1. Demand for Gluten-Free Alcohol Is Rising
Those suffering from wheat allergies or celiac disease need to avoid gluten. For some, even a small amount of gluten can trigger symptoms. Some estimates put the number of Americans avoiding wheat at 3.2 million. Because of this, the demand for gluten-free alcohol products has increased and continues to rise. This is good news for the gluten-free consumer, who can expect to see options for gluten-free beer and spirits increase.
2. Choose From Several Options
Beer lovers will be happy to know that they have several gluten-free options when it comes to drinking brews. In the U.S., Anheuser-Bush carries Redbridge, a Sorghum Beer made without gluten or wheat. O'Brien Brewery makes Australia's international award-winning gluten-free beer with the slogan "Gluten-Free. Not Taste-Free" from gluten-free ingredients, such as corn, sorghum and buckwheat.
3. Check the Ingredients to Ensure It's Really Gluten-Free
Some breweries claim that they remove the gluten from their beer, but brew it using wheat. However, true gluten-free beer should not be made Even trace amounts of gluten that make it past the filter system can be harmful for those allergic. You may have to contact the company directly to find out the ingredients in your brew.
4. FInd Gluten-Free Spirits and Wine
Tequila should be made from the blue agave plant and is naturally gluten free. However, some cheaper brands may have other ingredients, so check to be sure. While the majority of vodka is made from grain, there are still a number of brands made from potatoes, and thus gluten free. Blue Ice, Cold river Vodka and Jankill are among the gluten-free ones. Wine is almost always gluten free, but check with the manufacturers to make sure nothing was added to the wines and that they were stored in gluten-free containers.
5. Make Sure It's Still Gluten Free
If you take a break from a gluten-free beverage for a while, make sure you verify that the manufacturers haven't changed the recipe. Not all gluten free beers are marked as such, so any change might not be noted on the bottle or can. Some beers, such as Redbridge, are marketed especially for those with Celiac Disease and can be counted on to remain so. Still, it never hurts to double-check.
