A Gluten Free Beer Showdown

Six years ago, when I was diagnosed with celiac disease, I admit that the thought of never enjoying a cold, refreshing beer again did not affect me nearly as much as I imagine it would affect the gluten free guys out there.  Still, there was something about being told that I could NEVER have something again that drove me absolutely nuts.  I’ve never done well with the words “no and forever” in the same sentence.  Luckily, gluten free beers are now popping up all over the place; some good and some not so much…but even those that fall into the “not so much” category are actually rather tasty when it’s either that or nothing at all.  How else is a German girl (my maiden name is Schmidt) supposed to enjoy a beer brat during Oktoberfest??

Back when I was in college (and had yet to become a wino), my favorite beers where Amstel Light and Heineken, which are fairly light beers.  My husband Mike on the other hand, was a warm Guinness guy (ufta!).  The GF beers that I have personally tried and like are Bard’s Tale, New Planet’s Tread Lightly (not corn-free) and Off Grid (corn-free), St. Peter’s Sorgham Beer and yes, I like Redbridge too.

That being said, my husband has been itching to write this post for a very long time and thanks to New Planet Gluten Free Beer sending us a few complimentary beers to have our friends sample and offer their personal opinions, we had seven gluten free beers in our “showdown.”

-Heidi

GF Dad here…

Over the 4th of July weekend, we had the chance to assemble an expert panel of beer aficionados at our home for our annual gluten free Independence Day blowout.  I’m sure they were not very excited about the prospect of celebrating the 4th without their traditional barley/wheat beer, but we tried to make things fun and interesting by having them sample seven varieties of gluten free beer currently on the market and available at most Whole Foods markets (or similar grocery stores).  I’m not sure exactly what was going through their heads when they were called to the kitchen island to try a condiment cup full of beer, but the antics quickly ensued.  The only instructions they received were that they were to give first impressions and be brutally honest (just remember, these are all guys who still drink gluten-filled beer).

Our panel of six experts included 1) an actual brewer, 2) my best friend with whom I used to sample and collect exotic beers, 3) a Navy veteran (think shore leave), 4) an Army veteran (think R&R), 5) a new friend who I just met but who clearly knows beer, 6) and a guy who probably drinks more beer than he does water (okay not really, but he knows his beer as well).  So we had a good diverse group, all men, from early 30’s to mid 60’s in age.

The beers in the competition were chosen because they were available locally, regardless of price.  Since most of us pretty much have to give up beer when we go gluten free, spending $8 for a 16-20 ounce bottle (in some cases) is not an outlandish treat in my opinion.  But some of the beers are available for $6-9 a six-pack (or four-pack), so not entirely unreasonable.  We poured our pre-labeled sample cups in a separate room to eliminate any bias and promptly delivered a tray that quite frankly looked like it was full of urine samples ready for lab testing (well…it did!).

So let’s launch right to the comments and I’ll sum up at the end.

Beer A – New Planet Tread Lightly Ale

“That’s a pilsner.”

“Bitter.”

“No body.”

“Tastes apricot or floral.”

“Tastes weak.”

“Cow piss.” 

No one on our panel really cared for this beer too much.  We did find the “cow-piss” comment amusing, as Heidi’s 96 year old grandma refers to beer as “horse-piss.”  Yes, she is a teetotaller and it’s really funny that one of her grandson’s is part owner of the wildly popular Fitgers Brewhouse in Duluth, MN.  (which makes for some quick chugs down by the lake when Gram is napping, LOL!).

Beer B – New Planet 3R Raspberry Ale

“Apricot/peach/watermelon?”

“Tastes like an Abbey Ale.”

“Slightly sour so it balances the fruit.”

“Not a manly beer.”

“My wife would like this.”

I did forewarn our panel that this was a “flavored” beer, so that the shock of the fruit flavor would not overwhelm their impression. Notice that no one could identify raspberry as the fruit, they could just tell there was fruit in it. They didn’t necessarily hate it, but they didn’t care for it too much either.    This could partially be driven by a comment I heard from all of them: “Fruit belongs in a wine-cooler, not beer.”

Beer C – New Planet Off Grid Ale

{Picture everyone nodding his head while commenting}

“I’d buy that beer.”

“Good lager.”

“Tastes like an American Pale Ale.”

“More hops character.”

“Best so far.”

Everyone’s face lit up when they tried this beer.  I think they were surprised that a gluten free beer could taste so good, especially after the first two tastings.  They all seemed pleasantly surprised by this beer.

Beer D – St. Peter’s Sorgham Beer

“Reminds me of Pabst.”

“Smells like beer.”

“Good aroma.”

“Lots of hops.”

“Would be great on a hot afternoon on the porch, not with dinner.”

“Not too heavy.” 

The comment about Pabst and an afternoon on the porch came from the same person, so it was meant as a positive.  I think it was unfortunate that C and D were right next to each other because they didn’t get the chance to sample this beer after one of the “bad” ones.  But the fact that they all liked it even after having their favorite is a good sign.

Beer E – Greens Quest Tripel Blonde Ale

“Subtle aroma.”

“Fruit?”

“Too fruity.”

“Honey-wheat?”

“Good body and head.”

“Cider?”

“Too froo-froo.” 

This was a beer that no one necessarily hated, but no one really liked it either.  You can tell from the range of comments that there is a lot going on with this beer from a flavor perspective, and some drinkers may appreciate that.

Beer F – Greens Endeavour Dubbel Dark Ale

“Good.”

“Looks like beer, tastes like beer.”

“Don’t know why, it’s just good.”

“Smoothe.”

“Nut-brown?”

“Not hoppy, too sweet.”

“No bite.”

“Amber ale.”

A common theme with the Greens GF beers is that they seem to be quite complex when it comes to flavor.  Again, this can be either good or bad depending on your preferences.

Beer G – Redbridge

{Picture scrunched faces writhing in revulsion}

“Not much taste.”

“Tastes skunked.”

“Would send this back.”

“Would not pay for it.”

“Awful beer.”

“Beer flavored water.” 

I’m not sure if we got our hands on some old Redbridge or if this is truly how they would feel with something right off the delivery truck.  Personally, I don’t think the beer is bad, it tastes like an India Pale Ale to me, but no one on this panel had positive things to say.

So, the hands down winner was New Planet Off Grid Ale.  Every taster agreed that this was the best beer and all said they would pay for it, given its reasonable price (basically a premium beer price, about $8-9 a four-pack).  I enjoy this particular beer as well.  It just tastes like beer.

Runners-up were:

1) St. Peter’s Sorgham Beer (which is a little pricey but still good)

2) Greens Endeavour Dubbel Dark Ale (you can even make Chocolate Cake with this beer!)

Two of the other four were judged as “so-so” and the other two were deemed almost undrinkable by the glutenators (see above).

Now I know that beer preference is completely subjective, sort of like salad dressing.  But your salad dressing complements a basic salad to begin with, and beer should have some fundamental characteristics such as aroma, body, etc. just like a salad does.  When your server asks you what dressing you want on your house salad, you are changing the flavor of the basic house salad, not the salad itself.  I hope that analogy makes sense, because it works for me so I am sticking to it!

A couple years ago when I was still drinking barley/wheat beer I enjoyed Guinness and Sam Adams, as well as other craft beers.  I have to admit, I have yet to find a gluten free beer that reminds me of either of those.  I’m not a brewer, but there must be something about the gluten that gives those beers their deep flavor, color, and body that just can’t be replicated without it.  So be it.

But if you enjoy lighter beers in the Heineken or Amstel Light category, then you will be satisfied with the better gluten free beers.  I can’t imagine the time and patience required to figure out how to make good beer without barley or wheat, but all of these companies are to be commended for their efforts and painstaking dedication…I am thankful to have a choice.

-Mike

What is your favorite gluten free beer?