Gluten-Free Alternatives to Beer (2026)

Hayley Simpson / Last Modified On April 10, 2025

Getting diagnosed with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity can feel like a buzzkill (especially if you’re a beer lover). But don’t worry, your drinking days aren’t over. In fact, there are more gluten-free options available today than ever before, from crisp, refreshing beers brewed without gluten to flavorful alternatives like cider, mead, and even hard seltzer. Whether you’re toasting with friends or just winding down after work, you’ve got plenty of safe, delicious choices.

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Who Should Drink These Gluten-Free Beer Alternatives?

We recommend these gluten-free beer alternatives to anyone with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. Why? Well, celiacs can’t enjoy beer mainly because the primary ingredient is a gluten-containing grain like wheat or barley.

A glass of gluten-free beer on a summer day.

Fortunately, several gluten-free beers are available, and we share our favorites below. Gluten-free beers are made with gluten-free grains, such as sorghum, maize, millet, or oats.

Note: I don’t recommend gluten-removed beers as a gluten-free alternative to beer. Gluten-removed or gluten-reduced beers are made with gluten-containing grains. However, an enzyme is added afterward to break down the gluten protein.

There’s no guarantee this enzyme removes every trace of gluten, as it only breaks it down. This is why I don’t recommend this product to celiacs or people with gluten sensitivities.

Best Gluten-Free Beer Brands

The most apparent GF alternative to beer is… gluten-free beer! I recommend visiting our comprehensive gluten-free beer guide. But here are some of our favorites.

Bard’s

Bard’s tagline is The Original Sorghum Malt Beer and Truly Gluten-Free™. The company is passionate about its gluten-free status. It gets each batch independently tested at a Nebraska lab. They display results on their website under Gluten-Free Testing.

These results highlight that the amount of gluten in each batch is Below the Limit of Quantitation. This means less than ten parts per million (ppm) of gluten. According to FDA guidelines, a product has to have less than 20 ppm to be considered gluten-free.

This beer appeals to those who prefer a light, crisp taste, low bitterness, and a subtle hops aroma.

Glutenberg

Glutenberg is an award-winning gluten-free beer company from Quebec. They have an extensive range of 100% gluten-free beers. This includes Blonde, White, Saison, several ales, and Stout. Pick up a Glutenberg variety pack and find your favorite flavor.

Green’s

In 2004, Green’s produced the UK’s first gluten-free beer. Since then, they’ve expanded their range and their reach. Yes, you can get Green’s in the US and Canada. They make their gluten-free beer with ancient grains like sorghum, millet, buckwheat, and brown rice.

The entire Green’s range is extensive and includes:

Discovery Ale (the original)
Dry-Hopped Lager
Dubbel Ale
Gorgeous Blonde Ale
India Pale Ale
Premium Pilsener
Tripel Ale

New Grist

Founded in the 1980s in Milwaukee, Lakefront Brewery brings us New Grist Gluten-Free Pilsener. This award-winning beer is certified gluten-free. Each batch also gets tested for gluten content before bottling. The ingredients used are rice extract, sorghum, and malted millet. These combine to deliver a light-bodied pilsener with fruity notes.

New Planet

New Planet was established in Colorado when the founder was diagnosed with celiac disease. The company keeps things simple with only two gluten-free beers: Blonde Ale and Pale Ale. The Blonde Ale is crisp and refreshing, while the Pale Ale is hoppy with citrus notes.

Keep your eye out, as New Planet offers seasonal beers like Raspberry Ale and Seclusion IPA.

Related: If you enjoy gifting alcohol, there are more gluten-free ideas in our gluten-free gift guide.

Gluten-Free Alternatives to Beer

We've got you if you’re searching for a different kind of gluten-free beer alternative. For a more comprehensive breakdown, visit our gluten-free alcohol guide.

Gluten-free ginger beer comes in alcoholic varieties too.

Alcoholic Ginger Beer

Have you tried alcoholic ginger beer yet? It’s the same delicious spiced taste of regular ginger beer with the addition of alcohol. Now, not all alcoholic ginger beers are gluten-free. But we have options for you:

Barritt’s Original Ginger Beer hails from Bermuda. It’s gluten-free and sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup. They also have a Sugar-Free Ginger Beer.
Fentimans Ginger Beer
Ginger’s Revenge has four naturally gluten-free ginger beers made with 95% organic ingredients. Your choices include Original, Lime Agave, Hibiscus Lavender, and Cranberry Herb.
Another Bermuda institution, you can find Islander Ginger Beer at US retailers.

Mead

Ancient Greeks called mead the nectar of the Gods. Also known as honey wine, it’s an alcoholic beverage made from fermented honey and water. Some meads include extra flavors from fruits, spices, or grains.

Here’s the interesting fact: In the United States, meaderies are licensed as wineries and thus aren’t allowed to use grains. So double-check with your local meadery, but it should be a gluten-free premise.

Here are some meaderies we know are gluten-free:

Cider

Cider is naturally gluten-free, as the main ingredient is apples. But you’ll still want to check for a gluten-free label. Some companies will produce cider in shared facilities where cross-contamination is possible. Others will include gluten-containing flavorings.

Don’t worry; you can choose from several gluten-free ciders. Try Woodchuck Cider, Magners, or Angry Orchard.

Wine

Wine is also naturally gluten-free as it comes from grapes. This extends to all wine varieties and alcoholic beverages containing wine. This includes red, white, sparkling, port, sherry, vermouth, brandy, and rice wine. The only wine to double-check the ingredients label is dessert wine. Some include extra gluten-containing flavorings.

Distilled Spirits

Distilled spirits are made from fermented plants, gluten-containing grains, or fruit. Now, things get tricky with distilled spirits. In the distillation process, the alcohol comes from the vapor. The gluten doesn't evaporate because of the high boiling point, so it isn’t a part of the final distilled spirit.

The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) says distilled spirits made from gluten-containing grains can be labeled gluten-free if companies follow strict manufacturing practices. They must ensure no gluten-containing ingredients enter the final product.

We understand this can make people nervous about enjoying spirits made from gluten-containing grains. If this is you, gluten-free whiskey, vodka, and gin are available. Otherwise, stick to distilled spirits made from gluten-free ingredients like rum and tequila.

Liqueurs

Liqueurs are distilled spirits with added flavorings. There are too many gluten-free liqueur brands to list. But popular options include Amaretto, Aperol, Bailey’s, Cointreau, Kahlua, Southern Comfort, and Triple Sec.

Hard Seltzer

We couldn’t miss sharing some of our favorite gluten-free hard seltzer brands. Now, hard seltzer is naturally gluten-free. The main ingredients are carbonated water, alcohol (fermented cane sugar), and fruit flavoring. But double-checking labels is essential. Some brands use fermented malted barley instead of cane sugar.

You can still enjoy popular brands like:

Bud Light Seltzer
Corona Seltzer
Nauti
High Noon
TRULY
White Claw

Another option often categorized as a hard seltzer is Long Drink (Lonkero in Finnish). This is a traditional Finnish mixed drink with gin and grapefruit soda. The Finnish Long Drink has Miles Teller to thank for bringing the gluten-free product to more retailers across the States.

Non-Alcoholic Gluten-Free Alternative to Beer

There are several non-alcoholic gluten-free alternatives to beer.

Beer

Drop Bear is a UK-based brewery offering a range of non-alcoholic gluten-free beers. According to the company, the beer is brewed with barley. But they use the enzyme mentioned above. Coupled with their brewing process, they test every batch to ensure it’s under ten parts per million of gluten. Their gluten-free collection includes New World Lager, Yuzu Pale Ale, Tropical IPA, and Bonfire Stout.

Another option for UK readers is Jump/Ship Brewing. Their Yardarm Lager was awarded the world’s best non-alcoholic lager at the World Beer Awards in 2021. Then there’s Flying Colours Pale Ale, Stoker’s Stout, Jackstaff IPA, and others.

A final alternative is Big Drop Brewing. Their three non-alcoholic gluten-free beers have won gold at the World Beer Awards. Choose between the Paradiso Citra IPA, the Pine Trail Pale Ale, and Galactic Milk Stout.

Spirit

Monday Mezcal is the most popular non-alcoholic spirit right now. If you’re looking for a non-alcoholic alternative to tequila, this is for you. It tastes delicious in a non-alcoholic margarita or sunrise.

Lyre’s is a UK company that now distributes to over 100 countries. Its products and ingredients are gluten-free and produced in a gluten-free facility. So there’s no risk of cross-contamination.

The Lyre’s non-alcoholic collection is extensive. It includes both spirits and pre-mixed drinks. The bestsellers include:

American Malt
Dry London Spirit for G&Ts
White Cane Spirit for non-alcoholic pina coladas
Italian Orange

Wine

Our top recommendation for non-alcoholic and gluten-free wine is Surely. Sourcing its grapes from the California coast, all its wines are vegan and gluten-free.

The Surely range includes the Red Blend, Sparkling Brut, and Sparkling Rose. Plus, you can also buy them in cans.

All the Gluten-Free Alternatives!

So, yes, there is life after gluten when it comes to beer and beyond. Whether you go for a certified gluten-free lager, sip on a craft cider, or explore the world of mead and hard seltzers, you won’t be short on options. And if alcohol isn’t your thing, non-alcoholic gluten-free drinks are having a moment too. Try a few, find your favorites, and raise a glass to drinking confidently and gluten-free.