Hard seltzers are opening gluten-free doors that beer never dreamed of.

For those with gluten sensitivities, allergies, or general intolerance, hard seltzers are a blessing from above. While some beers have reduced gluten or are even gluten-free, the options pale in comparison to the variety of choices hard seltzers offer, particularly when it comes to different flavor profiles. But what exactly is all this gluten business anyway?

Gluten is a substance that can be found in pastas, breads, cereals, and a variety of other grains.  That’s why it is heavily present in beers and alcohol through grains like barley, wheat and rye. For people with health issues such as celiac disease, these grains can cause inflammation and stomach and digestive problems, like damage to their intestinal tracts. Barley, wheat and rye are incredibly common in beer, and most beers have at least one of the three in their malt.

Most hard seltzers, on the other hand, are completely gluten free. The difference is that many hard seltzers don’t use grains during brewing to create their flavors and alcohol content. You’d be hard-pressed to find a popular seltzer that was created using malts. Instead hard seltzers use natural flavors and cane sugar to create their taste, cutting gluten right out of the mix. Urban Tastebud has put together a highly informative list of the major gluten-free hard seltzers being made in 2020 here.

An article in Women’s Health last year asked dietitians and nutritionists about the pros and cons of hard seltzers, and compared to beer, hard seltzer takes the cake. The positives according to the dietitians and nutritionists include: a lack of gluten, reduced sugars and carbohydrates, lower calorie counts, and less sodium on average than your favorite brand of beer.

From an article in Healthline: ““Hard seltzers usually have between 5 to 7 percent [alcohol by volume], making them a lower alcohol choice compared with wine, some beers, and mixed cocktails,” Libby Mills, MS, RDN, LDN, FAND, a registered dietitian nutritionist and national spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, told Healthline. “Less alcohol means fewer calories,” she added.  For those with gluten sensitivities and allergies who are health-minded, most hard seltzers are a double win.

As the hard seltzer market continues to grow and new flavors and styles are introduced, the variety of gluten-free beverages available to consumers will only get better. This is great news for drinkers trying to keep the grains out of their drinks.

James Granatowski
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