Many Beers, Including “Gluten Free” Brands, Contain A Barley-Derived Gluten

Australian researchers report that most of the 60 brands of beer they tested, including some marketed as “low-gluten”, contain enough of a gluten known as hordein to cause symptoms associated with celiac disease. Eight of the beers labeled “gluten free” did not contain gluten, but two “gluten free” brands contained as much gluten as regular beer. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder caused by exposure to gluten, a protein found in foods and beverages made from barley, wheat and rye. Symptoms include constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, etc.  The only treatment is to follow a gluten free diet. Hordein is the gluten component found in barley-based beers.