made with up to 30% rice, in addition to hops, barley malt, water, and yeast. Budweiser does not contain wheat, but it is not gluten-free.

The brewing process for Budweiser can be broken down into seven steps:

• Milling: The first step in the brewing process is to mill the grains (rice and barley malt) to prepare them for mashing. Milling involves breaking down the grains into smaller pieces, which will allow the water to penetrate and extract the sugars more easily in the next step.
• Mashing: In this step, the milled grains are soaked in warm water to create a sugar solution known as wort. The temperature and duration of the mash can vary depending on the desired flavour profile of the beer.
• Straining: After mashing, the grain is separated from the wort. This step ensures that only the liquid (wort) proceeds to the next stage, leaving behind the solid grain particles.
• Brew Kettle: The wort is then boiled in a brew kettle, where hops are added to provide bitterness, flavour, and aroma to the beer. This step also helps sterilize the wort and concentrate the sugars, contributing to the final alcohol content.
• Primary Fermentation: The wort is then cooled and yeast is added to begin the fermentation process. During fermentation, the yeast consumes the sugars in the wort and produces alcohol and carbon dioxide, turning the wort into beer.
• Beechwood Lagering: Budweiser is then aged or "lagered" in horizontal tanks with beechwood chips. This process helps to clarify the beer and gives it a smoother flavour.
• Finishing: Finally, the beer is packaged into bottles, cans, or kegs, and distributed for consumption. Budweiser conducts over 100 different package quality checks before any product leaves their facilities.

Budweiser takes great pride in the quality of its ingredients and the skill of its brewmasters. The company sources almost 100% of its ingredients from U.S. farms and works closely with growers to ensure sustainability and the highest quality. The brewing process is carefully monitored and taste-tested at every stage to ensure consistency and the distinctive flavour of Budweiser.

Frequently asked questions