Whether you like to kick back with a libation once in awhile, like to bake with alcohol as an ingredient or just want to be sure you have safe options for your gluten free friends, it’s good to know the facts about gluten free beer, gluten free alcohol, gluten free liquor, gluten free liqueur, gluten free wine, gluten free seltzers and gluten free ciders.
It’s not always easy to find which ones are safe in a store or on a bar menu, so I’ve taken the guess-work out for you here, both in highlighting brands and categories and in teaching you how to label read and shop discernedly.
Safe gluten free beer is relatively new in our world (cheers!), but many other alcohols and wines have been gluten free all along.
Nonetheless, there remains a lot of confusion surrounding “gluten removed” versus naturally gluten free beers, and myths perpetuate about gluten in wine and gluten in alcohol.
I’ll cut to the chase: while only certain beers are gluten free, all wine is gluten free. Wine is made from grapes, which are very definitely free from gluten (gluten is a protein found within the grains of wheat, barley and rye).
If you’d like to drink wine while reducing your environmental footprint, Really Good Boxed Wine is an interesting option for you! One box holds the equivalent of 4 bottles, keeps the wine fresh for 6 weeks, and unlike typical boxed wine, is actually made with high quality wines.
The wines are endorsed by Master Sommelier Andy Mysers; they are the only boxed wines to have ever been endorsed by a Master Sommelier. I tasted the Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon and it was surprisingly good (yes, I’ll admit to having low expectations for a boxed wine!).
To hear more details on the wine-making process and how wine really is gluten free, have a listen to the podcast of my radio show, The Gluten Free Voice, where gluten in wine was the topic of conversation that episode.
Is Sake Gluten Free?
Another type of wine — “rice wine” or sake — is also gluten free, but isn’t actually wine at all. It’s a closer cousin to beer because it is created by converting starch to sugar and fermenting it into alcohol. Here, the starch is rice (a gluten free starch) and the final product is called Sake.
Sake may be created more cheaply by adding alcohol, or it may be produced using traditional methods of brewing with simple rice, water and koji (rice mold). The latter method produces Junmai sake which will be denoted on the label. (see photo)
Sake may be enjoyed warm (not hot) or cold and pairs nicely with lots of different foods.
Some sakes are drier and some are sweeter; on the sake label, you should be able to identify the Sake Meter Value (SMV) number from -15 to +15. The higher the number, the drier the sake. Taste a few with different foods and see which you prefer, then you can always remember your preferred SMV. Check SakeSocial for more information on sake characteristics.
(Many thanks to Marc Smookler, founder and CEO of SakeSocial.com for sharing the information on sake production.)
And … if you love wine but it doesn’t love you back, try these drops for your wine from Drop It. One small bottle fits neatly into your purse or pocket, and it treats up to 55 glasses or 9 bottles of wine. Add 1-2 drops for a glass of white, or 2-3 drops for a glass of red; Drop It binds with the free sulfites in the wines rendering them harmless, and also adds proteins that binds to the tannins to help them precipitate out.
Made from hydrogen peroxide, powdered egg whites and sunflower lecithin. Gluten free. Also available for beer (see photo).
Distilled Liquor and Liqueur Is Gluten Free. (period)
Is there gluten free liquor and liqueur? Yes! Liquors like rum (made from sugar cane), tequila (made from the agave plant) and brandy (distilled wine) are not made with gluten, so they are safe for celiacs and others with gluten sensitivity.
Let me repeat that in case it was unclear: PROPER DISTILLATION REMOVES GLUTEN PROTEINS. Therefore, even though grain alcohols may have started out with wheat or barley or rye, after distillation — the process that transforms them into liquor — they no longer contain gluten. Period.
In fact, many spirits are distilled multiple times. Like this lovely vodka distilled six times and flavored with roses picked from the Rose Valley in Bulgaria. Ette Flora Rosa Vodka advertises itself as being gluten free and vegan, with no artificial flavors. It’s a gorgeous color, and has a lovely aroma, too!
Distilled alcohol choices made only from gluten free grains like corn or potato also exist, for those with wheat or barley allergy or those who choose to drink naturally gluten free liquor.
Other fun pre-mixed cocktails from Thomas Ashbourne are also a great ready-to-drink choice, even marketed as gluten free. Small batch blended in the USA, this woman-founded company with a very male name has some interesting partnerships that make for even more interesting drinks.
A Cosmo created by Sarah Jessica Parker, with cranberry, fresh lime, strawberry, premium vodka and triple sec; a Margarita backed by Ashley Benson, Rosario Dawson and Vanessa Hudgens, made from limes, sea salt, orange zest, premium tequila, triple sec and agave; and an Espresso Martini curated by none other than Neil Patrick Harris, made from Arabica and extra dark roast espresso, with hints of vanilla, and dark chocolate. Gluten free craft spirits in bottles or cans, ready when you are!
Are Hard Ciders and Malt Beverages Gluten Free?
Hard ciders are almost always gluten free, unless the manufacturer has added malt (made from barley).
Ace Ciders are an example of certified gluten free ciders — just look at the range of flavor options (there are even more available, including delicious seasonal flavors like pumpkin). Ace California Cider Company, opened in 1993, is the first family owned cider in the US. It’s based in Sonoma, California and truly has some of the most unique and flavorful gluten free cider options I’ve found. I also love that they have bottles and cans!
Malted Beverages and Wine Coolers are NOT Gluten Free
Unlike true ciders which are gluten free, malted beverages and wine coolers are NOT gluten free. Malt is derived from barley which contains gluten, and these drinks are fermented, not distilled, so the gluten remains in the bottle.
Always read labels before buying — don’t rely on stores to accurately shelve gluten-free items apart from non-gluten free options.
Jack’s Hard Cider IS gluten free; as are the seltzers pictured here. Charm City Mead is another gluten free option.
Meads like Charm City Mead on the top shelf above, ARE gluten free. Mead is made from fermented fruits and honey, no grain.
However, some brands of fermented, malted beverages are now claiming to be gluten-removed. Please use caution in choosing to try these types of beverages.
When fermented and malted beverages are made with gluten (usually barley — think beer!) but claim to be processed to remove or break apart the gluten molecules, they are not able to verify the gluten content of the resulting beverage (see section below on “gluten removed beers”).
These manufacturers are not allowed to label themselves as gluten-free, but instead must say something like “crafted to remove gluten.” Experts do NOT consider enzyme-treated beers and ciders safe for celiacs.
This is a quote from Mike’s Hard Lemonade‘s FAQ page: “[W]e encourage you to consult with your doctor if you have extreme sensitivities since our product may contain gluten traces. mike’s [sic] is fermented from grains that contain gluten and crafted to remove gluten. The gluten content cannot be verified and this product may contain gluten.”
Also many drink mixers (like Bloody Mary and margarita mixes) contain (barley) malt or other hydrolyzed wheat proteins as fillers. Always read every label!
Gluten Free Spiked Lemonade (not fermented)
On the other hand, when a libation is made from distilled, not fermented alcohol, but uses the claim “gluten-removed,” it can be confusing, but it’s still gluten-free. Distilled alcohol — as long as no malt is added back in — is gluten free as described above.
One such beverage is Fisher’s Island Lemonade. This vodka and whiskey-spiked lemonade cocktail in a can is a ready to drink and totally refreshing option to beer. (From Fisher’s Island in response to my inquiry about their “gluten-removed” description: Because Fishers Island Lemonade product is made with vodka and whiskey – the whiskey is made with malted barley and rye, which in its original form contains gluten. Through distillation, the gluten is removed, so it is friendly to gluten sensitive drinkers.)
This description of the beverage being “gluten removed” is very confusing and while technically accurate, is an extreme corporate CYA rather than a helpful consumer labeling statement. This product is gluten free, not gluten removed, because it is distilled.
These super refreshing libations don’t taste alcoholic at all (but they do pack a punch at 9% and 7% ABV). They really taste like delicious lemonade, shanties and other fruity, bubbly drinks that are the perfect way to cool off in the summer.
They come in Lemonade, Spiked Tea, Pink Flamingo and Fizz, as well as a grown-up frozen popsicle which probably goes without saying, but I’ll say it anyway, is just too cool. Available to ship to your door in many states — check here for your state shipping availability.
Gluten Free Hard Seltzers
One of the newest alternatives to beer on the gluten free market is seltzer water with a kick. These bubbly beverages are so refreshing!
These light alternatives to beer and wine typically contain less than 6% alcohol derived from fermentation of citrus and sugar. They are wonderful on their own to cool down on a hot summer day, or to use as mixers in any kind of libation. One of the original brands is SpikedSeltzer but there is a new brand cropping up on every end aisle, it seems.
An ever-present brand is White Claw Hard Seltzer. This low calorie libation has no artificial ingredients; the alcohol comes from fermented cane sugar. With 5% ABV and 110 calories, I find these to be sweeter than the SpikedSeltzer competition, although their new lemonade flavors are pretty good, IMHO. That’s not a bad or a good thing: if you like sweet, you’ll love these; choose another seltzer if you prefer a more subtle flavor.
MillerCoors has their own gluten free hard seltzer called Cape Line Sparkling Cocktails. Their first flavors are Blackberry Mojito, Margarita and Hard Strawberry Lemonade. Unlike typical hard lemonades (see above), these 6-ingredient libations are gluten free! They’re even certified gluten-free by the GFCO (kudos). Another nice feature about Cape Line? Only 120-calories. They’re slightly sweet and bubbly and are 4.5 abv. Enjoy them cold from the can or in your favorite margarita glass with ice. Cheers!
There are plenty more brands available, just be sure to check the labels. Stick with ones like this one from Willie’s Superbrew, which claim “gluten free” right on the can.
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Gluten Free Beers
Beer used to never be gluten free. Luckily, many craft brewers and even big breweries like Anheuser-Busch (Redbridge) are now offering special gluten free beer. Most are brewed from alternative grains like sorghum and millet, so are considered naturally gluten free beers.
There is another category of beer that is called “gluten-removed” or “gluten-reduced;” these beers are made from barley in the traditional brew-making style, and are not allowed to be labeled as “gluten-free” in the U.S., although local state laws may differ when the beers are not crossing state lines.
Experts caution against celiacs and those with gluten sensitivity drinking these beers, since it’s unclear whether they are truly gluten free enough to be safe.
Scroll down to the “Gluten Removed Beers” section to read more about how these beers are treated to reduce gluten and the controversy over whether they are actually safe for celiacs.
Also, check out this article on the yeasts used to brew beers, and some questions you may want to ask the brewers of gluten free beers and ciders before you try them.
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A note: Some of these gluten free beers are hard to find, others rather pricey, so you may not want to use them inmy gluten free fish and chips recipe, but you’ll probably want to drink one withthe fish and chips recipe!
Use a more ubiquitous, cheaper beer like Redbridgefor the batter, if you like, and wash it down with your new favorite naturally gluten-free ale, pilsner or lager!
Be sure to choose a naturally gluten free beer, not a gluten-reduced/gluten-removed beer.
Don’t be afraid to ask your local stores to carry any of these special brews – many are distributed through national distributors, so they should be able to order for you.
So many new options are available to those of us eating and drinking gluten-free, and that’s something to celebrate!
I’ve spent some time taste-testing my way around the naturally gluten free beers available today, and also crowd-sourced favorite regional brands where I haven’t been lucky enough to try them all for myself. These are all compiled in my Gluten Free Beer Tasting Notes.
You should hop there to see if there’s a gluten free beer tasting room in your area or a specific brew that might suit your particular taste. There are so many great options now, and more being added every day. Cheers to that!
In Europe, these types of beers are regarded as “gluten-free,” but in the US, they are referred to as “gluten-reduced,” and by law, they cannot be called “gluten-free” because they are made with gluten-containing barley. Current testing methods are not able to accurately detect hydrolyzed and fermented gluten proteins, so many are cautious about trying these beers, and experts do not recommend this category of beverages for those with celiac disease or severe gluten sensitivity.
While the manufacturers of these beers claim that they test to below 20ppm gluten, no widely available scientifically validated testing exists which can adequately test beverages like fermented beers for gluten, so relying on ineffective testing for gluten results is somewhat disingenuous: “ELISA as it stands cannot measure the gluten [in beer]. Unless they access an alternate technology they can’t know,” says Michelle Colgrave, a researcher with the government-run Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) in Australia.
“FDA is aware that sandwich ELISA methods [currently available testing] do not adequately detect gluten in fermented and hydrolyzed foods. Because scientifically valid methods currently are lacking that can do so, we intend to issue a proposed rule on this issue.”
Studies Finding Gluten-Removed Beers Still Contain Detectable Gluten
In fact, a 2017 Australian report found that “[a]cross the range of commercial beers that have been produced using an enzyme, the application of the enzyme appeared to be inconsistent. There were some beers that had very low levels of gluten, barely detectable, while others had as much as an untreated beer,” Colgrave says. In their paper published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, study authors found gluten in a dozen beers labelled gluten-reduced with a this new test.
“The medical and scientific community has not validated or accepted that these low-gluten or gluten-removed beers are safe because available gluten testing methods have not been sufficiently accurate with fermented and hydrolyzed products,” said Cynthia Kupper, CEO of GIG. “That is why we conducted this first-of-its-kind study, because even if one person with celiac reacts to gluten-removed beers, it shows it would not be appropriate to certify this product category according to our standards.”
To hear the podcast interview with two authors of the study, Cynthia Kupper, CEO of the Gluten Intolerance Group and a registered dietitian diagnosed with celiac disease, and Laura Allred, Ph.D. and GIG’s Regulatory and Standards Manager, click here for free podcast.
graphical representation of mass spectrometry versus ELISA testing on gluten-removed beer
Furthermore, tests using a newer test called liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) — scientists believe it is a more accurate way to measure gluten in fermented beers — showed that even though all the tested beers “had been rated by their makers to have gluten levels below 20 mg/kg, according to ELISA”, the new test “found detectable gluten fragments in every sample using LC-MS, and most had much higher levels of gluten than ELISA detected.”
The graphical representation above shows the same gluten-removed beer sample being tested by both ELISA and mass spectrometry, with the latter (bottom) test finding more barley hordein (protein) remaining.
Another 2023 Australian study confirmed these conclusions, finding several so-called “gluten-free beers” made from barley but treated with enzymes which showed equal or even higher hordein (barley protein) content than some of the untreated, control beers.
If you are confused about which beers are naturally gluten-free and which are gluten-reduced, choose only beers with a nutrition label, since that indicates it is regulated by the FDA and therefore, does not contain barley. (For more information listen to the podcast interview with GFCO regarding their study).
Like the malted beverages described above, these manufacturers are instead only permitted to make certain statements about the fact that their beer is processed/treated/crafted to remove gluten, along with certain qualifying statements indicating that the gluten content is uncertain.
Estrella Damm’s Daura A straw-colored, gluten-reduced Eurolager from Spain, is made with barley and hops.
Not recommended for those with celiac disease or a medical condition requiring a gluten free diet.
Another gluten-reduced beer is Omission Beer out of Oregon. It’s made from traditional beer ingredients. Currently offering lager and American Pale Ale. (Learn more on my Gluten Free Voice Radio Show podcast).
Not recommended for those with celiac disease or a medical condition requiring a gluten free diet.
Like Estrella Damm Daura beer, Omission is a “de-glutenized beer” made with low protein barley. Omission has published details of its proprietary process to further explain how they believe the barley (gluten) protein is removed in their brew. They also offer a way they say to check the gluten content of every beer by entering the date code stamped on the bottle to view that batch’s R5 competitive ELISA test results (BUT again, experts do not believe that this testing is accurate on fermented beverages).
Not recommended for those with celiac disease or a medical condition requiring a gluten free diet.
Brunehaut is another gluten reduced beer, made in the style of a Belgian brew. These Belgian ales (Blond and Amber) hail from Brunehaut brewery in Belgium, established in 1890.
Not recommended for those with celiac disease or a medical condition requiring a gluten free diet.
Gluten Free Chocolate Beer Cake — always a fan favorite!
Baking With Gluten Free Beer
Whether or not drinking beer excites you, you should be thrilled that gluten-free beers are finally available for us to use as cooking ingredients! That’s right – beer bread, tempura, beer cake, and the always popular, beer-battered fish and chips! What would these be without beer? Not the same, I assure you!
Hot Day + Cold Gluten Free Beer = Happy Jules.
Why Gluten-Reduced Beers are Not Safe for Celiacs
Why Gluten-Reduced Beers are Not Safe for Celiacs
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