Gluten-Free Beer Explained: Safe Options for People with Celiac Disease

Beer flight sampler

If you need to follow be gluten-free, whether due to celiac disease, an autoimmune condition, gluten intolerance, or another medical reason, one of the first questions you may ask is:

“Do I need to give up beer?”

The answer is yes and no.

Yes, you’ll need to give up the beer you’ve been drinking. But the good news? You don’t have to give up beer entirely. There are safe, gluten-free beer options available for people with celiac disease.

Let’s break it all down.

Is Gluten-Removed (or Gluten-Reduced) Beer Safe?

Short answer: NO.

Gluten-removed (or gluten-reduced) beers are not safe for people with celiac disease.

These beers start begin as regular beer, brewed with gluten-containing grains like barley. Brewers then use enzymes to break down the gluten after brewing. While this process may reduce detectable gluten levels, there is no universally accepted or reliable test to confirm that the remaining gluten fragments are safe for those with celiac disease.

According to Beyond Celiac:

“The current consensus is that gluten-removed beers are not yet safe for those with celiac disease.”

A gluten-removed beer can still trigger an autoimmune response in people with celiac disease. For me, and for many in the celiac community, that risk simply isn’t worth it.

What Gluten-Free Beer Is Safe?

Only beer that is:

• Made with 100% gluten-free ingredients

• Brewed on dedicated gluten-free equipment (or in a fully gluten-free facility)

  
  

Most gluten-free beers are brewed using grains such as:

• Millet

• Buckwheat

• Sorghum

• Rice

• Corn

  
  

Do they taste different than traditional barley-based beer? Sometimes. But after nearly 13 years gluten-free, I honestly don’t even notice anymore.

My Favorite Gluten-Free Beers

Glutenberg (My All-Time Favorite)

Glutenberg is my overall favorite gluten-free brewery.

My favorite? Glutenberg Blonde

Glutenberg was founded by David Cayer and Julien Niquet after Julien was diagnosed with celiac disease and was frustrated by the lack of high-quality gluten-free beer options. Their mission was simple: create great beer that just happens to be gluten-free. They offer an impressive lineup, including:

• Blonde

• IPA

• Pale Ale

• Red Ale

• White Ale

• Seasonal and limited releases like Stouts, Gose, and Double IPAs

Unfortunately, Glutenberg can be hard to find in the U.S. right now due to import tariffs, but if you see it, grab it.

Ghostfish Brewing Company

Located in Seattle, Washington, Ghostfish is a fully dedicated gluten-free brewery.

My favorite? Meteor Shower 

Ghostfish was founded by friends Randy Bachman and Brian Thiel, who teamed up with homebrewer John “Igliashon” Yerger, who was diagnosed with gluten intolerance and wanted better beer options. Brian was also searching for gluten-free beer for his wife after her celiac diagnosis. Through a series of chance connections, Ghostfish was born.

They offer a wide range of styles and are a favorite among gluten-free beer lovers nationwide.

Departed Soles Brewing Company

Located in Jersey City, New Jersey, Departed Soles offers both gluten-containing and gluten-free beer, but takes gluten-free brewing very seriously. All gluten-free ingredients are certified gluten-free, and equipment is thoroughly cleaned to prevent cross-contact.

The brewery was founded by best friends Brian Kulbacki and Chris Ward. Chris had celiac disease and wanted to enjoy beer safely with friends. After Chris’s tragic passing, Brian committed to brewing gluten-free beer in his honor.

My favorite from Departed Soles? Brrr-Berry.

I’d love to try more, but availability can be limited depending on where you live.

B.C. Brewery – CEAL Team

B.C. Brewery is located in Hunt Valley, Maryland, and produces both traditional and gluten-free beer. Their dedicated gluten-free line is called CEAL Team.

All CEAL Team beers are made using certified gluten-free ingredients and brewed on dedicated gluten-free equipment, making them a safe option for those with celiac disease.

My favorite from B.C. Brewery? The Blonde and the Pumpkin  

B.C. Brewery began brewing gluten-free beer after a former employee joined the brewery with celiac disease, inspiring them to create safe gluten-free beer. A reminder of how often the best gluten-free options come from personal experience and advocacy.

Holidaily Brewing Company (On My Wish List)

Holidaily is based in Colorado and is not yet available on the East Coast, but I hear nothing but great things. The brewery was founded by Karen Hertz, a two-time cancer survivor who adopted a gluten-free lifestyle as part of her treatment and healing journey. This is one gluten-free brewery I can’t wait to try!

Final Thoughts

If you have celiac disease, beer isn’t off the table, but choosing the right beer matters. Skip gluten-removed beers and stick with brands that are:

• Truly gluten-free

• Brewed with gluten-free grains

• Transparent about their processes

  
  

Safe beer does exist, and it keeps getting better thanks to breweries that understand and respect the celiac community. Sharing trusted gluten-free finds helps all of us enjoy life and beer more safely. Do you have a favorite gluten-free beer I should try next?