Is Alcohol Gluten Free?
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One of the biggest challenge after a Celiac Disease diagnosis is socializing with friends. Following a gluten free diet means changing the foods you eat AND the beverages you drink. Read this post if you want to learn more about gluten free alcohol.
Is Beer Gluten Free?
Traditional beers contain barley (barley malt) and wheat. These two grains contain the type of gluten that is problematic for those with Celiac Disease. If you follow a gluten free diet, PLEASE do not drink wheat and barley based beers.
When we say malt, most people are referring to malted barley. Please know that any grain can undergo the malting process. For example, malted sorghum is perfectly safe on a gluten free diet. Read my blog post to learn more about malt and the malting process.
Is Corona Beer Gluten Free?
This internet rumor seems to circulate no matter how many times we try to whack that mole. PLEASE, if you have Celiac Disease, DO NOT drink Corona beer. Even if you think you “feel ok,” it still can cause damage to your intestinal tract.
Brands of Gluten Free Beer
Fortunately, many brewers in the United States have made gluten free brewing their mission. The list below shows breweries that only use gluten free grains for their beers and in their facilities. Some brewpubs also offer a 100% gluten free food menu!
In addition, a few Canadian and European based beers are available for distribution in the United States, such as Green’s beers in a can. You can find Green’s and other gluten free beers at many Michigan restaurants.
West Coast
- Bierly Brewing (McMinniville, OR)
- Evasion Brewing (McMinnville, OR)
- Ground Breaker Brewing (Portland, OR)
- Ghostfish Brewing (Seattle, WA)
- Divine Science Brewing (CA)
- Eckert Malting & Brewing (Chico, CA)
- Otherwise Brewing (San Fran, CA)
South / Southwest (Any suggestions?)
- Stoic Brews (NW Arkansas)
Midwest
- Alt Brew – (Madison, WI)
- New Grist – Lakefront Brewing (Milwaukee, WI)
- Holidaily Brewing Co. (Golden, CO)
- NEFF Brewing (Tulsa OK)
East Coast
- Red Leaf Brewing (Jeffersonville, VT)
- Lucky Pigeon Brewing (Biddeford, ME)
- Orange Bike Brewing (Portland, ME)
- Necromantic Brew Co. (Farmingdale, NY)
- Departed Soles (Jersey City, NJ)
- They make traditional and Gluten free beers.
Is Gluten Reduced Beer Safe for People with Celiac Disease?
No, gluten reduced beer is NOT safe for those with Celiac Disease. Some brewers claim that the “brewers clarex” they use breaks down the gluten proteins in their beer. Sadly, this is not accurate. You can read more about this topic in my blog post about Gluten Reduced Beer.
Examples of Gluten Reduced Beer
- Stella Daura Damm
- Omission Balanced Brewing
- Stone Delicious IPA
Is Hard Cider Gluten Free?
Most hard ciders contain no gluten ingredients, and are made from pure fermented apple cider and yeast. Michigan is home to many hard cider businesses, which you can find on the MIchigan Cider Association website. Some cideries *may* mix beer in with their hard cider, although that is uncommon. Just make sure to double check.
Read this article from The Wine Enthusiast to learn How Hard Cider is Made.
Is Mike’s Hard Apple a Gluten Free Alcohol?
NO. Mike’s Hard Apple contains barley malt, and is not gluten free. Please do not drink Mike’s Hard Apple or Lemonade if you have Celiac Disease.
Are Hard Seltzers Gluten Free?
MOST of the time, hard seltzers are a gluten free alcohol. Most hard seltzers are made with fermented sugar and yeast. SOME may include malt, so make sure to double check the label.
Technically under the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax Trade Bureau (TTB), hard seltzers are classified as a beer. However, most hard seltzers contain no malt. Read this blog post from The Wine Enthusiast to learn how Hard Seltzers are Made.
Popular gluten free hard seltzers include White Claw, Truly Hard, High Noon and more.
Are Hard Liquors Gluten Free?
Yes, most hard liquors / distilled spirits are a gluten free alcohol. Even if a hard liquor is made with a gluten containing grain, the distillation process separates the heavier gluten grains from the alcohol vapor.
To learn more about how how fermentation (which is how beer is made) is different from distillation, read this informative blog post from the Gluten Intolerance Group.
Examples of Distilled Spirits/ Hard Liquor
Because gluten grains don’t transfer in the distillation process, gluten free alcohols such as rum, tequila, cognac, gin, bourbon and vodka contain no gluten. For example, this means that people with Celiac Disease do not need to be restricted to only vodka made from potatoes.
If you have concerns about gluten free hard alcohols, please read this blog post about Gluten Content of Distilled Alcohols from Gluten Free Watchdog. She includes a link to a PDF that shows all of her testing date. All gluten free alcohols tested under 20 ppm.
Is Wine Gluten Free?
Wine, made from grapes, is gluten free. So enjoy your Moscato, Cabernet, Merlot or many other varieties of wine. Some people are concerned that wine barrels may contain wheat paste, which could render the wine to be no longer gluten free. However, Gluten Free Watchdog intentionally tested wines stored in this manner, and the wines still tested under 20 ppm.
The Most Important Reminder when Drinking Gluten Free Alcohol
Whichever gluten free alcohol you choose to enjoy, please do so responsibly. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states “Every day, about 34 people in the United States die in drunk-driving crashes — that’s one person every 42 minutes. In 2023, 12,429 people died in alcohol-impaired driving traffic deaths.”
My followers are more than just a number to me. I want to make sure you, your friends, and your family make it home safely. Mothers Against Drunk Driving shares tips on how to spot and prevent drunk driving.