How is gluten free beer made? There are currently two ways to manufacture gluten free beer. The first is to use a malt from naturally gluten free cereals or pseudocereals such as sorghum, millet, buckwheat, rice, quinoa or maize. These beers often have slightly different aromas and flavours to regular beer.
The second method is to produce a beer using a gluten containing malt (wheat, barley or rye), and then introduce a process to reduce the gluten content so that it complies with the law on gluten free and contains 20 ppm or less of gluten. One way of doing this is to use an enzyme at the start of the fermentation process to break down the gluten protein.
An example of this is the patented product Brewers Clarex® (also used to reduce the chill haze in beer). This protease enzyme degrades the gluten to levels below the 20 ppm threshold so it can be labelled gluten free. As this type of beer has been made from barley, by law the labelling must also state ‘contains barley’.
This allows people to identify gluten free beers made from barley separate to gluten free beers made from naturally gluten free cereals or pseudocereals. By law, manufacturers can only label their beer gluten free if it contains 20 ppm or less of gluten. Laboratory testing is the best way to assess the amount of gluten in a product, but there can be difficulties when testing beer using the usual R5 ELISA Sandwich method (commonly used for foods), due to the gluten being broken down.
An alternative method is available (R5 ELISA Competitive) which is a more effective way to measure the gluten in beer and other hydrolysed or fermented products. Scientists continue to explore other techniques to try to further advance the analysis of gluten in food and drink products such as mass spectrometry, PCR (polymerase chain reaction), aptamers.
- There are pros and cons with all testing methods and we look to the experts for the very best and latest advice such as the Prolamin Working Group and our Food Standards Committee.
- The R5 ELISA Competitive ELISA method is considered the current state of the art and the best validated method currently available but Coeliac UK and producers remain engaged with experts and global research exploring potential new test methods.
Alcohol can have side effects whether or not you have coeliac disease. Information on sensible drinking can be found on the, This information is based on the advice of our Food Standards Committee, Health Advisory Council and/or the Prolamin Working Group.
Contents
How do they make gluten-free beers?
We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission Here’s our process, Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind. Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:
- Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
- Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?
- Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?
We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness. Traditional beers are made from water, yeast, hops, and wheat or barley — two grains that contain gluten ( 1 ). As an alternative, many gluten-free beers that are made with gluten-free grains like sorghum, rice, and millet are available.
- This article reviews the gluten-free beer market and some factors to consider when choosing the best one for you.
- Unlike most traditional beers, gluten-free varieties are made from gluten-free grains and regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) instead of the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) ( 2 ).
According to FDA regulation, gluten-free beers must contain less than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten ( 3 ). You’ll likely come across beers labeled “gluten-removed” or “gluten-reduced” on your quest to find gluten-free beer, but these are not gluten-free.
- Gluten-removed beer is made from a gluten-containing grain like barley, wheat, or rye.
- It’s processed using enzymes that digest gluten particles into smaller fragments, which may pose a low risk of causing an immune response in someone with a gluten allergy or intolerance ( 4 ).
- That said, the effectiveness of the removal process hasn’t been scientifically validated, and the gluten content of gluten-reduced or gluten-removed beer may vary between batches ( 5, 6 ).
Furthermore, a test-tube study revealed that gluten-removed beer could still cause an immune response in some people with celiac disease ( 7 ). Hence, gluten-removed beers are not recommended if you have a severe gluten intolerance or allergy. SUMMARY Gluten-free beer is made with gluten-free grains like sorghum, rice, or millet instead of wheat or barley.
- Gluten-removed beers undergo a process intended to reduce their gluten content.
- A growing number of gluten-free beers are available.
- If you enjoy regular beer, you may find that gluten-free beers have a different taste profile due to the grains used.
- Early gluten-free beers often used sorghum, but many brewers have moved away from this ingredient because of its sour flavor.
Instead, many gluten-free brewers now make flavorful ales, Belgian whites, and India pale ales (IPAs) using creative ingredients and other gluten-free grains like millet, buckwheat, rice, and corn. Some breweries are dedicated gluten-free breweries, which means that they do not handle gluten-containing ingredients at all.
- Buck Wild Pale Ale by Alpenglow Beer Company (California, USA)
- Copperhead Copper Ale by Alt Brew (Wisconsin, USA)
- Redbridge Lager by Anheuser-Busch (Missouri, USA)
- Felix Pilsner by Bierly Brewing (Oregon, USA)
- Pyro American Pale Ale by Burning Brothers Brewing (Minnesota, USA)
- Third Contact IPA by Divine Science Brewing (California, USA)
- Glutenator IPA by Epic Brewing Company (Utah, USA)
- Celia Saison by Ipswich Ale Brewery (Massachusetts, USA)
- English Pale Ale by Autumn Brewing Company (Seaham, UK)
- G-Free (Pilsner) by St. Peter’s Brewery (Bungay, UK)
- Forager Amber Pale Ale by Whistler Brewing Company (British Columbia, Canada)
- Massager Millet Lager by Microbrasserie Nouvelle France (Quebec, Canada)
- Gluten-Free Pale Ale by Scott’s Brewing Company (Oamaru, New Zealand)
- Pale Ale by Wild Polly Brewing Co. (Western Australia, Australia)
- Ginger Beer by Billabong Brewing (Western Australia, Australia)
As you can see, it’s easy to find gluten-free beer worldwide. SUMMARY The availability of gluten-free beers has increased significantly in recent years. You can now find many gluten-free options from all over the world. You can find kits to brew your own gluten-free beer in specialty stores or online,
- Bring water to a boil and add the sorghum syrup.
- Add hops and boil for 1 hour.
- Turn off the heat and stir in honey. Let cool.
- Transfer to a clean and sanitized fermenter. Add enough water to make the desired amount of liquid, usually around 5 gallons (19 liters). Discard the yeast.
- Ferment the beer and place it in sanitized bottles with corn sugar.
SUMMARY Gluten-free beer can be made at home similarly to how you’d make traditional beer, although you use gluten-free ingredients like sorghum syrup. Gluten-free homebrew kits are available to facilitate the process. Thanks to gluten-free brewing, beer can now be enjoyed by those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance.
- Gluten-free beer is made using gluten-free grains in place of wheat or barley, which are used to make traditional beer.
- Gluten-removed and gluten-reduced beers are also available, but these may not be suitable for people with an aversion to gluten, as they may contain traces of gluten.
- Finding the best gluten-free beer depends on your taste preferences.
Fortunately, you can find many gluten-free beers from around the world or even brew your own at home. Finally, make sure to drink beer and other alcoholic beverages in moderation. Moderate drinking is defined as no more than one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men ( 8 ).
Can you make your own gluten free beer?
The first month of each year brings a flurry of personal experiments. It’s a popular belief that it takes 21 days to start a new habit (though it’s really closer to 60), causing many imbibers to believe the 31 days of January are plenty to set them on the right track.
- Maybe it’s going dry for the month,
- Maybe it’s a new workout routine.
- Or perhaps it’s adjusting one’s diet.
- Some choose to cut out gluten — a naturally occurring protein found in certain grains, like wheat — for a month to see if it helps with brain fog, inflammation, or other of the myriad symptoms attributed to gluten sensitivity.
If the shift works, you might just get to enjoy 2022 as a more focused, less bloated you. And if nothing changes? Onto a gluten-full February. If you’re removing gluten from your diet just to see how it will affect you — and even if you’ve been diagnosed with a gluten allergy or Celiac disease — you don’t have to give up homebrewing.
How hard is it to make gluten free beer?
Celiac disease is the intolerance to gluten, a common protein found in most grains including barley, wheat, rye, oats — the grains most commonly used in beer production — as well as spelt, kamut and triticale. The gluten proteins trigger an immune response in the small intestine of people suffering from the disease.
The only treatment for those affected is to avoid foods made with gluten-containing grains. But there is hope for the beer-loving celiac sufferer. Several grains that do not contain gluten — corn, rice, sorghum, buckwheat, millet and quinoa — can be used to make beer. Currently, a few breweries in the United States have begun producing gluten-free beer.
Bard’s Tale was the first US brewery to introduce a gluten-free beer, Dragon’s Gold, a lager beer brewed with sorghum. Dragon’s Gold is available in many northeastern states and on the west coast. Late in 2006, Anheuser-Busch rolled out another gluten-free lager, called Redbridge, made with sorghum and rice.
Around the world, there are a few craft breweries that make gluten-free beer. In Africa, locally-made sour sorghum beers have been common for a long time, since sorghum is a widely planted crop there. SABMiller also makes a clear sorghum beverage there called Eagle. For the homebrewer, brewing gluten-free beer is certainly possible.
However, for all-grain brewers, it is much more difficult than brewing a traditional-style beer. “It’s a hell of a lot more difficult brewing a good gluten-free beer than people think,” Craig Belser, co-owner and brewmaster at Bard’s Tale Beer declares, effectively tossing out a challenge to homebrewers everywhere.
Does Heineken have gluten?
The Basics – At the most basic level, traditional beers are not gluten-free and that includes Heineken. Beer is brewed from malted barley or wheat and hops. Both barley and wheat grains contain gluten, which ultimately means there is gluten in beer. For this reason, traditionally brewed beers are not safe to consume on a gluten-free diet, especially if your diet is due to Celiac Disease,
Can beer really be gluten-free?
Does Beer Contain Gluten? – Generally, yes. Most beers contain wheat, rye, or barley, which means that most beers contain gluten. However, a few breweries have started brewing gluten-free or gluten-reduced beers to cater to those who have gluten sensitivities and allergies. 
Gluten-reduced beers are those that contain less than 20 parts per million of gluten. At the start of brewing, gluten-reduced beers are made like any other typical beer, including the amount of gluten they contain. The difference between “regular” beer and gluten-reduced beer comes later, with the addition of an enzyme that breaks down the gluten.
This process helps make the beer safer for consumption by people who have gluten sensitivities. But people who are highly sensitive to gluten or have been diagnosed with celiac disease may still have reactions to the gluten-reduced beer due to the small amount of gluten still present. Gluten-free beer, on the other hand, is beer that never used a gluten source.
When brewing gluten-free beer, barley is swapped out for another carbohydrate source that doesn’t contain gluten, like buckwheat, rice, corn, or millet. Because they never contained any gluten during the brewing process, gluten-free beers contain 0 parts per million of gluten.
- When making gluten-free or gluten-reduced beers in a brewery setting, the brew team must be extremely careful to prevent cross-contamination of these beers with the “regular” beers that contain gluten.
- To prevent trace amounts of gluten from being picked up from the production facility, the gluten-free or reduced beer needs to be the first thing on the production schedule after the CIP (clean-in-place procedure).
In addition to the scheduling needs, all tanks and equipment that will be used during brewing need to be tested for gluten to confirm low enough levels for however the final beer will be categorized. This process adds a lot of extra steps, which translates to more time and more money invested in the final product, and it’s a big reason why gluten-free and gluten-reduced beers aren’t more common. 
Yes. Because of the alternative grains used in them, gluten-free and gluten-reduced beers tend to have a thinner mouthfeel, and they’re often described as being less rich on the pallet. Because of this, gluten-free and reduced beers have not been widely adopted by people who are gluten tolerant.
How bad is beer for gluten intolerance?
No, conventional beer is not gluten-free. Beer is typically made from a combination of malted barley and hops. Sometimes wheat is also used in the beer making process. Since both barley and wheat contain gluten, beers made from either are not gluten-free.
- Gluten-Free Beers There are beers currently on the market that are made without gluten.
- Some are made from naturally gluten-free sorghum instead of barley or wheat.
- Hard ciders, alcoholic beverages made from fermented fruit juices, are often gluten-free as well.
- However, some ciders do use barley, so be sure to read labels carefully.
Pure distilled liquors are also typically safe for those with celiac disease due to the distillation process. When purchasing any beer or cider, be sure to read labels. If gluten-content is unclear, ask the manufacturer. Can People with Celiac Disease Safely Drink Barley-Based “Gluten-Removed” Beers? Since “gluten-removed” beer first hit the market, there has been confusion over whether people with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity (‘gluten sensitivity’) can safely consume these beverages.
Tricia Thompson, MS, RD of Gluten Free Watchdog compiled input from many experts to answer this controversial question. The current consensus is that gluten-removed beers are not yet safe for those with celiac disease. Beyond Celiac encourages you to read the full outline from Tricia Thompson further explaining why gluten-removed beer is not yet considered safe for people with gluten-related disorders.
GLUTEN FREE BEER made easy! [+Pale Ale Recipe]
Her breakdown of this issue also includes details on alcoholic beverage labeling and the government bodies that regulate them. To download the PDF, visit GlutenFreeWatchdog.org,
Does gluten survive deep frying?
Solving the Problem of Gluten in Fried Foods – High heat has no effect on gluten. It won’t kill it off or otherwise neutralize it. The gluten proteins will just hang out in your fryer waiting to contaminate everything else you cook in it. Even using the same fry basket for gluten-free foods and those containing gluten creates enough co-mingling to pose a danger to sensitive diners.
A mere speck of gluten protein that reaches otherwise gluten-free foods is enough to trigger the autoimmune response in those suffering from celiac disease. As you can see, cross-contact is rampant between foods with and without gluten when they are cooked in the same fryer. Even if your kitchen has a couple of fryers, the chances of are still unacceptably high.
That’s why you might want to consider installing a dedicated gluten-free fryer and establishing (and enforcing) rules for its use. Having that dedicated fryer is one of the steps needed to become certified by the (GFFS). Certification by the well-respected GFFS organization offers gluten-free diners the confidence of knowing that their food has been prepared according to strict standards and procedures designed to protect them and their health.
Does Stella Artois have gluten?
The Final Word – Although the original Stella Artois is not gluten free, the company has come out with a version that they do label as being gluten free. In reality, since it does use barley in the brewing process it should be labeled as gluten removed or gluten reduced.
Does tequila have gluten in it?
Is Tequila Gluten-Free? 
Yes, pure, distilled tequila, usually made with the blue agave plant, is considered gluten-free. Even if the tequila is mixtos, meaning that it contains at least 51% agave with other sugars added, it will still be safe for people with celiac disease. However, be on the lookout for hidden gluten in tequilas that add flavorings or other additives after distillation.
Patrón Jose Cuervo Don Julio Cabeza Sauza 1800 Familia Camarena Hornitos
Any information on the gluten content of particular brands shared above was obtained during the last update of this page. Be sure to check with the manufacturer for the latest info or if you have any questions. Want more information on the gluten-free diet? Sign up for our e-newsletters: : Is Tequila Gluten-Free?
Does rum have gluten?
Yes, pure, distilled rum is considered gluten-free. Rum is made primarily from sugarcane molasses or sugarcane juice. However, be on the lookout for hidden gluten in rums that add flavorings, spices or other additives after distillation. There is also a risk for gluten cross-contact in facilities that process products containing wheat, barley, or rye. Common Brands of Rum:
Havana Club Captain Morgan Bacardi Malibu – “The processes of distillation should eliminate cereal proteins from distilled spirits drinks and therefore distilled drinks are generally accepted for a gluten-free diet. We do not add any known gluten ingredients in Malibu Original or in any of the Malibu Flavors.Please note however, that we cannot offer specific advice, and recommend that you discuss these matters with your medical or dietetic advisor.” Tanduay Barceló Mount Gay
Any information on the gluten content of particular brands shared above was obtained during the last update of this page. Be sure to check with the manufacturer for the latest info or if you have any questions. Which Alcohols are Gluten-Free? Is Liquor Gluten-Free?
Can beer really be gluten-free?
Does Beer Contain Gluten? – Generally, yes. Most beers contain wheat, rye, or barley, which means that most beers contain gluten. However, a few breweries have started brewing gluten-free or gluten-reduced beers to cater to those who have gluten sensitivities and allergies. Gluten-reduced beers are those that contain less than 20 parts per million of gluten. At the start of brewing, gluten-reduced beers are made like any other typical beer, including the amount of gluten they contain. The difference between “regular” beer and gluten-reduced beer comes later, with the addition of an enzyme that breaks down the gluten.
- This process helps make the beer safer for consumption by people who have gluten sensitivities.
- But people who are highly sensitive to gluten or have been diagnosed with celiac disease may still have reactions to the gluten-reduced beer due to the small amount of gluten still present.
- Gluten-free beer, on the other hand, is beer that never used a gluten source.
When brewing gluten-free beer, barley is swapped out for another carbohydrate source that doesn’t contain gluten, like buckwheat, rice, corn, or millet. Because they never contained any gluten during the brewing process, gluten-free beers contain 0 parts per million of gluten.
- When making gluten-free or gluten-reduced beers in a brewery setting, the brew team must be extremely careful to prevent cross-contamination of these beers with the “regular” beers that contain gluten.
- To prevent trace amounts of gluten from being picked up from the production facility, the gluten-free or reduced beer needs to be the first thing on the production schedule after the CIP (clean-in-place procedure).
In addition to the scheduling needs, all tanks and equipment that will be used during brewing need to be tested for gluten to confirm low enough levels for however the final beer will be categorized. This process adds a lot of extra steps, which translates to more time and more money invested in the final product, and it’s a big reason why gluten-free and gluten-reduced beers aren’t more common. Yes. Because of the alternative grains used in them, gluten-free and gluten-reduced beers tend to have a thinner mouthfeel, and they’re often described as being less rich on the pallet. Because of this, gluten-free and reduced beers have not been widely adopted by people who are gluten tolerant.
Is gluten-free beer better for you?
Is Gluten Free Beer Healthier?
There is selective evidence to suggest that gluten-free beer is healthier for you inasmuch as it is less likely to cause bloating, which is a common complaint of drinking regular beer.In addition, many of the gluten-free beers don’t contain animal derivatives which therefore are suitable for vegetarians and vegans also.All in all, the common enzyme used by brewers have little or no effect on the dietic content of the beer and there is very minimal evidence to suggest that gluten-free beer is less fattening, more low carb and sugar and therefore healthier for you than traditional beer.