Gluten-Free Beer: Wheat-Free Alternatives For Beer Lovers

Many people who are allergic to wheat or have coeliac disease assume that they cannot drink beer. However, there are plenty of wheat-free beers available, and even some gluten-free options. Traditional beers do contain gluten in the form of wheat or barley, but gluten-free beers are made with sorghum, rice, or millet. Some popular gluten-free beers include Buck Wild Pale Ale by Alpenglow Beer Company, Redbridge Lager by Anheuser-Busch, and Pyro American Pale Ale by Burning Brothers Brewing. For those who are not gluten intolerant but are looking for a wheat-free option, there are also several wheat-free craft beers available.

Wheat-Free Beer Characteristics

Wheat-free beers are not necessarily gluten-free

Gluten-free beers, on the other hand, are made with gluten-free grains like sorghum, rice, or millet instead of wheat or barley. These beers are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and must contain less than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten.

It is important to note that "gluten-removed" or "gluten-reduced" beers are not the same as gluten-free beers. These beers are made from gluten-containing grains and then processed to reduce the gluten content. However, the effectiveness of this process has not been scientifically validated, and these beers may still contain traces of gluten. As a result, they are not recommended for people with severe gluten intolerance or allergies.

So, if you are looking for a wheat-free and gluten-free beer, be sure to check the labels carefully. Look for beers that are specifically labelled as gluten-free and made with gluten-free grains. Some popular options include Buck Wild Pale Ale by Alpenglow Beer Company, Copperhead Copper Ale by Alt Brew, and Glutenator IPA by Epic Brewing Company.

Wheat-free beers are ideal for those with a wheat allergy

There are several wheat-free beers available that use alternative grains in place of wheat. For example, sorghum is a popular alternative grain used in wheat-free and gluten-free beers. Some wheat-free beers include the Lakefront New Grist Gluten-Free, which is an all-sorghum ale, and the Redbridge Gluten-Free Beer, which is brewed with sorghum and has a well-balanced, moderately hopped taste.

It is important to note that some wheat-free beers may still contain gluten, as they may be made with other gluten-containing grains. These beers are not suitable for those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance. Gluten-free beers, on the other hand, are made with gluten-free grains like sorghum, rice, or millet and are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

For those with a wheat allergy or intolerance, it is always best to check the labels and ingredients of any beer before consuming it. While wheat-free beers may not be as widely available as gluten-free options, they can still be found and enjoyed by those who are unable to tolerate wheat.

In conclusion, wheat-free beers are ideal for those with a wheat allergy as they provide an option to enjoy beer without the worry of an allergic reaction. By choosing wheat-free beers made with alternative grains, individuals with a wheat allergy can still enjoy a variety of beer styles and flavours.

Gluten-free beers are regulated by the FDA

The FDA's regulation of gluten-free labelling applies to packaged foods, including dietary supplements and fermented, hydrolyzed, or distilled foods. It is important to note that the regulation does not apply to foods whose labelling is regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) or the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). Generally, the USDA regulates the labelling of meats, poultry, and certain egg products, while the TTB regulates the labelling of most alcoholic beverages, including distilled spirits, wines containing 7% or more alcohol by volume, and malt beverages made with malted barley and hops.

The FDA's regulation of gluten-free labelling was established through the Food Allergen Labelling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004 (FALCPA), which directed the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to define and permit the use of the term "gluten-free" in food labelling. On August 5, 2013, the FDA issued a final rule defining "gluten-free" for voluntary use in food labelling, and on August 12, 2020, they issued a final rule on the gluten-free labelling of fermented or hydrolyzed foods, establishing compliance requirements for these food categories.

The FDA's regulation of gluten-free labelling is particularly relevant to beers, as traditional beers often contain gluten in the form of wheat or barley. Gluten-free beers, on the other hand, are made with gluten-free grains such as sorghum, rice, or millet and are regulated by the FDA instead of the TTB. According to FDA regulations, gluten-free beers must contain less than 20 ppm of gluten. It is important to note that beers labelled as "gluten-removed" or "gluten-reduced" are not considered gluten-free and may not be suitable for individuals with celiac disease or gluten intolerance.

Gluten-free beers are made with gluten-free grains

Gluten-free beer is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and, according to FDA regulations, must contain less than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten. In most countries, beers with gluten levels below 20 ppm are classified as gluten-free, but in the United States, they are classified as gluten-reduced.

Brewers who produce gluten-free beers are required to test every batch for gluten and record gluten levels in parts per million. These beers are safe for people with gluten intolerance, including those with celiac disease or dermatitis herpetiformis, as they do not trigger an autoimmune response.

The availability of gluten-free beers has increased significantly in recent years, and there are now many gluten-free options available worldwide. Gluten-free beers come in a variety of styles, including ales, Belgian whites, and India pale ales (IPAs).

Gluten-removed and gluten-reduced beers are also available, but these are not recommended for people with a severe gluten intolerance or allergy as they may contain traces of gluten.

Some gluten-free beers

Gluten-free beers are made with gluten-free grains like sorghum, rice, or millet instead of wheat or barley. They are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and must contain less than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten.

Duck Foot Brewing Company: Drink This or the Bees Die

The founder, Matt DelVecchio, was diagnosed with Celiac disease and now makes gluten-reduced beers with locally sourced honey. A portion of the proceeds from this sweetly-scented, dry-finishing beer goes to the Planet Bee Foundation.

Holidaily Brewing Company: BuckWit Belgian

Founder Karen Hertz's Colorado brewery makes full-flavoured, zero-gluten beers using native grains including millet and buckwheat. This citrusy witbier has a nutty flavour that's reminiscent of Blue Moon.

Burning Brothers Brewing: Roasted Coffee Strong Ale

Friends Dane Breimhorst and Thom Foss, who met as teens in the circus circuit, founded this gluten-free brewery after Breimhorst received a Celiac diagnosis. They make beers such as Roasted, a caramel-accented brew that's kicked up with cold-brew coffee.

Glutenberg Craft Brewery: Blanche

This Canadian brewery cracked the code of brewing a hazy Belgian witbier without wheat, using quinoa, buckwheat, millet, and amaranth. The customary orange peel gives it a citrusy pop that begs for an orange garnish.

Ghostfish Brewing Company: Grapefruit IPA

This Seattle brewery is known for adventurous gluten-free beers like the fiery Ghost Pepper Saison. The Grapefruit IPA is bold and bitter with a live-wire citric jolt that will make any IPA junkie smile.

Odd13 Brewing: Codename: Superfan

Co-owner Kristin Scott has a gluten sensitivity, so her husband, Ryan, only brews gluten-reduced beers. Codename: Superfan is one of America's best hazy IPAs, with a deft balance of sweetness and bitterness.

New Planet Beer: Blonde Ale

This gluten-free blonde ale is bright and refreshing, made with millet, gluten-free oats, and blue corn, which helps to lighten the beer's body.

New Belgium Brewing Company: Glütiny Pale Ale

New Belgium has been making grade-A beer since 1991, so you can trust this gluten-reduced pale ale to deliver on quality and value. It has toasty, lightly sweet aromas of papaya and guava, courtesy of recently released Equinox hops.

Two Brothers Artisan Brewing: Prairie Path Golden Ale

This gluten-reduced golden ale has a subtle lemony flavour that makes it ideal for lighter fare such as vinaigrette-dressed salads, salmon, or herbaceous roast chicken. Fun fact: Two Brothers has been brewing Prairie Path for several decades.

Ground Breaker Brewing: Dark Ale

This inventive gluten-free Portland, Oregon, brewery uses darkly roasted chestnuts and lentils to create a flavour profile reminiscent of dark chocolate dunked into chicory coffee.

Omission Beer: Ultimate Light Golden Ale

For those monitoring both gluten and calorie intake, Omission created this 99-calorie, gluten-reduced golden ale. Citra and Galaxy hops supply a melon-y, tropical aroma fit for a Hawaiian vacation.

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