Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Food
4 Gluten-Free Beer Alternatives For The Swilling Celiac Sufferer
By
Sarah Nelson
Published Oct 3, 2011
Modified Oct 3, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Sarah Nelson
Published Oct 3, 2011
Modified Oct 3, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
As the celebration of Oktoberfest rages on in New York, it seems only fair to highlight some suds for the gluten-free beer fans among us. More than 2 million Americans currently suffer from celiac disease, a digestive intolerance that does not allow for the absorption of gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. Beer loving adults following a gluten-free diet now have a greater variety of brews to choose from, made with alternative grains, and they don’t ALL taste like piss water.
Reigning Champ: Estrella Damm Daura
ABV: 5.4% Price: $ 9.99 /4 pack
The Spanish-based brew was recently named “World’s Best Gluten-Free Beer” at the World Beer Awards for the second year in a row - and for good reason. Daura manages to retain the same taste and properties as traditional beer by using a progressive method of brewing that still uses barley (rather than rice, sorghum, buckwheat etc.), but polishes away the gluten from it - giving it a very different taste.
Drinkable: Green's Beers
ABV: Endeavor 7%, Mission 6%, Quest 8.5%, Pathfinder 7%. Price: $5.99 /16 oz. bottle
Inspired by strong European beers and brewed in Belgium since 2004, Green’s offers three gluten-free beers in the U.S. market: Discovery Amber Ale, Endeavour Dubbel Ale, and Quest Tripel Ale. Each variety has its own unique flavor palate and is more widely available than Daura.
Fruity Alternative: New Grist
ABV: 5.7% Price: $9.99 /6 pack
Our taster refers to New Grist as the gluten-free cousin of Magic Hat. A very fruity beer produced using sorghum by a small private brewery in Milwaukee, New Grist has been described as sweet, carbonated, earthy and possessing a foul aftertaste. For those of you who enjoyed Magic Hat before your unfortunate diagnosis, this is the beer for you.
Steer Clear:Redbridge
ABV: 4.8% Price: $8.99 /6 pack
Anheuser-Busch's entry into the GF marketplace, Redbridge tastes like the product it is: mass-produced cheap, light beer. Lacking any real hops flavor, Redbridge is the beer to be avoided unless absolutely necessary. It is, however, pretty much the only GF beer you'll ever come across in a bar.
Of course, aside from generally not tasting like real beer, the worst thing about GF beer is its high cost and limited availability. Most grocery store chains, aside from Whole Foods, don’t carry GF beers, though some craft beer like merchants and purveyors (ex. Brooklyn Bier Merchants) do. Additionally, Pie on 4th Ave. in Manhattan offers a wide selection of bottles to be enjoyed alongside their delicious GF pizza.
Tagged
beer month 2011
gluten free beer
Sarah Nelson
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE food
North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.
Egyptian, Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian food is delicious but underrepresented in the city.
By
Robert Sietsema
Published Oct 10, 2026
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
The global dish is shapeshifting and ubiquitous.
By
Robert Sietsema
Food
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
The global dish is shapeshifting and ubiquitous.
By
Robert Sietsema
Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.
By
Sonia Rao
5 NYC banana puddings as good as Magnolia's
By
Hannah Frishberg
Where to eat in Greenpoint, Brooklyn right now, from Polish to Sichuan to Iberian
By
Robert Sietsema
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .