For anyone living gluten-free, few pleasures feel as out of reach as cracking open a cold beer. Traditional beer is brewed from barley, wheat, or rye, all of which contain gluten, making conventional beer one of the most obvious no-go beverages for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. But the craft beverage revolution has changed the landscape dramatically. Today there are dedicated gluten-free breweries, gluten-removed beers, naturally gluten-free ciders, and a full range of safe spirits. GlutenSafe.io is here to help you navigate the world of gluten-free alcoholic beverages so you can enjoy social drinking without worry.
This comprehensive guide ranks the best gluten-free beers, ciders, wines, and spirits currently available. We will also explain the crucial difference between gluten-free and gluten-removed beers, which alcoholic beverages are naturally safe, and which popular drinks you should avoid entirely. Whether you prefer a hoppy IPA, a crisp lager, or a smooth glass of wine, there is a safe option waiting for you.
Gluten-Free Beer vs. Gluten-Removed Beer: A Critical Distinction
Before diving into rankings, you need to understand the difference between gluten-free and gluten-removed (also called gluten-reduced or crafted to remove gluten) beers. This distinction is medically significant and can mean the difference between a safe night out and a painful reaction.
Gluten-free beers are brewed from inherently gluten-free grains such as sorghum, millet, rice, buckwheat, or quinoa. These beers never contained gluten at any point in the brewing process. They are safe for people with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity.
Gluten-removed beers start with traditional barley or wheat and then use an enzyme called Brewers Clarex (AN-PEP) to break down gluten proteins after fermentation. While these beers may test below 20 parts per million on standard tests, the testing methods (like the R5 competitive ELISA) may not accurately detect the hydrolyzed gluten fragments that remain. The Celiac Disease Foundation and many medical professionals advise people with celiac disease to avoid gluten-removed beers. When in doubt, scan the label with our free app for clarity.
Top Gluten-Free Beers Ranked
These beers are brewed entirely from gluten-free grains and are safe for people with celiac disease. We ranked them based on flavor, availability, variety, and overall drinking experience.
Best Dedicated Gluten-Free Breweries
- Ghostfish Brewing (Seattle, WA): Widely considered the gold standard of gluten-free craft beer. Their Vanishing Point Pale Ale and Grapefruit IPA are exceptional. Brewed from millet, rice, and buckwheat.
- Ground Breaker Brewing (Portland, OR): Pioneers of gluten-free brewing using chestnuts, lentils, and roasted dark grains. Their IPA No. 5 and Dark Ale are outstanding.
- Holidaily Brewing (Golden, CO): A dedicated gluten-free brewery with a wide range including their popular Favorite Blonde and BuckWit Belgian. All beers are certified gluten-free.
- Glutenberg (Montreal, Canada): Excellent Belgian-style ales including a Blonde, Red, and American Pale Ale. Brewed from millet, buckwheat, corn, and quinoa.
- Burning Brothers Brewing (St. Paul, MN): Known for their Pyro American Pale Ale and Roasted Coffee Strong Ale. All beers brewed in a dedicated gluten-free facility.
Ghostfish Brewing earns the top spot because of their commitment to quality, range of styles, and wide distribution. Their beers genuinely taste like traditional craft beer, and even gluten-eating friends will enjoy them. They brew in a 100% dedicated gluten-free facility, eliminating any risk of cross-contamination.
Mainstream Gluten-Free Beer Options
Not everyone has access to specialty craft breweries, so here are widely available gluten-free options you can find at most grocery stores and liquor shops.
- Redbridge (Anheuser-Busch): Brewed from sorghum, widely available, and affordable. Taste is mild and slightly sweet.
- Omission (note: this is gluten-REMOVED, not gluten-free. Avoid if you have celiac disease.)
- Estrella Damm Daura: A Spanish lager that is technically gluten-removed but widely consumed. Not recommended for celiac.
- New Grist (Lakefront Brewery): Brewed from sorghum and rice. Light, crisp, and refreshing. Truly gluten-free.
- Bard’s Gold: An American sorghum-based lager with a malty profile. One of the original gluten-free beers.
Always read labels carefully and check the certification markings on any beer before purchasing. A beer labeled ‘crafted to remove gluten’ is NOT the same as ‘gluten-free.’ This is one of the most common and potentially harmful points of confusion in the gluten-free beverage world.
Hard Ciders: A Naturally Gluten-Free Alternative
Hard cider is made from fermented apple juice and is naturally gluten-free, making it one of the safest and most accessible alternatives to beer. The cider market has exploded in recent years, offering everything from bone-dry to dessert-sweet varieties.
Top cider picks include Angry Orchard Crisp Apple for a widely available sweet option, Citizen Cider Unified Press for a drier Vermont-style cider, and Aspall Suffolk Cyder for a traditional English cider. Austin Eastciders and Crispin also offer excellent ranges. Most ciders are naturally gluten-free, but always check for added barley or malt flavoring in specialty varieties. The Gluten Safety scanner app can quickly verify any cider.
Wine and Champagne: Naturally Safe
Wine is naturally gluten-free. It is made from grapes, yeast, and sometimes sulfites, none of which contain gluten. Red wine, white wine, rosé, sparkling wine, and champagne are all safe for people with celiac disease. There was once concern about wines aged in barrels sealed with wheat paste, but research has consistently shown that any gluten from barrel sealing does not transfer into the wine in detectable amounts.
Wine coolers and flavored wines deserve more scrutiny. Some wine coolers contain malt, barley, or other gluten-containing additives. Always check the label on flavored or mixed wine products. Pure wine from any reputable winery is safe. For a romantic evening, check our gluten-free date night guide for wine pairing ideas.
Distilled Spirits: What Is Safe?
This is one of the most debated topics in the gluten-free community. The distillation process theoretically removes gluten proteins because they are too large to vaporize and carry through the distillation column. This means that pure distilled spirits, even those made from wheat, barley, or rye, should be gluten-free after distillation.
Most medical authorities, including the Celiac Disease Foundation, agree that pure distilled spirits are safe. This includes vodka (even wheat-based), gin, rum, tequila, and whiskey. However, some individuals report sensitivity to grain-based spirits despite distillation. If you are among them, opt for spirits made from non-grain sources such as potato vodka (Chopin, Luksusowa), grape-based vodka (Cîroc), or corn-based bourbon.
Spirits Safety Quick Reference
- Vodka: Safe when distilled. For extra caution, choose potato or grape-based brands.
- Gin: Safe. Distilled from various botanicals. Hendrick’s and Tanqueray are popular options.
- Rum: Safe. Made from sugarcane. Bacardi and Mount Gay are reliable choices.
- Tequila: Safe. Made from 100% agave. Avoid mixto tequilas with undisclosed additives.
- Whiskey/Bourbon: Generally safe due to distillation. Choose corn-based bourbon if concerned.
- Flavored spirits: CAUTION. Flavorings added after distillation may contain gluten. Always verify.
Beverages to Avoid Completely
Some alcoholic beverages are never safe for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. Conventional beer made from barley, wheat beer, malt beverages, malt liquor, and any drink containing malt flavoring must be avoided entirely. Wine coolers with malt, some flavored hard lemonades, and certain premixed cocktails also contain hidden gluten.
When you are out at a bar or restaurant, GlutenSafe.io recommends sticking with wine, cider, or simple mixed drinks made with distilled spirits and gluten-free mixers. Avoid anything from a tap line that also pours traditional beer, as cross-contamination from shared draft lines is a real concern. Ask the bartender for a bottle or can instead.
Social Drinking Tips for the Gluten-Free Community
Navigating social drinking situations can be stressful, but it does not have to be. Bring your own gluten-free beer or cider to parties. Most hosts appreciate the heads-up and are happy to accommodate. At bars, order wine, cider, or a simple cocktail like a gin and tonic, vodka soda, or rum and Coke.
Do not feel pressured to explain your entire medical history to every bartender. A simple ‘I need a gluten-free option’ is enough. If the bartender is unsure about a product, skip it and choose something you know is safe. Your health is always worth more than any drink. Download the free Gluten Safety app and you will always have a reliable reference in your pocket. For more lifestyle tips, explore the GlutenSafe.io resources available on our website.
The gluten-free beverage landscape is better than it has ever been. With dedicated breweries producing world-class beers, an abundance of hard ciders, naturally safe wines, and safe distilled spirits, there is no reason to feel left out of social drinking. Educate yourself on the difference between gluten-free and gluten-removed, always read labels, and lean on tools like the Gluten Safety scanner to make confident choices at the store or the bar.