Guinness is one of the most iconic beers in the world. I used to love it for its deep color, creamy head, and bold roasted flavor. If you’re gluten-free, you may wonder if it’s safe to enjoy a pint of this Irish stout. Let’s take a closer look at what Guinness is made from and whether it is safe for those with Celiac disease and gluten intolerance.
Quick Answer:
No, Guinness is not gluten-free. Guinness is brewed with barley, a gluten-containing grain, and it contains more than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten. This makes it unsafe for people with celiac disease or gluten intolerance, even in small amounts.
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If you’re gluten-free, it’s best to avoid Guinness and choose a certified gluten-free beer instead.
What is Guinness Beer Made Of?
Guinness is a dark Irish stout made primarily from malted barley, water, hops, and yeast. The barley is roasted, which gives Guinness its signature deep color and smooth, slightly bitter flavor, and is often described as having strong coffee or dark chocolate notes.
But because barley contains gluten, Guinness is not safe for anyone following a strict gluten-free diet.
Although some beers made from barley test under 20 ppm, Guinness itself has confirmed it is not gluten-free, and ELISA testing methods aren’t accurate for fermented products like beer.
What About Other Light Beers?
There is a common misconception that light beers (like Stella Artois, Corona, Bud Light, Bud Light Lime, Miller Light, and Michelob Ultra) are gluten-free because some test under 20ppm, but this is false. These beers, as with most conventional beers, are made with barley. They become light only because enzymes are added during the production process that break down the barley’s carbohydrates, leaving a more transparent liquid.
As I discussed in the article, Is Corona Gluten-Free, ELISA testing is inaccurate for fermented beer, making it difficult to know the actual gluten content in a beer.
Gluten-Free Beer Options:
If you miss having a stout or lager, here are real gluten-free beers you can try:
- Redbridge Lager
- Bards – One of the first gluten-free beers in the U.S.
- Buck Wild Pale Ale
- Glütiny Pale Ale
- Prairie Path Golden Ale
- Ghostfish Watchstander stout
- Copperhead Copper Ale
- Redbridge
- Glutenberg and Gutenberg Blonde
- Ground Breaker (100% gluten-free brewery (they also make a stout!)
These beers are brewed without gluten from the start (usually with sorghum, millet, or rice), not just “gluten-removed.”
What About Other Alcohol?
- Wine is usually gluten-free, but some flavored or spiced varieties may contain gluten.
- Hard cider, tequila, vodka, and rum are also typically gluten-free, as long as nothing is added after distillation.
You can read about wine in Does Wine Have Gluten and see what to drink.
⚠️ Always double-check product labels and manufacturing practices, since brands can change ingredients or processing methods without warning.
