Is alcohol gluten free? | Drinkaware (2024)

If you have coeliac disease, or are allergic or intolerant to gluten and choose to drink alcohol, you need to know which drinks are gluten-free.

Whether your drink contains gluten or not, to keep health risks from alcohol low, follow theUK Chief Medical Officers' (CMOs) low risk guidelines. That means not drinking more than 14 units per week on a regular basis (about six pints of typical strength lager, or five 175ml glasses of wine in total), having several drink-free days each week and never binge drinking.

What is gluten? Why do some people need to avoid it?

Gluten is a type of protein found in grains such as wheat, barley and rye. It’s found infoods made with these grains, like bread, pasta, cereals, cakes and some sauces and ready meals – as well as in drinks, including some alcoholic drinks.

Some people need to avoid gluten because they’re intolerant or allergic to it. And at least one in 100 people in the UK are estimated to have coeliac disease, where gluten should be avoided completely.1

For people with coeliac disease, it’s essential to maintain a completely gluten-free diet to avoid symptoms including stomach aches, diarrhoea and fatigue and longer-term complications including weakened bones and severe anaemia.2

For expert information and advice on coeliac disease, visitCoeliac UK.

Can beer be gluten-free?

Most beer - whether lager, stout or ale - is made using barley, wheat or rye. That means these drinks do contain gluten and so are off the menu if you’re following a gluten-free diet.

But there are some specially made gluten-free beers, either made with grain that doesn’t contain gluten, like rice, or with the gluten removed at the end of the production process. Legally, only products with less than 20 parts per million (PPM) or less can be labelled as ‘gluten-free’.3

Gluten-free beer still contains alcohol. Checking the number of units on the label or the alcohol by volume (ABV) percentage on the beer's packaging will mean you’re aware how much alcohol is in your drink and can stay withinthe UK low risk drinking guidelines. There are gluten-free alcohol-free beers available too – swapping a standard beer for an alcohol-free one could help you cut your overall consumption.

Do you know your ABV from your alcohol units?

Are other alcoholic drinks gluten-free?

All commercially produced wine, spirits, cider and liqueurs are gluten-free because of the way the ingredients they use and the way they’re made, even though some are made from gluten-containing grains. According to Coeliac UK, they can be included in a gluten-free diet.4

But though wine and spirits are all gluten-free, they’re definitely not alcohol-free. This means that regularly drinking too much of them can have serious consequences for your health. Drinking alcohol regularly can increase your risk of developing a range of health problems including heart disease, stroke and several types of cancer.

What you need to know about spirits

Advice on alcohol and gluten

Gluten-free isn’t alcohol free

As demand grows, more brewers are bringing gluten-free beer onto the market. However, they still contain alcohol. Stick to the UK low risk drinking guidelines

Find out what’s in your glass

Wine and spirits don’t contain gluten – but how many units and calories does each one have? Find out with our handyUnit and Calorie Calculator

Check the label

Reading a drink’s label will tell you if it’s gluten-free – and while you’re there you can see how many units or how strong it is with the Alcohol By Volume (ABV). If you want to know exactly what is in your drink, choosing a low alcohol or alcohol-free drink means all ingredients – including any allergens - legally have to be displayed on the label, which could help you choose.

Reduce your drinking

If you’re cutting down on gluten for health reasons, doing the same with alcohol is a great idea. Read our tips for reducing your alcohol intake.

Is alcohol gluten free? | Drinkaware (1)

Further advice and information

Arming yourself with strategies and tips can help you or a loved one take small steps towards big results.

Worried about someone else's drinking? How to stop drinking alcohol completely How to reduce your drinking Is alcohol harming your stomach?

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Last Reviewed: 7th August 2023

Next Review due: 7th August 2026

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Is alcohol gluten free? | Drinkaware (2024)

FAQs

Is alcohol gluten free? | Drinkaware? ›

All commercially produced wine, spirits, cider and liqueurs are gluten-free because of the way the ingredients they use and the way they're made, even though some are made from gluten-containing grains.

Does alcohol have a lot of gluten? ›

Yes, pure, distilled liquor, even if made from wheat, barley, or rye, is considered gluten-free. Most liquors are safe for people with celiac disease because of the distillation process. However, be on the lookout for hidden gluten in liquors that add flavorings or other additives after distillation.

What alcohol has no gluten? ›

Distilled spirits: Brandy, rum, and tequila are naturally gluten-free. Chopin and Tito's vodkas, Cold River Gin or Schramm Organic Gin, and Queen Jennie Whiskey are gluten-free. Liqueurs: Chartreuse, Cointreau, Disaronno, Grand Marnier, Hennessy, Kahlúa, Sambuca, and Martini are gluten-free.

Can you drink alcohol if you are gluten intolerant? ›

What alcohol can be included on a gluten free diet? Cider, wine, sherry, spirits, port and liqueurs are gluten free. Even when a cereal that contains gluten is used as an ingredient, all spirits are distilled during the manufacturing process and this process removes any trace of gluten.

Is it bad for celiacs to drink alcohol? ›

Alcohol is allowed in the celiac diet, as long as you choose the right types of alcohol. Beer and ale are usually made from barley, and are not safe for celiacs to drink. Wines, which are made from grapes, are safe for people with celiac disease. This includes fortified wines, like sherry and port.

What alcohol is truly gluten-free? ›

Liquors like rum (made from sugar cane), tequila (made from the agave plant) and brandy (distilled wine) are not made with gluten, so they are safe for celiacs and others with gluten sensitivity.

Is tito's vodka gluten-free? ›

Tito's vodka is 100% gluten-free, certified by the Gluten Free Certification Organization. Tito's surpasses the efforts of many vodka manufacturers in guaranteeing the gluten-free status of their product, notably by refraining from reintroducing mash into the vodka after distillation.

What alcohol is best for celiac disease? ›

Gluten Free Alcohol Options
  • Wine, sherry, port, and ciders.
  • These are all made from fruit and don't contain gluten.
  • Gin, Brandy, Rum, Tequila, Vodka, Bourbon and Whisky.
  • Gin, and other spirits that are made from gluten free ingredients can be safely consumed in moderation by people with coeliac disease. ...
  • Liqueurs.

What drinks trigger celiac disease? ›

What foods and drinks contain gluten? Gluten is found in foods that contain ingredients made from these grains, including baked goods, baking mixes, breads, cereals, and pastas. Drinks such as beer, lagers, ale, flavored liquors, and malt beverages may also contain gluten.

Does drinking water help gluten intolerance? ›

If you experience side effects from accidental gluten exposure, you can: Drink plenty of water to flush out your system. Eat small meals that aren't spicy or fatty.

Is co*ke gluten-free? ›

The Coca-Cola Company made the following statement on their website regarding being gluten-free: “None of the Coca-Cola or Schweppes brands contains gluten, milk, egg or soy. People with gluten intolerance or celiac disease should talk to their healthcare provider about including soft drinks as part of their diet.”

Does alcohol destroy gluten? ›

Alcohol is volatile and rises to the top to be syphoned off from the main liquid. Proteins are heavy and gluten proteins are not volatile, so they should sink to the bottom rather than get syphoned off into the distilled liquid. The resulting distilled liquid becomes gluten-free.

What drinks should I avoid with gluten intolerance? ›

Some drinks are made with ingredients that contain gluten, so it's important to read labels. Beverages that may contain gluten include: beer. bottled wine coolers.

Is beer very high in gluten? ›

Beer is traditionally made with barley, hops, yeast, and sometimes wheat. Barley and wheat are grains that have gluten. The gluten level may decrease during the brewing process, but typical beer has a gluten content above 20 parts per million (ppm).

How much gluten is in vodka? ›

Yes, pure, distilled vodka, even if made with wheat, barley, or rye, is considered gluten-free. Most vodkas are safe for people with celiac disease because of the distillation process.

Are beers low gluten? ›

No, conventional beer is not gluten-free. Beer is typically made from a combination of malted barley and hops. Sometimes wheat is also used in the beer making process. Since both barley and wheat contain gluten, beers made from either are not gluten-free.

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