Grapes & Grains

Beer, Wine, Spirits and Food from Happy Harry's

One of the most common questions I get asked is “are there any Gluten Free Beers”?  There is an increasing number of people who are finding out that they are gluten intolerant or have Celiac Disease.   Mayo Clinic defines Celiac Disease as digestive condition triggered by consumption of the protein gluten, which is found in bread, pasta, cookies, pizza crust and many other foods containing wheat, barley or rye. 

If you are suffering from Celiac Disease or have found out you have a gluten intolerance, don’t worry, here is a list of adult beverages that are gluten free! 

 

BEER

Redbridge: made without wheat or barley, so the approximately 3.2 million consumers who are unable to drink beer made with barley due to Celiac Disease or because they follow a wheat-free or gluten-free diet can once again enjoy a great tasting beer. Redbridge is a rich, full-bodied lager brewed from sorghum for a well-balanced, moderately hopped taste. 

 

CIDER

Woodchuck:  made only with apple and fruit, these ciders are clean and refreshing.  Available in four different flavors:  Amber, Granny Smith, Raspberry and Pear. 

 

WINE

All “grape” wines including Port and Sherry are gluten free.  There is a lot of discussion pertaining to whether or not wine is gluten free.  Sometimes wine barrels are sealed with a flour paste before using and then thoroughly cleaned before they are filled.  To be safe, I recommend checking the various winery websites or contacting the winery directly.  Otherwise, purchase wines that have not been aged in oak barrels such as Sauvignon Blanc, White Zinfandel, Riesling, Champagne or Unoaked Chardonnay. 

“Wine Coolers”  like Bartles and James are NOT GLUTEN FREE.  They are malt based which means they are essentially flavored beer.  This includes beverages like Mike’s Hard Lemonade and Smirnoff Ice. 

 

DISTILLED SPIRITS

Tequila:  Any Tequila labeled “100% Agave” is gluten free since it is distilled from the Agave plant. 

Rum:  Rum is distilled from sugar cane and molasses. 

Vodka:  Vodkas that are distilled from potatoes or grapes are gluten free. 

                        Chopin Potato Vodka 

                        Glacier Potato Vodka 

                        Spudka Potato Vodka 

                        Ciroc Grape Vodka, available in regular, berry and coconut 

Brandy and Cognac:  Brandy and Cognac are distilled from grapes and other fruits. 

Note:  There is some debate in regards to distilled spirits.  Some research says that the distillation process removes all the gluten-even from grain based products, while others have stated severe reactions from grain bases spirits.  All of the distilled products above are safe. 

   

SAKE 

Sake is brewed using rice; therefore it is gluten-free.  Some less expensive Sake has a distilled grain spirit added before bottling, so always look for the word “Junmai” on the Sake bottle.  Junmai means pure with no additional ingredients added.