What's Safe and What's Not in Gluten-Free Alcohol

Alcohol is the one Gotcha for many people with Celiac disease and non-Celiac gluten sensitivity.

If you’re special dieting to remove gluten, you probably already know that removing gluten from your meals is relatively easy. However, it can get tricky when it comes to beverages, especially beers—still, it is based on alcoholic drinks.

The following blog post will focus on gluten-free alcohol and differentiate between beer types and gluten-free alcohol. We will also discuss some critical and tasty gluten-free drinks in this world. Read on to learn more!

What is gluten-free alcohol? 

It refers to alcoholic beverages that do not contain gluten-containing grains.

All forms of alcohol are safe for those who have celiac disease or gluten (1). Intolealcoholes are vodka, rum, tequila, wine, cider, and all distilled spirits that can be gluten-free if made correctly.

Beer is not also classified as gluten-free because it is prepared from barley. However, it is very gluten-free in winter, so you can cook and make gluten-free beers.

While most celiac disease or gluten intoleragluten-freers cannot consume gluten in any measure, others can take gluten in limited quantities.

This is termed the “tolerance threshold.” Thus, such bodybuilders or athletes might find beer safe for consumption in acceptable quantities.

The tolerance level may, though, be different for different people. Therefore, it is always wise to consult the doctor or dietitian as you embark on taking any alcohol if you have any other health issues (2).

Which are the available gluten-free alcoholic beverages?

Numerous varieties of alcohol are gluten-free, such as:

Wine: All wine is declared gluten-free because the gluten proteins float up during fermentation and are gluten-free.

Spirits are often considered gluten-free options for those with dietary restrictions. Most spirits are also gluten-free. However, some flavored vodka or whiskey products may contain flavoring, such as wheat or barley-based alcohol (3). 

Beer: Nowadays, plenty of gluten-free beers are barley-based grains other than barley, including sorghum, rice, and buckwheat. 

Hard cider: It is important to note that cider is a gluten-free beverage made from apples. Some brands offer gluten-free beverages, such as flavorings, which may contain gluten. It is recommended to read the label beforehand, as it may contain dust.

Alcohol is okay for the label. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease that severely impacts the human digestive system. People with Celiac disease cannot consume foods containing gluten, a protein element found in wheat, barley, and rye.

It is challenging to identify acceptable alcoholic products because most beers and wines are produced using grains, a common source of gluten.

Happily, some cocktails are okay for those with celiac disease. These include most spirits, alongside gluten-free beers and wines, for example.

Here is a more detailed list of gluten-free foods for people with celiac disease:

When choosing distilled alcohol, hard liquors, such as vodka, gin, rum, tequila, whisky, or bourbon, can be part of a gluten-free regimen.

Gluten-free beers: Redbridge Beer, Estrella Damm Daura, Green’s Amber Ale, New Grist Pilsner

Beringer Founders' Estate Chardonnay (white), Joel Gott 805 (red), and Cavit Pinot Grigio (white) are available without gluten.

There should be no problem finding plenty of prefabricated foods whose safety lies within the range of your or any other specific individual’s gluten tolerance level.

While most people diagnosed with celiac disease can consume small amounts of beer, wine, or any other alcoholic beverage that contains more than 100 ppm of gluten and has no effects at all, some individuals may experience severe reactions even with trace amounts of gluten (4).

If that is not clear, then you should probably avoid it altogether, just in case your body cannot handle alcohol prepared from grains containing gl

Gen Tips On How To Ensure The Consumption Of Safe Gluten-Free Alcohol

The first thing you are forced to surrender the moment you have celiac disease or gluten intolerance is beverage alcohol, especially those made from gluten. Beer, wine, and stiff liquor drinks also contain gluten, though in smaller quantities than in beer (5). 

However, some people with celiac disease or any other gluten intolerance can safely consume alcoholic beverages. The following advice will help you ensure that the alcohol you are consuming is safe and gluten-free:

Wine: Wine is produced with strictly gluten-free grapes, and it’s therefore safe for consumption by carriers of gluten intolerances. However, some foods might be processed using wheat starch or other gluten-containing material that can affect those with gluten sensitivities. Therefore, you should read the label to determine whether the wine you drink is 100% gluten-free.

Beer: Although the grains from which beer is brewed contain gluten, it is somewhat surprising that some beer brands today feature Gluten-Free Beer. If you want to ensure that the beer you are drinking is gluten-free, you should read the label.

Liquor: Alcohol is generally fermented grains of gluten that have been distilled. Many brands are manufactured with gluten and contain barley, which are gluten-containing grains; therefore, when consuming these products, make sure that the alcohol is gluten-free. Therefore, NG fulfills the gluten standards.

Conclusion

While eating gluten puts certain gluten-free on your diet, it needn’t exclude the pleasures of the occasional cocktail. Enough choices are offered to those who consume gluten-free products; you can have your beers stress-free.

There will be many safe beverages to satisfy your desire for a cold beverage, whether you are looking for wine and spirits or beers and cider. You do not want to drink something with some form of wheat just because you're drinking, so always check the labels. Cheers!

🍹 Sip without worry! Discover delicious gluten-free drink options that keep the fun and ditch the gluten! 🥂🍻

FAQs

What is gluten-free alcohol?

Any alcoholic beverage that is free of gluten, a protein found in gluten grains like wheat, barley, and rye, is called gluten-free alcohol. These beverages are safe for individuals following a gluten-free diet, particularly those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance. Options like vodka made from potatoes, certain types of rum, and tequila are typically considered gluten-free.

Can vodka be gluten-free?

Yes, vodka can be gluten-free. While many traditional vodka brands are made from wheat or barley and thus contain gluten, many brands produce vodka made from potatoes, corn, or other gluten-free grains. Always check the label to ensure it is marked as gluten-free, especially if you have celiac disease.

Can individuals with celiac disease safely consume gluten-free beer?

People with Celiac disease can safely consume gluten-free beer as long as it is made from gluten-free grains like millet, rice, or sorghum. However, some beers labeled "gluten-removed" might still contain trace amounts of gluten and could pose a risk, so choosing brands labeled explicitly as gluten-free is essential.

What is gluten-free alcohol?

Gluten-free alcohol is any alcoholic beverage that does not contain gluten, a protein found in certain grains such as wheat, barley, and rye. This includes drinks made from naturally gluten-free grains, like corn, rice, or sorghum, and spirits that undergo a distillation process that removes any gluten content. Selecting beverages marked as gluten-free is essential for people on a gluten-free diet, particularly those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance.

Can distilled liquors like vodka and gin be considered gluten-free?

Yes, vodka and gin can be considered gluten-free if made from gluten-free sources. For instance, vodka made from potatoes or corn is naturally gluten-free. However, some brands may use grains like wheat or rye, which contain gluten. Those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance should always verify that the product is safe by reading the label or the distillery's information.

What types of alcoholic beverages are gluten-free?

Many alcoholic beverages are gluten-free, including rum, tequila, vodka (if made from gluten-free ingredients), and hard cider. Additionally, gluten-free beers brewed using gluten-free grains such as sorghum or rice are available, providing great alcohol options for those with dietary restrictions. Products labeled as gluten-free should always be sought after to ensure they are safe to eat.

Related Studies: 

Title: Distilled Spirits and Celiac Disease Safety
This study evaluated celiac disease patients who occasionally ingested gluten, finding that many did not show significant symptoms or intestinal damage, suggesting some tolerance may exist.

DOI: 10.1186/s12916-020-1511-6

Title: Tolerance Thresholds for Gluten
This trial established that individuals with celiac disease could tolerate up to 10 mg of gluten daily without significant intestinal damage.

DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/85.1.160

Title: Gluten-Free vs. Gluten-Removed Beers
This assessment clarifies that beers labeled "gluten removed" may still contain harmful gluten levels for those with celiac disease, emphasizing caution.

DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2020.1511

Title: Gluten Content in Wine Production
This study discusses how specific wine production processes can introduce gluten, although most wines are considered gluten-free due to their ingredients.

DOI: 10.1021/jf502816h

Title: Celiac Disease and Gluten-Free Diet Requirements
This overview emphasizes the critical need for a strict gluten-free diet in managing celiac disease to prevent serious health complications.

DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1611747