Lexi Webster
Australia has a growing market for gluten-free beer, with a recent Monash University study finding that more than 1 in 10 Australian adults follow a gluten-free diet. While the market remains small, it is significant, as consumers who buy gluten-free beer tend to be very loyal to the products. For those with coeliac disease, gluten intolerance, or those simply looking to cut down on gluten, there are a number of gluten-free beer options available in Australia.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of gluten-free beer brands in Australia | Several solid options |
| Dedicated gluten-free beers brewed with | 100% gluten-free ingredients in a 100% gluten-free facility |
| Gluten-reduced beers | Brewed with gluten, but the gluten content is reduced using an enzyme |
| Gluten-free breweries | Black Duck Brewery, SOBAH Brewing, Two Bays Brewing Co., Hahn Brewing, O'Brien Brewing, Wilde Brewing |
| Beer styles | Pale ales, lagers, stouts, IPAs, pilsners |
| Beer ingredients | Millet, rice, sorghum, hops, ancient grains, buckwheat, water |
| Beer flavors | Sweet, refreshing, floral, hoppy, bitter, crisp, clean, light, fruity |
| Alcohol content | 3.5% to 6% |
| Calories | Fewer calories than full-grain counterparts |
| Consumer profile | People with celiac disease, gluten intolerance, or those on a gluten-free diet |
| Market trends | Growing in popularity, loyal consumer base |
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What You'll Learn
Gluten-free beers in Australia: a growing market
Gluten-free beer options in Australia are steadily growing in popularity, with more breweries entering the market to meet consumer demand. While the gluten-free beer market in Australia is still relatively small, it is important as consumers who buy gluten-free beer are very loyal to the products. This growing market is good news for those who suffer from coeliac disease or gluten intolerance, as it means more choice and better access to gluten-free beer options.
A recent Monash University study found that more than 1 in 10 Australian adults follow a gluten-free diet, with only 0.5% doing so as a result of coeliac disease. This suggests that the demand for gluten-free beer extends beyond those with coeliac disease and includes those who choose a gluten-free diet as a lifestyle choice.
There are now a number of gluten-free beer brands available in Australia, including well-known labels such as Hahn and O'Brien, as well as boutique brands such as Two Bays Brewing Co. and Black Duck Brewery. These beers offer a clean, crisp taste and often have the added benefit of fewer calories. They are made with gluten-free ingredients such as millet, sorghum, and buckwheat instead of the usual barley or wheat.
For those with coeliac disease, it is important to note that there is a difference between "dedicated gluten-free" beers, which are brewed with 100% gluten-free ingredients in a 100% gluten-free facility, and "gluten-reduced" beers, which are brewed with gluten but have the gluten content reduced using an enzyme. While gluten-reduced beers may be suitable for those with mild gluten sensitivities, they are not recommended for people with coeliac disease as they may contain trace amounts of gluten.
The availability of gluten-free beer in Australia is expected to continue to grow, with more breweries recognising the need to supply Aussies with a beer that caters to those who need to avoid gluten for dietary or health reasons. This growing market means that beer lovers with coeliac disease or gluten intolerance can now enjoy a wide range of excellent gluten-free beers, making it much easier to find an option that suits their taste preferences and meets their dietary needs.
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Gluten-free beers: ingredients and brewing process
Gluten-free beers are made from gluten-free grains such as sorghum, rice, millet, buckwheat, quinoa, and corn. Early gluten-free beers often used sorghum, but many brewers have moved away from this ingredient due to its sour flavor. Gluten-free beers can be made at home similarly to traditional beers, using gluten-free ingredients like sorghum syrup, yeast, hops, and other flavoring ingredients.
The brewing process for gluten-free beer is similar to that of traditional beer. The key difference is the need to use a gluten-free fermentable instead of malt, which supplies the sugar that yeast consumes to produce alcohol. Brewers recommend choosing the fermentable first and then building the rest of the recipe around that base. This allows for experimentation with flavor and aroma, a key part of homebrewing.
One popular method for gluten reduction in beer is the use of enzymes that break down gluten proteins into smaller fragments. These enzymes can reduce gluten content to less than 20 parts per million (ppm), which was previously the threshold for the "gluten-free" label set by the U.S. FDA. However, after studies indicated that individuals with severe gluten allergies could react to these low levels, the FDA changed its ruling. Now, beverages with less than 20 ppm of gluten after gluten removal must be labeled "gluten-reduced."
For those with high gluten sensitivity or celiac disease, a zero-tolerance approach is necessary. This involves not only using gluten-free ingredients but also ensuring that the brewing facility and equipment are completely gluten-free to avoid any cross-contamination. While this approach can be challenging due to the difficulty of sourcing gluten-free ingredients and the potential for a different taste, it guarantees the absence of gluten and ensures the beer is safe for individuals with any level of gluten sensitivity.
In Australia, there are several gluten-free beer options available, including O’Brien Pale Ale, Hahn Ultra Crisp, and Black Duck Brewery's Gluten-Free Ginger Beer. These beers offer diverse and new flavors brought out by alternative grains, providing enjoyable drinking experiences for those with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease.
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Gluten-free beer brands: O'Brien, Hahn, Wilde, Two Bays
If you're looking for gluten-free beer options in Australia, there are several brands to choose from. Here's a detailed overview of four popular gluten-free beer brands: O'Brien, Hahn, Wilde, and Two Bays.
O'Brien
O'Brien offers a gluten-free beer option, specifically their Pale Ale. While some drinkers have expressed a skeptical first impression, others have grown to enjoy its unique taste. However, one drinker has described the beer as tasting "mouldy".
Hahn
Hahn has two gluten-free options: the SuperDry GF and the Ultra Crisp. The SuperDry GF is a lager that is easy to drink, full-strength, lower in carbs, preservative-free, and 99% sugar-free. It is brewed with rice instead of other grains, resulting in a unique, pure, and clean taste. The Ultra Crisp is also made from rice and endorsed by Coeliac Australia.
Wilde
Wilde Brewing Co. offers a Gluten-Free Pale Ale that is easy to drink and features tropical fruit flavours. It is made with gluten-free sorghum instead of wheat or barley, resulting in a mid-strength beer with 3.5% alcohol. Wilde ensures that their products are 100% gluten-free through rigorous testing and independent lab analysis. Their brewing process is endorsed by Coeliac Australia, and their beer is also vegan-friendly and low in carbs.
Two Bays
TWØBAYS Brewing Co. offers a range of gluten-free beers brewed using millet, buckwheat, and rice in a dedicated gluten-free brewery on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria. They import the finest gluten-free malts from around the world to create their unique beers.
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Gluten-reduced beers: not suitable for coeliacs
Gluten-reduced beers are made from wheat, barley (malt), or rye that is fermented and treated with an enzyme to break down the gluten protein into smaller compounds. While these beers are considered "gluten-reduced", they are not completely gluten-free and may contain trace amounts of gluten. The amount of gluten present in these beers can vary, and there are currently no tests available to adequately detect gluten in fermented foods, making it difficult to determine the exact gluten content.
For individuals with coeliac disease, the consumption of gluten can trigger an abnormal immune response, damaging the lining of the small intestine and leading to a range of debilitating symptoms. While some coeliacs may be able to tolerate gluten-reduced beers without experiencing adverse effects, the general recommendation is to avoid gluten-reduced beers altogether due to the potential risk of triggering an immune response. The sensitivity to gluten among coeliacs can vary, and it is important for individuals to make informed decisions based on their own experiences and tolerance levels.
The regulations and standards for labelling beers as "gluten-free" or "gluten-reduced" vary across different countries. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allows only products that are gluten-free from the start to be labelled as "gluten-free". In contrast, gluten-reduced beers cannot be sold with a gluten-free label in the US. However, in Europe, gluten-removed beers, which fall under the category of gluten-reduced beers, can be labelled and sold as gluten-free.
While the debate around the safety of gluten-reduced beers for coeliacs continues, it is important to highlight that there are dedicated gluten-free beers available in Australia that are brewed with 100% gluten-free ingredients in a completely gluten-free facility, providing a safer option for individuals with coeliac disease or high gluten sensitivity. These beers offer diverse flavours brought out by alternative grains and are widely accessible in local beer stores.
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Gluten-free beers: widely available in local stores
Gluten-free beer options are steadily growing in popularity in Australia, with more breweries opening daily and offering innovative options. This is good news for the more than 1 in 10 Australian adults who follow a gluten-free diet, with 0.5% doing so as a result of coeliac disease.
If you're looking for gluten-free beers that are widely available in local stores, you're in luck! Here are some popular options:
Hahn Ultra Crisp
Hahn is a mainstream brewer that launched its gluten-free Ultra Crisp beer in Australia last year. It is made from rice instead of wheat or barley and is 99% sugar-free with 4.2% alcohol content. It has been endorsed by Coeliac Australia and is a good option for those seeking a low-carb beer.
Two Bays Brewing Co.
Two Bays offers a range of gluten-free beers, including a Pale Ale and an India Pale Ale, with alcohol content ranging from 4.5% to 6%. Their beers are brewed with malted millet, rice, and buckwheat, and have been endorsed by Coeliac Australia. They also release a new seasonal beer every three months.
O'Brien
O'Brien offers a range of gluten-free beers, including a Premium Lager made using millet and sorghum. Their beers have been endorsed by Coeliac Australia and are known for their distinctive characteristics.
Wilde Pale Ale
Wilde Pale Ale is another low-carb option, relying on sorghum grains for its lightly bitter taste. It has an alcohol content of 3.5% and is also endorsed by Coeliac Australia.
Black Duck Brewery
Black Duck Brewery in Port Macquarie offers a gluten-free Ginger Beer. They also cater to gluten-free diets with their food options.
These are just a few examples of the gluten-free beers widely available in local Australian stores. With the growing popularity of gluten-free options, you can expect to find a variety of choices to suit your taste preferences and dietary needs.
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Frequently asked questions
Some gluten-free beers in Australia include O’Brien, Hahn, Wilde, and Two Bays.
Hahn offers a gluten-free Ultra Crisp beer, which is low-carb and brewed with rice for a clean, crisp taste. They also offer a gluten-free SuperDry beer.
O'Brien offers a gluten-free premium lager, made using millet and sorghum. They also offer a gluten-free Pale Ale.
Two Bays offers a gluten-free Pale Ale, brewed with malted millet, rice, and buckwheat. They also offer a range of other gluten-free craft beers, including an India Pale Ale and a stout.
