Is it hops gluten free? Navigating the World of Hops in Gluten-Free Beers

Introduction

Yes, hops are gluten-free. Hops are a product that by its nature does not contain gluten. It is a climbing plant native to Europe, Western Asia and North America. The unfertilized female flower is the one used for brewing beer.

Beer is typically brewed with barley, yeast, hops, and water. Gluten is found in wheat, barley, rye and other related grains that are used in the brewing process of most beers. Hops, not being related to grains, do not contain gluten.

However, there are gluten-free beers made from rice, sorghum, malted barley or soy protein. Hops are part of the ingredients in beer, but they do not contain gluten.

Hops make the beer foam more stable, retain its freshness and stimulate appetite. The bitter taste and aroma so characteristic of beer is given by hops.

Warning

Great care should be taken with gluten-reduced beers, as they contain gluten, even to a lesser extent. It is best to opt for beers that contain a label certifying that they are gluten-free. 

Gluten-free beer list: our recommendations

In the beer-making process, wheat, barley or rye are central elements. However, today there are some gluten-free beer options that allow safe consumption, without losing the quality and flavor of a classic beer.

Gluten-free beers are made from rice, sorghum or corn. Here are some recommendations:

Bard’s Beer 

It is a beer created by Kevin Koplowitz and Craig Belser. It does not contain gluten and is made from 100% malted sorghum. It is one of the most popular brands in the United States. It is sold in cans made of a light material that makes it easy to recycle.

Glutenberg

It is a gluten-free beer, founded in 2011 and based in Canada. It has won awards, gold, silver and bronze in the gluten-free beer category of the 2012 World Beer Cup.

All Gutenberg beers are 100% gluten-free and with high-quality ingredients. The product line includes several styles of beers: Blonde, IPA, Pale Ale, Stout and Session IPA.

Holiday Brewing Company 

It is a company that emerged in 2016 in Colorado and specializes in the manufacturing of gluten-free beers. It is a woman-owned business, founded by Karen Hertz, and has certifications from the Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO).

It is made with high-quality local ingredients and its product line includes the styles: IPA, Blonde, Brown and Belgian Ale.

It is available in Colorado, Texas, California, Kansas, Arizona and Wyoming. In Colorado there are two taverns in Golden and Greenwood Village.

New Belgium Glutiny Pale Ale

It is a gluten-free beer made by New Belgium Brewing Company. It is made from malted barley and hops. Those who have tasted it highlight its light and clean malt aroma with a touch of toasted grain that gives it a pleasant flavor.

On Untappd, New Belgium Glutiny Pale Ale has a certification of 3.3 out of 5 with more than 27,000 reviews and ratings.

Omissión Brewing Co.

It was founded in Portland, Oregon in 2012. It is a craft beer, brewed with traditional ingredients, including malted barley to eliminate gluten.

Omission’s gluten-free brewing is patented and produced in in-house, independent laboratories using ELISA gluten testing.

Omission Brewing Co. has a variety of beer styles including IPA, Pale Ale, Lager and Seasonal.

Redbrige Beer

It is a gluten-free beer produced by Anheuser-Busch. It is made with sorghum, making it a rich, full-bodied beer with a balanced and moderate flavor due to the hops.

Sufferfest Beer Company

The company was founded in 2016 in San Francisco, California. It is a craft beer focused on active and athletic people.

It is made with high quality ingredients and is low in calories and carbohydrates. There are a variety of styles brewed by Sufferfest Beer Company including IPA, Pilsner and Lager.

Two Brothers Prairie Path Golden Ale 

It is a Belgian-style golden beer. It has a delicious flavor, slightly bitter and refreshing, with a complex sweet and fruity malt character and a light color

It is made with Belgian malts and Saaz and Golding hops.

Does gluten-free beer prevent hangovers?

No. Gluten-free beer does not prevent hangovers because it still contains alcohol, which is what causes hangovers, along with dehydration.

Yes, being lighter than regular beers, gluten-free beers do not cause nausea or bloating in a short period of time, as long as it is not consumed in large quantities.

Where can you buy gluten-free beers?

Gluten-free beers can be purchased in supermarkets. Large stores have varieties of style and tastes.

They can also be purchased at specialty liquor stores and select bars in the United States.

Another good option for purchasing gluten-free beers is online shopping.

Prices

Below we offer a price table. These may be subject to changes in the menu and may vary depending on location and time of day:

Brand	Style	ABV	Price
Bard’s Beer	Pale Ale	5.5%	$11.99
Glutenberg	Blonde Ale	5.5%	$12.99
Holiday Brewing Company	IPA	6.5%	$13.99
New Belgium Glutiny Pale Ale	Pale Ale	5.5%	$14.99
Omission Brewing Co.	Pale Ale	4.7%	$11.99
Redbridge Beer	Amber Lager	5.0%	$10.99
Sufferfest Beer Company	IPA	7.0%	$15.99
Two Brothers Prairie Path Golden Ale	Golden Ale	5.0%	$12.99

Curiosities:

• Hop acid has an antibiotic effect
• Since the Middle Ages it began to be used in the production of beer.
• It is used as a main additive to counteract the sweetness of barley malt.
• The hop plant often helps with insomnia, anxiety and other sleep disorders
• It is often used in skin creams and lotions for its antibacterial properties.

Conclusions

Hops do not contain gluten, they are a climbing plant that has been used since ancient times for brewing beer. Gluten is found in cereals such as wheat, barley and rye.

Gluten-free beers are made from rice, barley, sorghum, malted or soy protein. Today, in the United States there are different national factories, specialized in the production of gluten-free beers, with several locations and different styles of beer: IPA, Pilsen, Lager, Pale Ale, Seasonal, among others.