Sorghum Beer: Where To Buy This Brew?

Sorghum beer is a popular beverage for those who are unable to consume wheat or barley due to Celiac Disease or gluten intolerance. It offers a rich, full-bodied taste experience and is widely available in the market. Some notable brands include Redbridge, which offers a well-balanced and moderately hopped lager, and Lakefront New Grist, the first gluten-free beer approved by the US Government. For those seeking a unique flavour profile, Wild African Soul presents a modern take on traditional sorghum beer, blending European and African brewing techniques to create an exceptional beer with notes of pear, jammy fruit, and citrus. Additionally, The Paris Beer Co. offers Amphora, a sorghum medley with hints of honey, liquorice, mint, and clementine. These beers can be purchased online or at select retailers, providing a diverse range of options for consumers seeking the distinctive flavour and accessibility of sorghum beer.

Online retailers for sorghum beer

Sorghum beer is a gluten-free beverage that has been brewed for centuries, particularly in Africa, where it holds cultural significance. While sorghum malt is not widely available in the United States, there are a few online retailers that offer sorghum beer or the ingredients to brew it.

One option is to purchase sorghum beer directly from breweries that produce it. For instance, St. Peter's Brewery in Suffolk, UK, offers a gluten-free sorghum beer that can be ordered online. Additionally, Kweza Craft Brewery, which collaborates with Yakima Chief Hops, specialises in sorghum brewing and may offer online purchasing options.

For those interested in brewing their own sorghum beer, suppliers like HomeBrewTalk.com and Kweza Brewery provide the necessary ingredients. HomeBrewTalk.com is an online forum where homebrewers can find deals and connect with other brewers, while Kweza Brewery offers insights into the sorghum brewing process and may be able to provide malted sorghum and other brewing supplies.

In North America, there are also gluten-free commercial beers made from sorghum. Lakefront Brewery, Anheuser-Busch, and Bard's Tale Brewing Company are some of the producers that have launched gluten-free options, although it is unclear if they can be purchased directly from the breweries' websites.

Lastly, for those based in South Africa, Beerhouse offers a traditional African sorghum beer called Umqombothi, which can be purchased at their locations or potentially ordered online.

Sorghum beer in stores

Sorghum beer is available at various online and in-store retailers. Here is a list of some places where you can buy sorghum beer:

Online Stores

• Half Time Beverage: They offer the Lakefront New Grist Sorghum Beer, which is a gluten-free option with a crisp and refreshing taste. It has hints of green apple and is brewed from sorghum, rice, hops, water, and yeast.
• Colonial Spirits: Offers Redbridge Sorghum Beer, a gluten-free lager brewed from sorghum. It has a rich, full-bodied taste and is moderately hopped.
• Ray's Wine: Also stocks the Redbridge Sorghum Beer, a wheat-free and gluten-free option with a well-balanced flavour.
• Soul Barrel: Features a unique Wild African Soul: Sorghum Farmhouse Beer, which is a modern take on traditional sorghum beer, blending European and African brewing techniques.
• The Paris Beer Co.: In collaboration with Kweza Craft Brewery, they offer Amphora Sorghum Bier, a sorghum medley with honey sweetness, liquorice, mint, and clementine flavours.

In-Store Locations

In addition to the online options, some local retailers, such as Ray's Wine, likely have physical store locations where you can purchase sorghum beer in person. You can check their website or contact them directly to find out more about their store locations and availability.

It is always a good idea to check the websites or contact the retailers directly to confirm the availability of sorghum beer before making a purchase, as stock and product offerings may vary.

Gluten-free options

If you're looking for gluten-free options when it comes to sorghum beer, there are several brands and options available to you. Sorghum is naturally gluten-free, so any beer made from this grain will be suitable for those with gluten intolerance or coeliac disease. Here are some specific brands and options to look out for:

First up is New Planet Beer, a dedicated gluten-free brewery based in Colorado. They offer a range of sorghum beers, including a blonde ale, a brown ale, and a Belgian-style ale. Their beers are widely available across the US, and you can find them in many major retailers, as well as online.

Another great option is Bard's Tale Beer, which is renowned for being the first gluten-free beer to be granted label approval by the US government. This beer is made with sorghum, hops, water, and yeast, and nothing else, ensuring a pure and gluten-free brew. You can find Bard's Tale Beer in many specialty beer stores and also through online retailers.

For those who enjoy experimenting, consider trying your hand at making your own sorghum beer at home. There are home brewing kits available online that provide you with the necessary ingredients and equipment to craft your own gluten-free beer, allowing you to customise the flavour and strength to your liking.

When purchasing sorghum beer, remember to check the labels for certified gluten-free products to ensure they meet the required standards. Many breweries and retailers provide detailed information about their products, including any potential cross-contamination risks, so you can make an informed choice.

Lastly, keep in mind that the availability of specific gluten-free sorghum beers may vary depending on your location. If you're unable to find these options locally, consider contacting the breweries directly or exploring online retailers who may be able to ship their products to your region.

International availability

Sorghum beer is widely available internationally and is especially popular in many African countries. In the United States, sorghum beer can be purchased in stores carrying organic products and restaurants. The first nationally available sorghum beer in the US was Redbridge, launched by Anheuser-Busch in St. Louis, Missouri. Another early brand of sorghum beer in the US was New Grist, launched by Lakefront Breweries in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

In Africa, sorghum beer is regularly produced in many villages, and it is usually possible to find someone with a large vat serving the brew to locals. Sorghum beer is a significant source of income for many poor and rural Africans. It is also a part of the culture for many people in Africa, although its consumption has been associated with health, financial, and relationship problems.

In Nigeria, the government imposed a ban on the import of barley in the 1980s and 1990s to increase economic growth within the country. This led to the establishment of a cooperative for rural development in Ghana and Sierra Leone by Heineken and Diageo, in partnership with the Common Fund for Commodities, a segment of the United Nations. Heineken now produces beer from sorghum (either wholly or in part) in Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Rwanda, and Burundi, under the names of Star Lager or Gulder. Diageo, the makers of Guinness Foreign Extra Stout, also plans to brew Guinness with sorghum in Nigeria, Ghana, and Sierra Leone.

Different flavours

Sorghum beer is a popular beverage in many parts of the world, especially in Africa and among health-conscious drinkers. It is known for being gluten-free and can be brewed at home or produced commercially. Here is an overview of some of the different flavours and varieties of sorghum beer available:

Traditional African Sorghum Beer

In Africa, sorghum beer is often brewed using traditional methods, with alcoholic and lactic acid fermentation. The beer can be soured using yoghurt, sourdough starters, or natural fermentation. Traditional African sorghum beer is known for its sour taste and is often consumed at room temperature. It typically has an alcohol content ranging from 1% to 8%.

Wild African Soul: Sorghum Farmhouse Beer

This modern rendition of traditional sorghum beer is a collaboration between Brewsters Craft and Soul Barrel. It blends European barrel-aging techniques with African methods of sour mashing and natural fermentation. The result is a unique flavour profile that includes notes of creamy pear, jammy fruit, citrus, honey, and earthy sorghum grain. With 6.5% ABV and 35 IBUs, this limited-release beer offers a complex and intriguing taste experience.

Amphora Sorghum Bier

Amphora is a sorghum medley crafted in collaboration with Kweza Craft Brewery. It features a soft honey sweetness complemented by spikes of liquorice, fresh mint, and clementine fruitiness. Amphora offers a well-balanced blend of sweetness and refreshing citrus notes.

Lakefront New Grist Sorghum Beer

Lakefront Brewery's New Grist is a gluten-free sorghum beer that was the first to receive label approval from the US Government. It is crafted from sorghum, rice, hops, water, and yeast, resulting in a crisp and refreshing session ale. This beer pours a brilliant gold colour, with a bubbly head and a light, fruity aroma. Hints of green apple add a refreshing twist to the maltiness of the sorghum.

Bard's Sorghum Malt Beer

Bard's Beer is a North American sorghum malt beer that is 100% gluten-free. It is brewed with sorghum grown in contaminant-free fields, ensuring a pure and safe product. Bard's Beer has a traditional craft-brewed flavour and aroma, with a low bitterness, subtle floral notes, and a clean, refreshing finish.

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