Gwynedd Stuart
Justine Sterling
Drinking the best gluten-free beer shouldn’t feel like punishment for the celiac afflicted. Yes, beer is generally packed with grains, but plenty of brands—in their benevolence—have figured out how to make perfectly delicious gluten-free and reduced-gluten brews.
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Don’t gloss over that last sentence: Some of the beers on this list are reduced gluten rather than totally gluten free. Gluten-free beers are generally brewed with gluten-free grains like corn, millet, and sorghum. Gluten-reduced beers are brewed with an enzyme that breaks down gluten, but research on whether gluten-reduced beers are safe for people who are gluten intolerant is apparently inconclusive. If you are gluten intolerant, it’s probably wise to stick to gluten-free brews (or, you know, drinks that are naturally gluten free, like hard seltzer).
Okay, we don’t need to micromanage your gluten consumption—we just need to tell you which gluten-free beers taste good, right? Without further ado, these are the best gluten-free beers (and the best gluten-reduced beers) we tried during our in-office taste tests.
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- Redbridge
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Redbridge scores big points for existing and being available in lots of stores, not just specialty stores in coastal cities. To brew this GF beer, Anhueser-Busch ditched barley in favor of sorghum to create a lager that’s light, refreshing, and totally palatable. Nothing about this beer is going to set your taste buds on fire, but if you’re looking for something to replace that domestic dad beer you drink too many of during football games, Redbridge is the best gluten-free beer you can buy. — Gwynedd Stuart
Credit: Liv Averett / Total Wine & Spirits
- Holidaily Brewing Co. Favorite Blonde
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Colorado-based Holidaily brewing was a new brewery for me—but Logan, Sporked’s resident gluten-free gal, was familiar and excited to see it in our tasting line-up. And rightly so. All of the gluten-free beers we tried from Holidaily were good, but two stood out above the rest. First up, the Favorite Blonde, made with millet and buckwheat. It’s fruity—almost peachy—and very gentle. It’s not super yeasty and definitely not super hoppy. It’s extremely easy drinking and you’d never know it was a GF beer by the flavor. — Justine Sterling
Credit: Liv Averett / Holidaily
- Omission
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When I ordered some cans of Omission for this taste test, I didn’t realize they were gluten reduced rather than gluten free. But if you aren’t hard-core gluten insensitive and are just looking for a way to casually reduce your gluten intake, I think these brews are still worth a look (or, er, a sip). Both the Golden Ale and the Wheat Ale from Omission are super light, lovely, and quaffable; if you like a little bit of citrusy twang to your beer, opt for the wheat ale. Bonus: They’re super low carb and just feel nice and light as you drink. In my notes I said, “These are two of the best beers I’ve had in general lately,” and that stands! — Gwynedd Stuart
Credit: Liv Averett / Total Wine & Spirits
- Holidaily Brewing Co. Big Henry Hazy IPA
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This gluten-free IPA is the best gluten-free beer of all the Holidaily GF beer we tried. Like the Favorite Blonde, it’s made with millet and buckwheat. It has that nice, tropical flavor that you get from some hazy IPAs—but it’s not too crazy chewy. The hops are there, for sure, but it’s not, as some IPA drinkers would say, “dank.” Even my colleague Logan, an IPA skeptic, liked this brew. It’s a friendly, easy going IPA—a real crowd pleaser. — Justine Sterling
Credit: Liv Averett / Holidaily
- Glutenberg
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All in all, Glutenberg makes the best gluten-free beer we tasted. We tried four varieties—White, Stout, Red, and IPA—and honestly can’t pick a favorite. They’re all exceptional and they’re all brewed with alternative grains like corn, millet, and buckwheat. If you’re into the fresh, citrusy taste of a Belgian White, opt for Glutenberg White. If you like the grassy, floral nature of a hoppy brew, go for Glutenberg IPA. The Red Ale is classically tangy and malty and rich—great with food. Glutenberg Stout was my personal favorite—it’s rich, chocolatey, and has a nice creamy head. I’d drink it in lieu of dessert, but these are tasty enough to enjoy any time. If you can get your gluten-free mitts on Glutenberg beer, buy some. — Gwynedd Stuart
Credit: Liv Averett / Total Wine & Spirits
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Best Blonde Ale
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Best of the Best
Danny Palumbo
Look out for Lakefront Brewery’s New Grist Pilsner out of Milwaukee, WI! It was the first gluten-free beer given approval to be produced in the US! Shameless plug from a Wisconsinite who LOVES craft beer!
I‘ve tried them all and you’re spot on. Gutenberg is by far the best. Stout and IPA are my 2 favorites. I would drink this beer if I wasn’t celiac.
Wrong again, but again might be selection issues. When I first found Glutenburg, it was the first GF bear I’d tried. And man, was I sad, before my Celiac diagnosis I had tried for YEARS to get use to and find good beer, the hunt was treacherous and exhausting. But before it was over, and prior to the diagnosis, I had finally got use to them and found QUALITY good tasting beers… Glutenburg was not that. I would say it was middle of the road at best. Which was a stark disappointment to what I had expected. The journey however was not over, Schnitzer Brau Gluten Free, proved to be the winner. Giving some of the hopping flavor and smooth taste I had missed. Previously I was into Belgian Blue Moons, but this gaped the bridge for me. Taste like a classic beer, and I feel would be an excellent addition to any beer battered foods. Yum.
If you can get your hands on it, Holidaily out of Colorado makes amazing Gluten Free beer. Stone Delicious IPA is also great!