Beer consumption can cause an allergic reaction. However, most people have a misconception of the symptoms. All forms of alcohol (beer, wine, whiskey) can illicit some side effects, such as nasal congestion and flushing of the skin. These symptoms are not an allergic reaction, but are byproducts of the vasodilatory (dilates blood vessels and increases blood flow) effects of alcohol. Beer allergy is due to an individual being hypersensitive to one or more of the components of beer, such as yeast, hops or barley. These individual components of the beer-brewing process can lead to an allergic response with their own unique symptoms.
Malted Barley
Malted barley is created when the malt grains are soaked and germinated (the process that converts the grain to sugar). An individual with allergies to pollen may be susceptible to malted barley. Allergy to malted barley can cause a wide array of symptoms, including tingling of the face, hives, swelling of lips and tongue, chest discomfort, dizziness and coughing.
Hops
Hops are the component of beer that gives it a bitter flavor. There is a very small, but very real chance of having an allergy to hops. Individuals with sensitivity to hops may experience rhinitis (runny nose), conjunctivitis (swelling or infection of the membrane lining the eyelids), asthma and contact urticaria (rash that forms after contact with hops, similar to poison ivy).
Yeast
Individuals with an allergy to yeast will have an intolerance to beer. Yeast is critical to beer production because it produces the alcohol content. Allergy to yeast can cause a wide variety of symptoms, including sore throat, sneezing, wheezing, abdominal pain, nausea, skin rashes, diarrhea, dizziness, heartburn and a white coated tongue.
