Gluten-free beer

**Jimmy B** · 2nd March 2007, 09:59

Hey,

My Brother in law is a celiac (gluten intolerant) which effectively means that he is unable to drink beer. There was a piece on Campbell Live the other night on this subject and I think I heard that a company called “Twisted Hop” was importing gluten free beer.

Has anybody seen this or know where it is retailed, preferably Auckland?

Thank in advance

JB

**riffer** · 2nd March 2007, 10:09

Interesting. My young fella will be rapt. Of course he can't buy it for 11 years yet though...

Is it on the Manufactured Food Database yet?

They maintain a list of all allergen-free foods and beverages. Check there.

**Jimmy B** · 2nd March 2007, 10:29

Originally Posted by riffer

Interesting. My young fella will be rapt. Of course he can't buy it for 11 years yet though...

Is it on the Manufactured Food Database yet?

They maintain a list of all allergen-free foods and beverages. Check there.

Hi Riffer,

Yep its a bit of a mjaor when the lads are having a couple of beers and my Bro has to kick straight into the wine or vodka - He was never a big beer drinker but I think he'd sometimes kill for a coldie, so this development is kindof exciting.

I dont know if it is on the database, but that has also been very helpful, infact my family has switched to a few gluten free products even though we dont need to.

Since posting I have found the place and it is in ChCh, the beer is imported from Aussie and is call "O'Brien's". Its a 5% lager and is definitely brewed for Celiacs. Cost is $120 per slab (24 x 330ml botts or $5 each) plus $20 shipping anywhere in NZL. At that cost its not one to pull out for a binge with the lads aye...

Would be interested to know if anyone has tasted the stuff as a lot of GF substitutes are really different in taste and texture eg bread

**Steam** · 2nd March 2007, 10:47

Gluten free beer is really easy to homebrew yourself, as easy as normal beer, and cheaper than $5 a bottle! Plus you could sell it on the sly to celiacs all over NZ.

**Jimmy B** · 2nd March 2007, 10:52

Originally Posted by Steam

Gluten free beer is really easy to homebrew yourself, as easy as normal beer, and cheaper than $5 a bottle! Plus you could sell it on the sly to celiacs all over NZ.

Hey Steam,

Thanks for that, I have brewed heaps in the past but never seen a Gluten free kit. Mind you never really looked until my Bro got diagnosed.

Have you got any more info?

**Steam** · 2nd March 2007, 10:55

Originally Posted by Jimmy B

Thanks for that, I have brewed heaps in the past but never seen a Gluten free kit.

It's not a kit sadly. You do it from scratch, with gluten-free grains and hops and sugar and yeast. And boiling, etc. I think it used special oats or barley or something, some guy in Dunedin was doing it for a celiac mate of his, won a competition with it I think for "Special Brew" at the homebrew club.

**bistard** · 2nd March 2007, 11:06

I would be very keen to know about this beer as well
I have celiacs also,I still drink beer & just put up with the nasty side effects,I did change to cider for a while,but its not the same is it!!

**Jimmy B** · 2nd March 2007, 11:06

Originally Posted by Steam

It's not a kit sadly. You do it from scratch, with gluten-free grains and hops and sugar and yeast. And boiling, etc. I think it used special oats or barley or something, some guy in Dunedin was doing it for a celiac mate of his, won a competition with it I think for "Special Brew" at the homebrew club.

Bummer mate but thanks anyway. Sounds a bit beyond my limited skills and I am not sure that Mrs JB would appreciate my attempts to Malt 50KGs of cereal in the Kitchen...mind you, only one way to find out I guess

**Jimmy B** · 2nd March 2007, 11:11

Originally Posted by bistard

I would be very keen to know about this beer as well
I have celiacs also,I still drink beer & just put up with the nasty side effects,I did change to cider for a while,but its not the same is it!!

Hey Bistard

Check here:

http://thetwistedhop.co.nz/mainpages/glutenfree.html

I did a bit of research a while ago and if you are going to drink normal beer it may pay to check out sapporo - This is made using a different malt and then finely filtered, according to the doc's the Gluten will still be present but in vastly lower amounts - still not reccommended but hey its your body mate so maybe have a session and see how it is. I would certainly like to hear if its any better. My Bro wont try it cause any beer just nails him

Edit:

This probably sums it up best:

http://www.celiac.com/st_prod.html?p_prodid=413

Good luck mate and thanks

**bistard** · 2nd March 2007, 12:11

Hey,thanks for the info,at $5.00 a 330mil bottle,plus freight is abit steep,knowing how much I consume I will put up with the side effects
I actually have more issues with bread,it knocks me for a six
I tell you its bloody hard not to eat gluten,you go & try to buy lunch,no pies,sandwiches,pizza,pasta,burgers,pastry,but your brother inlaw will know all about that
If you find a miracle cure or cheap piss let me know
Bistard

**Jimmy B** · 2nd March 2007, 12:18

Originally Posted by bistard

I actually have more issues with bread,it knocks me for a six
I tell you its bloody hard not to eat gluten,you go & try to buy lunch,no pies,sandwiches,pizza,pasta,burgers,pastry,but your brother inlaw will know all about that
If you find a miracle cure or cheap piss let me know
Bistard

Will do Bistard and yes especially lunchtime requires a bit of planning. He eats a lot of sushi or salad if he gets caught out. Most bakeries have nothing suitable.

A few takeaway places in our area are getting onto it with GF Pizza and Fish and Chips. I think the public awareness of how many people actually have this (wether they know it or not) is gathering some momentum, hopefully more consumer choices for Celiacs will follow

Edit - forgot to mention that in Europe they dont actually seem to have a problem with Celiacs drinking beer - so maybe as you say this is not too bad for some

All the best

JB