For many people who have a gluten intolerance, the prospect of giving up beer is a daunting one. However, fortunately gluten free beer is available for those who are missing the taste of traditional lagers and ales.
It shouldn’t be a surprise for any beer aficionado to know that most beer is made from grains, often barley. For someone on a gluten free diet, this puts a lot of your favorite beers out of the picture. The good news is, with more microbreweries cropping up as well as the demand for gluten free beer rising, it’s not as uncommon or impossible as you would think.
While there is a lot of debate stating that many mainstream beers do not contain enough gluten to be an issue, or that the gluten is broken down, it still is not worth the risk of trying it. We have to remember that even microscopic amounts of gluten from cross contamination can be a problem – and as the way most beers are brewed, you can be certain that even after fermentation there can be issues.
The best thing to do is try beers which are not made from gluten containing grains. The two most popular gluten free beer ingredients are sorghum and millet, both which do not come from wheat. Sorghum, which is similar in nutrients as corn, and millet, another gluten free grain, give many people choices.
Below are a list of different beers to consider trying. If you are lucky enough to find a restaurant that serves these, remember to make sure you’re careful about the possibility of cross contamination – especially when you consider how much regular beer your server or their tray may come into contact with.
RedBridge Beer: Made by ANHEUSER-BUSCH, INC, it’s exciting to see a mainstream brewer listen to the needs of the gluten intolerant community. RedBridge is a lager brewed from sorghum.
Bards Beer: America’s first malted sorghum beer is one certainly worth trying out if you are looking to explore gluten free beers. Go to BardsBeer.com.
New Grist Beer: New Grist Beer is found in Milwaukee Wisconsin, brewed by Lakefront Brewery. If you’re not in Wisconsin however, finding it could prove to be a little difficult.
Sprecher Brewery: Another brewery in Wisconsin, they offer two gluten free beers, one being a Shakparo Ale and another Mbege Ale which is also made with bananas.
If finding gluten free beers is difficult for you, you can also always consider home brewing it yourself on your own. Many people who love making beer have found this to be an enjoyable hobby.
As always, it’s important to remember to drink responsibly – alcohol should only be consumed occasionally and in moderation – many problems can ensue if you drink too much alcohol, gluten free or not.
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