If you’re attempting Dry January this year, and you’re missing a good gluten free beer, then this post is for you!
When I attempted it last year (successfully, may I add), I discovered a bunch of gluten free and alcohol free beers, and I was pleasantly surprised with how many different styles of them there actually are! And the quality of them is so much better than what I had anticipated.
Although this list mentions just 6 great beers, some of these breweries actually have an awesome selection of gluten free and alcohol free beers of different styles, and I encourage you guys to have a look on their websites to discover more.
I must stress that when I say Alcohol Free, that term covers anything less than 0.5% ABV.
And when I say ‘Gluten Free’, as a coeliac, this means that it measures at less than 20ppm (the level deemed safe here in the UK). A lot of gluten free beers are made with gluten containing grains and the brewing process breaks down the gluten to a coeliac safe level. By law, a manufacturer can only label their beer ‘gluten free’ if it’s been tested and contains 20ppm or less of gluten.
I am aware that I have some readers and online followers who can’t tolerate gluten free beer containing barley or malts of any amount, and this list contains quite a few. If you are one of those people, then sadly this list may not be for you. I am, however, on the lookout for AF and GF beer made with alternative grains and will add any I find to the list.
Free From Beer Co. IPA (0.5% ABV)
Vegan? Yes
‘A low ABV craft IPA, a malty base balanced with Azacca and Mandarina Bavaria hops. With a typical orange flavour brought through from the Mandarina Bavaria a modest bitterness and with mango, pineapple and some pine and tangerine-esque qualities.’
This beer regularly undergoes testing and is under 15ppm.
Where can I buy it?
You can buy it directly from the website and they come in packs of 4, and packs of 12 330ml cans.
Free Damm 0.00% ABV
Vegan? Yes
‘Brewed from malt, hops, yeast and rice, Free Damm is a refreshing clear, golden alcohol free lager with the right amount of bitterness.’
This beer is gluten-removed and carries the crossed grain symbol, meaning it tests at less than 20ppm and therefore is coeliac-safe.
Where can I buy it?
You can buy this in some supermarkets, and from online retailers. I have seen this in Morrison’s before (it’s usually in with the regular alcohol free beer) and it’s also available in Waitrose, Tesco, on Ocado and in Sainsbury’s in a 4 pack of 330ml cans.
Birmingham Brewing Co – Sober Brummie 0.5%ABV
Vegan? Yes.
This is a triple hopped pale ale with full on citrus flavours. It’s zingy and fresh and still has all the great characteristics of a pale ale, despite being alcohol free.
Like all of their beers, the gluten is removed during the brewing process.
Where can I buy it?
This is available to purchase online through their website in single cans, 4 packs, or a case of 12.
Big Drop Brewing Co. – Pine Trail Pale Ale 0.5% ABV
Vegan? No as it contains lactose.
Alcohol-free Pale Ale. A delight for the senses, this beer delivers on all levels. Rosy floral aromas are immediate as you pour, with a light and limey citrus bite on the palate, with a bitterness to finish. This brewery make other award winning alcohol free and gluten free beers, and make alcohol free beer feel a lot less boring and repetitive.
This is a gluten-removed beer and comes in at less than 10ppm (Deemed safe by Coeliac UK standards)
Where can I buy it?
You can purchase direct from their website along with their other alcohol free and gluten free beers, and you might even be able to find it at Nando’s.
UNLTD Lager 0.5% ABV
Vegan? Yes.
A thirst-quenching alcohol free lager with citrus aromas, a hint of honey and caramel, rounded off with a subtle bitter finish. Like most of the beers on this list, this one is has the gluten removed in the brewing process, and the gluten content is less than 20ppm.
This one is only 13 calories a bottle making it one of the lowest calorie drinks on the market, too.
Where can I buy it?
You can buy it in bottles on their website in different sizes of cases.
Jump Ship Brewing Pale Ale 0.5%ABV
Vegan? Yes.
This full-bodied pale ale won Bronze at the Scottish Beer Awards in 2021 and is definitely one to try if you love your craft beers, but not the hangover.
‘Malty base notes, topped with fruity hops, combine with a kick of lime to give this beer a satisfyingly bitter finish.’ Once again, the gluten is removed during the brewing process, to a level safe for coeliacs.
Much like Big Drop, Jump Ship Brewing make a good selection of gluten free and alcohol free beers, including a stout. They have even won at the Free From Food Awards too.
Where can I buy it?
You can buy this directly from their website, in a choice of 6, 12 or 24 cans.
I feel like this has only scratched the surface on the amount of gluten free and alcohol free beers that are available, and I’ve still got a list as long as my arm of ones I’m yet to try. As mentioned before, I heavily encourage you to have a browse on their websites for other styles like stouts, craft lagers, etc…
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