Top 5 Gluten-Free Beers You Need To Try
Companies like Glutenberg and Omission specialize in gluten-free beers and have pushed the gluten-free beer market to new heights. Now, other brewers are jumping on the band wagon and at least creating one gluten-free beer, so that nobody is left without a beer in hand. Continue reading to find out the top 5 gluten free beers to try!
By The Beer Community on Jan. 04, 2017
Gluten-Free Beer
Many people’s reaction to gluten free beers is “yuck”! But the truth is, brewing gluten free has come a long way. There are brewers who specialize only in gluten-free beers, like Glutenberg and Omission Brewery, and others who produce one or two just to keep things interesting. While in the beginning when this industry first started to take off, a lot of the brews were not fabulous, but now you’d be hard pressed to taste the difference.
While most of us are lucky enough to have a choice, people with Celiac Disease, gluten sensitivities or other dietary restrictions do not, so we have put together a quick list with the five gluten-free beers that we thought were so close to the original that you might not be able to tell the difference in a blind tasting.
5 Best Gluten Free Beers:
1. India Pale Ale – Glutenberg
A true little bomb of flavours, it presents a perfect harmony between citrus aroma, hop freshness and bitterness. It guarantees a soft contact with taste buds, releasing apricot and soft caramel notes. Its exacerbated dry side makes its bouquet of flavours shine and ensures its good aromatic persistence.
ABV%: 6 IBU: 76
2. New Grist – Lakefront Brewery
New Grist is brewed from sorghum, rice, hops, water and yeast. These ingredients are carefully combined to form a crisp, refreshing “session ale” brewed for those on a gluten-free diet, or anyone with an appreciation for a great tasting, handmade beer.
ABV%: 5.1
3. Glutiny Pale Ale – New Belgium Brewing
New Belgium armed the beer with a hefty dose of exotic Equinox hops, lending breezy guava, papaya and stone fruits to a wash of sweet, slightly herbal malt flavors. They then employed a special enzyme during the brewing process, which breaks down the gluten. Like any delicious pale ale, expect swift bitterness in the swallow and an assertively dry finish, just how most like it.
ABV%: 6 IBU: 30
4. Pale Ale – Omission Beer
Bold and hoppy, Omission Pale Ale is a hop-forward American Pale Ale, brewed to showcase the Cascade hop profile. Amber in color, Omission Pale Ale’s floral aroma is complimented by caramel malt body, making for a delicious craft beer.
ABV%: 5.8 IBU: 33
5. Forager Lager – Whistler Brewing
Whistler Brewing company hunted and gathered an assortment of flavours to create this golden amber lager. With a grist of sorghum and rice, it’s hop-forward and full of character. This gluten free beer won a bronze medal at the World Beer Championships.
ABV%: 5 IBU: 35
For other great recommendations on gluten free beers, check out Bon Appetit’s slideshow 17 Gluten-Free Beers That Actually Taste Good, Huffington Post’s These 5 Gluten-Free Beers Taste Like The Real Thing and Draft Magazine`s 12 Actually Delicious Gluten-Free Beers.
So next time you throw a party, don’t leave your friends with Celiac or other sensitivities out of the beer festivity fun. Pick up a 6-pack for them and give one a go yourself. We think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
Check out these other great beer articles while sipping on your favourite gluten free beer:
Alberta Beers to Try in the New Year
The Role of the Cicerone
Russia is Jumping on the Craft Beer Wagon