By Wendy Stoltz / Last Modified On August 21, 2023

Just because you are gluten-free doesn't mean you have to miss beer. I am going to discuss the best gluten-free beer selection for 2023 and share what to look out for when selecting your best gluten-free beer.

Years ago, there were a handful of brewers making gluten-free beer due to the expense it takes to process it. But I am happy to say we have quite a selection available for you to choose your best gluten-free beer!

If you prefer ciders, I have done an article on gluten-free ciders with a recipe too. And while you are selecting and ordering your favorite beer, why not choose your gluten-free frozen pizza from your local grocery store? Beer and pizza complement each other.

Tip: Looking for a nice wine instead? We recommend ordering from Total Wine, which has over 8,000 different types of wine that can be delivered right to your door.

Table of Contents

TYPES OF BREWERS

There are three types of brewers:

Dedicated gluten-free beer brewers - These beers are brewed in facilities that are 100% gluten-free. The beer is made with gluten-free ingredients.
Gluten-free beer brewers - These beers are brewed in facilities that are not 100% gluten-free. They produce gluten beer in the same facility. They do, however, produce beer with gluten-free ingredients.
Gluten-reduced beer brewers - Beer that is gluten-reduced is made with gluten products. The gluten is then removed with enzymes. They do, however, have 20 or more parts per million (ppm) gluten. Read below for more information on this according to FDA guidelines.

HOW TO DECIDE ON THE BEST GLUTEN-FREE BEER FOR YOU

So as with anything else in life, beer has so many choices to choose from. Beer is all about personal taste, and there are so many factors to consider, like style, ABV (Alcohol by Volume), freshness, and taste.

Style - Depending on what the occasion is, you may want to consult what you are going to be eating to select the best gluten-free beer for the occasion. For example, if you are eating lighter food like seafood, you will want a lighter beer.
ABV - ABS stands for Alcohol by Volume. Here again, you can select a beer with a lower ABV and have 2 as opposed to having a beer with a higher alcohol by volume and only having one.
Freshness - It is important to buy your gluten-free beer from a reputable outlet that has a high stock turnover. Check the best by label in order to ensure you are drinking fresh and not expired beer.
Taste - Taste is a personal thing, so I would suggest you buy single cans or bottles if possible so you can experiment with all these gluten-free beers and find the best gluten-free beer that your taste buds enjoy.

Which is going to be your best gluten-free beer? Go look at the selection I have put together for you below.

BEST GLUTEN-FREE BEER - INDIAN PALE ALES (IPA)

American Indian Pale Ales (IPAs) are known for their citrusy hop flavor.

Grapefruit Indian Pale Ale (IPA)

Gluten-free: 100% gluten-free
Region: Washington
ABV: 5.5%
Tasting Notes: I am sharing Ghostfish brewing companies tasting notes as I am not a professional brewer "The grapefruit character of this beer is more “grapefruit rind” than grapefruit juice. Bracing and bright with a pungent grapefruit aroma and a powerful citrusy bitterness."
About Ghostfish Brewing Company: This gluten-free Grapefruit IPA beer has won numerous gold, silver, and bronze awards over the past 7 years.
Buy now: You can buy it online here: Ghostfish Grapefruit IPA -- or view all their products here -- remember to check the labels.

Stone Delicious Indian Pale Ale (IPA)

Gluten-free: gluten-reduced
Region: California
ABV: 7.7%
Tasting Notes: As described by Stone Brewing Co. "With the Lemon drop varietal as a centerpiece and a massive dry hop composed exclusively of lemony El Dorado hops from Washington State, this beer lives up to its name behind a plethora of tart, citrusy notes and a stunning grove-like, lemon tree bouquet."
About Stone Brewing Co.: Greg Koch and Steve Wagner founded Stone Brewing. They opened in San Diego County in 1996. They are now the ninth-largest craft brewer in the U.S.
Buy now: You can buy it online here: Stone Delicious Indian Pale Ale (IPA) -- or view all their products here --remember to check the labels.

BEST GLUTEN-FREE BEER - WHEAT ALE

Wheat ales traditionally have a creamy texture. The appearance is golden and has a hazy quality to it. They also have a pronounced foam head. They include witbiers, hefeweizens, the Berliner-style Weisse and American wheat beers.

Holidaily Favorite Buckwit Belgian Witobier - Wheat Ale

Gluten-free: 100% gluten-free
Region: Colorado
ABV: 4.8%
Tasting Notes: I am sharing Holidaily Brewing Company tasting notes as I am not a professional brewer "Light and refreshing with a mix of coriander and orange peel."
About Holidaily Brewing Company: The founder Karen Hertz survived melanoma and thyroid cancer. Part of her treatment plan was a gluten-free diet. As a beer lover, Karen missed the social aspect of being gluten-free so made it her mission to produce her own gluten-free beer.
Buy now: You can buy it online here: Holidaily Favorite Buckwit Belgian Witobier -- or view all their products here -- remember to check the labels.

BEST GLUTEN-FREE BEER - PILSNER

A pilsner is a lager beer often having a "hoppier" and crisp taste. It makes the perfect summer beer.

Lakefront Brewery New Grist

Gluten-free: gluten-reduced - scroll to the top of my article to read up on this
Region: Wisconsin
ABV: 5.7%
Tasting Notes: It has a light and fruity aroma.
About Lakefront Brewery: It is the first gluten-free beer brewers to be granted label approval by the U.S. Government.
Buy now: You can buy it online here: Lakefront Brewery New Grist or view all their products here -- remember to check the labels.

BEST GLUTEN-FREE BEER - LAGER

If you are new to beer, a lager is a good starting point. It's a lighter, crisper beer and is considered less overwhelming.

Omission Lager

Gluten-free: gluten-reduced - scroll to the top of my article to read up on this
Region: Oregon
ABV: 4.3%
Tasting Notes: It's a light, crisp, refreshing and easy-to-drink beer.
About Balanced Omission brewing: Omission beers have been brewed and packaged since 2012.
Buy now: You can buy it online here: Omission Lager -- or view all their products here -- remember to check the labels.

BEST GLUTEN-FREE BEER - DARK ALE

American Brown ale is rich, malty, dark ale that’s got an amazing aroma.

Ground Breaker Dark Ale

Gluten-free: 100% gluten-free
Region: Portland
ABV: 4.5%
Tasting Notes: Provided by Ground Breaker Brewery "Our mild Dark Ale is brewed with malted rice, flaked quinoa and Belgian-style Candi Syrup. Delivering flavors of caramel and light roast with hints of chocolate and dark fruit.
About Ground Breaker Brewery: Ground Breaker Brewery has fermented this four-time Great American Beer Festival® medal-winning beer with English ale yeast.
Buy now: You can buy it online here: Ground Breaker Dark Ale -- or view all their products here -- remember to check the labels.

BEST GLUTEN-FREE BEER - SOUR

A sour beer has been intentionally brewed to have a sour, acidic and tart taste.

Glutenberg Gose

Gluten-free: gluten-reduced
Region: Canada
ABV: 3.5%
Tasting Notes: The Glutenberg Gose is qualified as a sour beer. It has lime and lemon aromas that are further enriched by the floral and fruity profile of Mandarina Bavaria hops.
About Glutenberg: One of the co-founders was living with gluten intolerance. He was dissatisfied with the gluten-free beer on the market and the team decided to produce their own. At the 2012 World Beer Cup Glutenberg beers won all three medals in the “Gluten-Free Beer” category.
Buy now: You can buy it online here: Glutenberg Gose -- or view all their products here -- remember to check the labels.

BEST GLUTEN-FREE BEER - BLONDE (GOLDEN) ALE

A blonde ale (also known as a golden ale) is an easy drinking beer that's flavorful, on the healthier side, and refreshing with mild flavors.

New Planet Blonde Ale

Gluten-free: 100% gluten-free
Region: Colorado
ABV: 4.8%
Tasting Notes: According to New Planet, "This approachable beer is easy-going, refreshingly light and crisp, with subtle hints of citrus."
About New Planet: The founder discovered he had celiac and made it a personal quest to drink delicious beer that caters to his requirements.
Buy now: You can buy it online here: New Planet Blonde Ale or view all their products here -- remember to check the labels.

Glutenberg Blonde Ale

Gluten-free: gluten-reduced
Region: Canada
ABV: 4.5%
Tasting Notes: Dry and citrusy
About New Planet: The founder discovered he had celiac and made it a personal quest to drink delicious beer that caters for his requirements.
Buy now: You can buy it online here: Glutenberg Blonde Ale -- or view all their products here -- remember to check the labels.

BEST GLUTEN-FREE BEER - PALE ALE

A pale ale is, as the name suggests, a lighter color beer than the traditional darker beers.

Ipswich G Free Saison

Gluten-free: gluten-reduced
Region: Massachusetts
ABV: 6.5%
Tasting Notes: It is a lightly spiced gluten-reduced beer with a crisp hoppy finish.
About Ipswich: Founded in 1991, they've brewed over 20,000 batches with award-winning results.
Buy now: You can buy it online here: Ipswich G Free Saisone -- or view all their products here -- remember to check the labels.

BEST GLUTEN-FREE BEER - STOUT

Stout is a rich, dark type of ale. It comes in a wide range of variations worldwide.

Glutenberg Stout

Gluten-free: gluten-reduced
Region: Canada
ABV: 5%
Tasting Notes: Powerful notes of espresso, dark chocolate, and ripe fruit.
About Glutenberg: One of the co-founders was living with gluten intolerance. He was dissatisfied with the gluten-free beer on the market and the team decided to produce their own. At the 2012 World Beer Cup, Glutenberg beers won all three medals in the “Gluten-Free Beer” category.
Buy now: You can buy it online here: Glutenberg Stout -- or view all their products here -- remember to check the labels.

Ghostfish Watchstander Stout

Gluten-free:100% gluten-free
Region: Washington
ABV: 6.5%
Tasting Notes: This gluten-free beer has dark roasts of malted millet, buckwheat and brown rice. This contributes to dark chocolate, toasted marshmallow, and coffee flavor.
About Ghostfish Brewing Company: Ghostfish Brewing Company has won numerous gold, silver, and bronze awards over the past 7 years.
Buy now: You can buy it online here: Ghostfish Watchstander Stout -- or view all their products here -- remember to check the labels.

FDA GUIDELINES ON GLUTEN-FREE BEER

So, for a beer to be classified as gluten-free it needs to have 20 or more parts per million (ppm) gluten, as per the excerpt from the FDA guidelines below. If you are celiac, I recommend you avoid gluten-reduced beer. I would suggest you opt for dedicated gluten-free beer. There are numerous studies on this, so please read up on it as this is my personal view, and there are numerous debates on this topic.

“Ingredient derived from these grains and that has been processed to remove gluten, if it results in the food containing 20 or more parts per million (ppm) gluten” - Source FDA -- you can read more here www.fda.org

WHY TRUST THIS REVIEW OF THE BEST GLUTEN-FREE BEER BY CATEGORY

I have trawled numerous sites of brewers to bring you the best gluten-free beer by category. Some I have tasted personally but others I have relied on reviews. I don't take it lightly, so I have spent hours going through reader reviews from multiple places to bring you the absolute best gluten-free beer.

It would be impossible for me to sample all, but this is a solid list with a lot of thought and research done behind it. I would love your comments on your experiences with the best gluten-free beer you like to drink so we can share this with fellow readers.

ARE ANY BEERS NATURALLY GLUTEN-FREE?

Traditionally, most beers contained gluten. Gluten is derived from barley, wheat, or rye. Gluten-free beers are made from sorghum, rice, or millet.

IS THERE A TRULY GLUTEN-FREE BEER?

Yes, there are, but you need to consult with the label to ensure it is. Some beers are gluten-reduced beer and still contain gluten.

CAN I DRINK BEER IF I AM GLUTEN INTOLERANT?

Yes, but ensure you drink beer that is gluten-free and not just gluten-reduced.

HOW CAN YOU TELL IF A BEER IS GLUTEN-FREE?

Looking at the nutritional label is the best. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) regulates nutritional labels. Be careful of ingredients that potentially contain gluten. Words to look out for on the label are “gluten reduced” or “crafted to remove gluten.”

HOW DO BREWERS MAKE GLUTEN-FREE BEER?

They do it one of two ways. They either use gluten-free grains like millet, corn, rice, buckwheat, and sorghum. Alternatively, they don't substitute the grain but remove or break down the gluten with an enzyme.

If you have any questions about gluten-free beers, feel free to comment below and I'll do my best to answer. Please leave me a comment below with your best gluten-free beer. It is always nice to receive reader feedback.

Drink responsibly. Remember to adhere to the alcohol regulations in your state or country. Consult your doctor if needed.

Thanks for sharing!