Home/Blogs/Gluten-Free Beer vs. Gluten-Reduced Beer
A gluten-free or a gluten-reduced beer, is a refreshing beverage that is gaining popularity as an alternative for those with allergies or intolerances to gluten, so that they too can enjoy a crisp beer. This blog post will fill you in on the differences between โfreeโ and โreducedโ and which ones are best to drink for drinkers needing a low or no-gluten option.
Gluten-free beers are brewed without the traditional grains that contain gluten, like wheat, rye or barley. Instead they tend to use alternatives like rice, corn, sorghum or buckwheat, and can be a suitable option for people dealing with coeliac disease.
Gluten-reduced beer or low gluten beers on the other hand, like the drinks made here at the Birmingham Brewing Company, are made from traditional grains that are treated with a specific enzyme that breaks down the gluten to lower levels. This can be tolerated by some people who are slightly sensitive to gluten rather than straight up allergic.
The first thing that should be known about gluten-free beers, that like with any preparation zone designed to protect against allergy sufferers, this drink will be brewed in a dedicated or separate facility from others. To ensure that gluten-free beers remain that way, they are tested and re-tested multiple times throughout their more complex production process. It also goes without saying that these beers will be brewed with gluten-free grains only.
Gluten-reduced beer starts with standard beer brewing methods using traditional grains. Like during our fermentation process, a specific enzyme is added to break down gluten proteins. This alters the structure of the gluten rather than completely eliminating it. As a result, the final gluten content can vary between batches, depending on brewing conditions, enzyme effectiveness and testing methods. It can be a good option for those with minor sensitivities.
Most coeliac organisations strongly advise against gluten-reduced beer because they are still made from gluten-containing grains, and the gluten is altered rather than fully removed or not being present to begin with. Current testing methods may not reliably detect fragmented gluten proteins, meaning results can hide the true risk.
Even very low levels of gluten (measured in parts per million) can trigger an immune response in some people with coeliac disease. While gluten-reduced beers may meet legal โgluten-freeโ thresholds in some regions, this doesnโt always mean they are medically safe. For coeliacs, the safest choice is an entirely gluten-free beer.
In the UK, labelling of any glutenโfree products is governed by food allergen law and EU Regulation (EU) Noโฏ828/2014. A product, like our beer options, can only be labelled โglutenโfreeโ if it contains no more than 20โฏparts per million (ppm) of gluten when sold to the consumer. A separate term, โvery low glutenโ (up to 100โฏppm), also exists but is far less commonly used.
These thresholds apply regardless of whether the gluten comes from natural, glutenโfree ingredients or from glutenโcontaining grains that have been processed to reduce their gluten levels.
Our gluten-reduced beers typically taste closer to traditional beer because they are brewed from barley or wheat, giving them the familiar maltiness and body of standard beer. Gluten-free beers, made from alternative grains like sorghum, rice or buckwheat, have historically had a lighter or slightly different flavour profile, but thanks to advancements and experimentation in modern brewing techniques, they have greatly improved their taste and complexity.
Grain choice has a big effect on flavour; sorghum, for instance, can add sweetness, buckwheat a nutty note and rice a clean finish. Both categories now offer a variety of styles, from lagers and ales to stouts and IPAs, but gluten-reduced beers generally retain the closer-to-traditional mouthfeel and richness that many beer drinkers expect.
For the drinkers among us who have coeliac disease, it is really only advisable to drink completely gluten-free beer, as even those with highly reduced gluten content (naturally or otherwise) can still cause far more adverse reactions than a hangover. People with minor gluten-intolerances should be more than fine with our gluten-reduced beers. As well as this, either option can be good for those looking for a healthier lifestyle.
For those with coeliac disease or severe intolerances, it is always important to remember to choose safety over taste.
Yes and no. Gluten reduced and low-gluten beers are the same in the sense that they have smaller gluten contents and should be safe to drink by those with minor intolerances or sensitivities to gluten. The biggest common difference is that a low-gluten beer is naturally lower in gluten content, whereas a gluten-reduced beer has been exposed to enzymes during its brewing process.
Yes, gluten-reduced beers can set off symptoms of intolerance or allergies to gluten or wheat that would be normally seen in those with coeliac disease. It all depends on the severity of your sensitivity, if even the smallest amount can set off your symptoms, then low or reduced drink options are still not safe for you.
Some gluten-reduced beers test under 20โฏppm because of the enzymes added during brewing that break down gluten proteins into smaller fragments. Testing methods, like ELISA, measure specific gluten sequences, and if these sequences are sufficiently broken down, the test may register a level below 20โฏppm.
However, this does not guarantee the beer is completely free of gluten and could still trigger reactions in sensitive individuals. Variations in brewing, enzyme effectiveness and testing accuracy mean results can differ between batches, making โunder 20โฏppmโ not an absolute a measure of safety.
Again, this will depend on your reasoning for a gluten-free diet. If you are doing it because you have coeliac disease or a severe intolerance to gluten, then no, it is not advisable that you drink a reduced or low gluten beer. If you have a mild sensitivity or a non-health reason for not having gluten in your diet, then a reduced beer should be absolutely fine.
As much as all of our beers are clearly marked with whether they are gluten-free, reduced, alcohol free or whatever else, the same cannot always be said about other brands. Some other beer options will have confusing, different terminology on their branding or cases. It is best to do prior research and have an internal list of safe options.
Discover a wide selection of premium gluten-free beers that have been crafted by our experts in Birmingham for maximum taste and safety. Whether you are living with coeliac disease, a strong sensitivity or just prefer a totally gluten-free lifestyle, then our range of drinks offers something for every palette. From a crisp, zesty lager, to a full bodied stout or a traditional tasting IPA, all of our beers are certified gluten-free and vegan so you can sit back and enjoy them with confidence. Browse our full collection today and find your new favourite beverage.
