Beer is traditionally made from barley, which has long made the classic brew off limits to people on gluten-free diets. Now, however, with microbreweries, craft breweries, and major international companies experimenting with sorghum-, millet-, rice- and buckwheat-based beers, celiac patients and others on gluten-free diets have a widening variety of truly tasty gluten-free beers to choose from. (At the bottom each page of this article, you can share your opinion: What's your favorite gluten-free beer?)
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NORTH AMERICAN BREWERS OF GLUTEN-FREE BEER
Bard's Tale Golder Dragon gluten-free lager, made from 100% sorghum, is available online (for shipping within the U.S.) from
Internet Wines.
Ramapo Valley Brewery's gluten-free honey lager took first prize in the 2006
Gluten Free Beer Festival. The gluten-free beer is brewed in its own house, ensuring freedom from cross-contamination. Six-packs are available online (for shipping within the U.S.) at
Internet Wines.
In 2006, Anheuser-Busch introduced its gluten-free Redbridge Beer, a full-bodied lager brewed from sorghum. Six-packs are available online (for shipping within the U.S.) from
Internet Wines.
This award-winning Milwaukee microbrewery now offers two gluten-free beers: Mbege Ale and Shakparo Ale. Both are African-style beers brewed with sorghum and millet, originally conceived in an effort to provide a traditional African-style beer for Milwaukee's African World Festival.
Lakefront Brewery's New Grist, brewed from sorghum, hops, water, rice and gluten-free yeast grown on molasses, won an award for "Most Promising New Option and Excellence in its Range of Flavors" at the 2006
Gluten Free Beer Festival. New Grist is currently available nationwide in stores and online (for shipping within the U.S.) at
Internet Wines.
Among the products offered by this Canadian microbrewery is the gluten-free La Messagere, brewed from rice and buckwheat. (Their website lists locations in Canada where it can be purchased.)
GLUTEN-FREE BREWERS OUTSIDE NORTH AMERICA
O'Brien Brewing is a producer of premium beers for the Australian and international markets.
Silly Yak's Aztec Gold gluten free pale ale won a Bronze Medal at the 2006 Australian International Beer Awards, one of the largest mainstream beer competitions in the world. The company's products are sold throughout Australia.
Have you had a chance to try some gluten-free beer? Did you like it? Share your gluten-free beer experiences and advice.