‘The aroma of a wet spaniel’: The best and worst gluten-free beers
The UK is the fastest-growing market for gluten-free beers in Europe, with sales currently standing at around £155 million a year and expected to increase in value by seven per cent by 2031. And while those with a gluten intolerance will understandably reach for a G-free option, lots of drinkers with no obvious sensitivity are also buying them. Some believe that they feel less bloated after drinking gluten-free beers than their standard equivalents, though the research on this is patchy.
I tried a range of widely available gluten-free beers so you can make an informed choice when out shopping. But do look around for local brewery offerings as there are hundreds of smaller breweries, including Williams Bros, Fierce and Burnt Mill with gluten-free brews.
Please be aware that some of the beers have non-gluten-free counterparts with very similar packaging – so, if you do struggle with gluten, be careful when picking them off the shelf.
How we tested
All beers were tasted blind to remove any brand or personal bias and were served at the appropriate temperature.
Taste test
FAQs
How is gluten-free beer made?
The majority of gluten-free beers available in the UK are made by using an enzyme that breaks down gluten in beer to below 20ppm, making it safe for most people to drink according to both UK and EU laws. A small number of beers use alternative grain sources instead, such as sorghum, millet, buckwheat or rice that are naturally gluten free.
Is gluten-free beer better for you?
One of the main factors in the G-free craze is the demonisation of gluten online and the constant search for the next ‘get thin quick’ scheme. Although, as the Zoe website states, “a gluten-free diet doesn’t appear to have any health benefits if you don’t have issues with gluten.” Its US medical director and board-certified gastroenterologist, Dr Will Bulsiewicz, says that a lot of studies that people quote to prove gluten is problematic have been done in labs and not on human subjects in the real world. It’s clear that more research is needed.
However, it’s important not to dismiss that there has been a rise in diagnoses of coeliac disease and it is believed that one per cent of the population suffers from it, according to the NHS website. But, Coeliac UK warns that only 36 per cent of those affected by foods containing wheat, barley and rye are medically diagnosed. It is a serious condition that, if left untreated, can cause gut damage and serious health complications.
Does gluten-free beer contain fewer calories?
Since most of the calories come from the alcohol itself, the majority of gluten-free beers contain roughly the same number of calories as standard beers. The main difference I find in a lot of these beers is that they lack a bit of body, but that’s it really.
