Gluten Free Alcohol Guide: Separating Fact from Fiction

Are you looking for gluten-free alcohol? Or perhaps gluten intolerant. We’re not judging here.

And sometimes you want to cut down on some gluten. Well, it’s covered, too.

This guide takes you through that world of gluten-free alcoholic beverages-from beer and wine up to spirits and cocktails-as it helps sort out truth from fiction, giving you good tips on how to read all the labels so that nothing gets cross-contaminated along the way and some recipes as a starting point.

Understanding Gluten and Gluten Intolerance

Fine. Let us just directly dive into that so-called world of gluten-free liquor; for now, let’s take a look at just what gluten is and what gluten intolerance is all about.

This grain protein contributes to the elasticity and chewiness of dough when it involves wheat, barley, or rye. It serves as the first ingredient of bread, pasta, cereals, and baked foods.

It, on the other hand, is the ultimate enemy for some. Here, for people suffering from an autoimmune disease known as celiac disease, damage observed in small intestines takes the form of an immune reaction to gluten followed by resultant malabsorption of nutrients.

Others are diagnosed with non-celiac gluten sensitivity; here, the symptoms such as bloating, abdominal pain, and diarrhea rise as a result of this condition. Other people choose a gluten-free diet to stay healthy and fit.

Gluten-Free Alcoholic Beverages: What You Need to Know

Now, after all these have been done upon gluten and gluten intolerance, here comes gluten-free alcohol.

Beer

This is probably one of the most consumed types of liquor, but it ranks at the highest place in terms of gluten content. And with this so-called “gluten-free brewing,” the beautiful mouth-watering options are already available today.

Another necessary certification that a person should have is the Gluten-Free Certification Organization, also known as the Celiac Support Association. In this regard, beers are brewed under strictly gluten-free processes.

Some popular gluten-free beer brands include:

• Redbridge
• Bard’s
• New Grist
• New Planet

Wine

Wine is also another perfect drink if one wishes to have a gluten-free drink. The good news is that most wines are gluten-free by their nature.

Some wines contain trace amounts of gluten since specific agents used in processing some wines cause fining. Fining agents can include wheat flour or barley. These are used to stabilize and improve the clarification of the wine.

Other ways to avoid taking gluten in wine include checking on GFCO and CSA within the labels on the bottles. Most wines also use gluten-free fining agents such as egg whites or kaolin.

Some popular gluten-free wine brands include:

• Barefoot
• Sutter Home
• Apothic
• Meiomi

Spirits

Some spirits say vodka, gin, and rum are gluten-free. Some will contain gluten, though, because the grains used in their production contain gluten.

For example, spirits of preference can be gluten-free by checking for the GFCO or CSA seal. Alternatively, other grains, such as corn or potato, can be used to prepare spirits since they wouldn’t have gluten to begin with.

Some popular gluten-free spirit brands include:

• Tito’s Handmade Vodka
• Bombay Sapphire Gin
• Bacardi Rum
• Captain Morgan Rum

Tips for Reading Labels and Avoiding Cross-Contamination

Now, consider the alcohol. Be sure to read the labels carefully and avoid cross-contamination with gluten-free alcohol.

Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Third-party certifications – GFCO or CSA must be shown.
• Scan for products that contain sources of gluten from wheat, barley or rye.
• Designed to be aware of cross-contamination while being in the same premises and gluten-containing ingredients with gluten-free ingredients.
• Utilize products only from entirely gluten-free manufacturing facilities for the least possible degree of cross-contamination.

Gluten-Free Cocktail Recipes

Knowing all of that, let’s have some fun and play around with these divine gluten-free cocktail recipes now.

Here are a few of them:

• Gluten-free Mojito: Glue-free rum, lime juice, mint and soda water.

• Gluten Free Margarita

Triple sec, lime juice, tequila, etc.

Conclusion

It wasn’t really that strange to see gluten-free alcohol lately because brewing and distilling in gluten-free is the new craze today.

Whether the person is sensitive to gluten or only intends to cut down some of his intake of gluten, this book will most certainly motivate and enlighten him enough to go ahead and drink the drink. Also, look for the label that checks cross-contamination of gluten. Third, use only products coming from dedicated gluten-free facilities.

Cheers to drinking gluten-free!

FAQs:

Some of the most frequently asked questions about gluten-free alcohol:

Q: What is gluten, and what’s it doing to those people with gluten intolerance or sensitivity?

It damages the small intestine and is a protein that is found in wheat, barley, and rye, hence very badly absorbing nutrients in most people suffering from celiac disease or non-celiac gluten intolerance.

Q: Enumerate typical sources of gluten-containing ingredients in alcoholic beverages

Likely, the ingredients of alcohol-containing gluten are grain-based spirits, rye-based beer, filled gluten-containing agents, and wheat.

Q: How would one ever know if a gluten-free drink is contaminated?

Mark if it is gluten-free or not, and list out the primary ingredients that have gluten. Never be too scared to ask your bartender or server what is gluten-free.

Q: What are some of the biggest and best gluten-free beers, wines, and spirits?

Some major gluten-free brands include Redbridge, Barefoot, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, and Bacardi Rum.