Home/Blogs/What Is Gluten-Free Beer? Everything You Need to Know
Gluten-free beers are cropping up in many establishments to provide those with allergies or intolerances the crisp taste of a cold beer on a warm day. But what goes into making gluten-free beers? What makes the best gluten-free beer? And what types of gluten-free beers are there? This blog post will answer all of those questions and everything else you need to know.
Gluten-free beers are a type of beer brewed without ingredients that contain gluten. This includes barley, wheat or rye. Instead, alternative grains like sorghum, rice, millet or corn are used.
This beer is specifically crafted for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, to allow them to enjoy beer without triggering digestive issues or other adverse reactions.
Regular beer contains levels of gluten because it is primarily and traditionally brewed from grains that have inherent levels of gluten. This is mainly barley, rye and wheat. These are the key ingredients in the fermentation process that release the sugars that are needed to ferment beer. Although the grains do break down during the brewing process, the gluten proteins are not part of that.
You may be asking, surely there is some kind of enzyme that can break down and remove gluten from regular beer to make gluten-free beers? And you are half right. Yes there is an enzyme brewers can put into their beer to break down the gluten protein, but this doesnโt remove it completely, and even a trace amount can cause negative reactions for coeliacs.
Gluten-free beers are brewed using grains like sorghum, rice, millet, buckwheat and corn. Sorghum adds a slightly sweet, crisp flavour, while rice lightens the body and creates a clean finish. Millet and buckwheat provide earthy, nutty notes while corn offers a smooth, mild taste.
Each of these grains produces a lighter body and softer mouthfeel compared to the rich maltiness of barley-based beer. Our team at the Birmingham Brewing Company primarily uses sorghum and millet to make the best gluten free beers. We use these for their balanced flavour and approachable texture.
Gluten-reduced beer sometimes gets called gluten-removed beer and is brewed from traditional barley or wheat but treated with enzymes to break down the gluten proteins.
Unlike naturally gluten-free beers, it may still contain trace gluten, making it unsafe for people with coeliac disease. Labelling of these beers varies; for instance, in the UK and EU, products must meet strict gluten-free limits to be considered โgluten-freeโ, while the US allows โgluten-reducedโ even if small amounts remain.
People looking to avoid gluten entirely should always check labels first.
Gluten-free beers are safe for coeliacs when it contains less than 20โฏppm of gluten, the accepted threshold. Certified gluten-free labels ensure strict testing has taken place in an environment with a reduced risk of cross-contamination during brewing.
Newly diagnosed coeliacs should start with certified brands, read labels carefully and avoid beers brewed alongside gluten-containing grains to protect their health and prevent adverse reactions.
Choosing the best gluten-free beer starts with reading labels carefully. Look for phrases like โgluten-freeโ, not โgluten-reducedโ, and check for certification logos to ensure the beer meets strict gluten limits.
Understanding ingredient lists is also important; opt for beers brewed with naturally gluten-free grains such as sorghum, rice or millet. Personal taste matters too: consider your preferred beer style, whether pale ale, stout or lager, to find the right flavour profile you enjoy.
For trusted options, Birmingham Brewing Company offers a range of gluten-free beers, including our Sober Brummie Pale Ale and Sober Brummie Stout, all crafted to deliver full flavour without gluten.
Because the process of making gluten-free alternatives is still somewhat in its infancy, there arenโt a huge number of options on the table for those who need a gluten-free beer. Here at the Birmingham Brewing Company, we have made it our goal to make a varied selection of the best gluten-free beers that donโt compromise on taste. On offer are:
If you are looking to avoid gluten but donโt have negative reactions to it, all of our other drinks are brewed to be below 20ppm.
Discover the full flavour of regular beer without the gluten! Birmingham Brewing Companyโs gluten-free range is crafted with care using naturally gluten-free grains like sorghum and millet, delivering crisp, smooth and satisfying beers for every palate.
Generally, low-alcohol beers have fewer calories, and are rich in several vitamins and minerals after fermentation, such as B vitamins and polyphenols, both of which provide several health benefits. Health trends, like dry January, see a spike in sales of low-alcohol beers, as those looking to cut down on booze can still enjoy the same taste without worry.
Beers labelled with 0.0% ABV, making them completely free of alcohol, are perfect for designated drivers, and even with up to 1.2% ABV, you wonโt suffer from intoxication or a hangover the next day.
