What makes Beer Gluten Free?
Gluten is found in many common ingredients of today’s diets. Most commonly associated with barley and wheat, gluten is found in beer and other alcoholic beverages as well as anything made from wheat. Until the invention of gluten free beer, it was extremely difficult for someone with celiac disease or gluten allergies to enjoy a beer with family or friends. Nearly all other types of beer contain some level of gluten, so finding a safe beer for someone with gluten associated health issues can be challenging at best.
Low Gluten or Gluten Free?
Your best course of action would be to speak to your doctor first to find out exactly why gluten irritates your stomach prior to choosing a beer based solely on the level of gluten it contains. For people with a mild allergy to gluten, it may be possible to drink small quantities of beer that has a low gluten level without discomfort. Even those with mild allergies to gluten may find that gluten of any kind in their drink causes serious discomfort as drinks lack the bulk of other foods that have gluten. The smallest trace amounts of gluten can cause serious, life threatening reactions to those with Celiac disease, however. If you are unsure of what causes your gluten reaction, it is safest to stick with beers that are clearly labeled gluten free.
What are the Main Ingredients in Gluten Beer
Most beers are made from barley and wheat, so it is natural to wonder how gluten free beer can taste as good as regular beer. Gluten free beer is generally made from buckwheat, sorghum or rice. Buckwheat is a completely safe ingredient, as it is a member of the rhubarb family and unrelated in any way to wheat. Despite the fact these are not the traditional forms of beer making, you will be surprised to find the taste of beers made from these ingredients is excellent. There are many online reviews of the various types of gluten free beers currently available, and doing a little research can greatly reduce the amount of trial and error you undertake to find the perfect beer.
Where Can I Find Gluten Free Beer?
Gluten free beer may not be readily available at all restaurants and bars. When planning a night out it is a good idea to call ahead and find an establishment that carries gluten free beer. You will find that many managers are more than willing to accommodate a request for gluten free options if they do not currently offer any. You will find a wide variety of gluten free beer and low gluten beer choices online, for home consumption, in case your local liquor store does not carry what you need.