There’s a lot of controversy surrounding Corona beer and whether it’s truly gluten-free. If you’re gluten-free for health reasons or have celiac disease, you may be wondering: Is Corona safe to drink? Let’s break down the facts about Corona and gluten content so you can make an informed choice.
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Quick Answer:
No, Corona is not gluten-free. It is brewed with barley malt, one of the main gluten-containing grains (alongside wheat and rye). This means Corona is not safe for those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance.
Even though some websites and individuals claim that Corona beer tests below the FDA’s 20 ppm gluten threshold, this is misleading. Here’s why:
- Barley Malt = Gluten
Barley contains gluten proteins, which are not safe for those with celiac disease. Corona lists barley malt as one of its ingredients, so there is no question that it contains gluten. - Misleading Manufacturer Claims
On Corona’s own website, they state that their beers contain traces of gluten. They also acknowledge that their beers are not tested to confirm a gluten-free status. - Faulty Gluten Testing in Beer (see below for a longer explanation)
The current method for gluten testing in beer—called ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay)—is not reliable for fermented products like beer. Fermentation breaks gluten into fragments that may not be detected accurately by these tests, which means a beer could still contain gluten but test “low” or undetectable.
Let’s look at the facts.
First, let’s look at the ingredients. The number two ingredient is barley malt. The three main gluten-containing grains are wheat, barley, and rye. Barley malt, a gluten protein, is on Corona’s ingredient label, making it a definite “NO” ingredient for anyone who is Celiac or gluten-free.
Gluten is not safe, and whether you feel gluten symptoms or not, gluten will damage your intestinal tract if you are Celiac.
Second, if you don’t believe me, this is straight from Corona’s website FAQ. Corona states on its website that its beers have traces of gluten. If Corona says their product is not tested for gluten, I take them at their word.
Some people say they can drink Corona Beer, which doesn’t affect them, but if they are Celiac, the gluten damages their intestines, whether they notice it or not. For those who have gluten intolerance, it probably will depend on their sensitivity level and if they have other autoimmune diseases that are affected by inflammation.
What is Corona Beer?
Corona is a Mexican beer company that makes four different beer flavors, including a line of hard seltzers. Some gluten free people claim that Corona is gluten free and that they can drink it without any issues. These individuals claim that the distillation process removes gluten during the brewing process.
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Can Beer Be Accurately Tested For Gluten?
The testing methods for gluten in beer are inaccurate, and this is where the problem lies. The current test for beer is called an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or ELISA. This test is supposed to identify those antigens that trigger an immune response. It uses antibodies to identify antigens by shaping and binding to them.
The problem with these test results is that the fermentation process for beer can disguise those antigens from ELISA. If testing beer isn’t accurate, then Corona can’t accurately test the gluten content of their beer. They pretty much state this on their website.
If current testing can’t tell if a beer, like Corona, is gluten free, how can anyone say with any accuracy that Corona tests under the 20 ppm FDA guidelines level? Can you say false negatives? This is what is happening. Forbes “A New Test To Make Sure Your Beer Is Gluten-Free.”
What About Gluten-Removed Beers?
Many people confuse “gluten-removed” beers with being gluten-free. Gluten-removed beers are still made with barley or wheat and then treated with enzymes to break down the gluten. However, as mentioned above, gluten fragments may still remain, and testing can miss them!
If you’re gluten-free for medical reasons, gluten-removed beer is not a safe option.
Gluten-Free Beer Brands:
Luckily, there are many delicious gluten-free beers on the market that are brewed without gluten-containing grains. These are often made from sorghum, millet, rice, or buckwheat instead of wheat or barley. Here are some brands to try:
- Bard’s
- Ground Breaker
- Armoured Cow
- Red Bridge
- Glutenberg
- Alt Brew
- B.C. Brewery
- Buck Wild
- Burning Brother’s Brewing
- Ghostfish Brewing
You can also enjoy non-beer alternatives, such as hard ciders or Corona Hard Seltzer, which are truly gluten-free. (In case you haven’t tried canned seltzer, it’s a tasty spiked seltzer water that usually comes in delicious flavors.)
Check out the Corona Web Story too! Find out Is Wine Gluten-Free?
⚠️ Always double-check product labels and manufacturing practices, since brands can change ingredients or processing methods without warning.
