Quick Answer
Dos Equis beer does contain gluten. The brewery’s website states that Dos Equis Ambar and Lager Especial both contain gluten from the malted barley used in production. People with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity should avoid drinking Dos Equis as it contains gluten and is not gluten-free.
In Depth Answer
Dos Equis is a Mexican beer brand owned by Heineken. It is one of the most popular imported beer brands in the United States. The two main varieties of Dos Equis are Dos Equis Ambar and Dos Equis Lager Especial.
Both Dos Equis Ambar and Lager Especial are made from malted barley, along with hops, yeast, and water. Malted barley contains gluten. Therefore, both varieties of Dos Equis contain gluten and are not suitable for people following a gluten-free diet.
According to the Dos Equis website:
“Dos Equis Ambar and Lager Especial contain gluten from barley. Therefore, this product cannot be classified as gluten-free.”
The website also states people with celiac disease or sensitivity to gluten should avoid drinking Dos Equis.
What is Gluten?
Gluten is a protein found in grains like wheat, barley, and rye. It acts as a glue that helps foods maintain their shape and texture. For most people, gluten does not cause any issues.
However, for those with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, gluten can trigger an autoimmune reaction that damages the small intestine. This can cause gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea, bloating, and abdominal pain. Over time, the damage to the intestines can also lead to malnutrition and other complications.
The only treatment for celiac disease or gluten sensitivity is adhering to a strict lifelong gluten-free diet. This means avoiding any foods or beverages made from gluten-containing grains, including barley.
Why Dos Equis Contains Gluten
Dos Equis contains gluten because it is brewed from malted barley. Barley is a grain that naturally contains gluten proteins.
During the malting process, barley grains are steeped in water to initiate germination. This activates enzymes that begin breaking down starches into sugars that can be fermented. It also makes the gluten proteins more soluble.
The germinated barley, known as malted barley, is then dried and sometimes roasted. This stops the germination process while preserving the converted starches and soluble gluten proteins.
When malted barley is brewed into beer, the soluble gluten proteins remain intact and are carried through into the final product.
While the fermentation process may reduce the gluten content slightly, not enough gluten is broken down to make Dos Equis safe for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
Testing for Gluten
The gluten content of Dos Equis has been tested and verified by independent gluten testing laboratories.
One notable study was conducted by the Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG), a leader in gluten-related disorders and education. In their study, GIG tested seven popular Mexican beer brands, including Dos Equis Ambar and Lager Especial.
The study found Dos Equis Ambar contained 49 parts per million (ppm) of gluten while Dos Equis Lager Especial contained 53 ppm.
This amount exceeds the FDA limit of 20 ppm for foods to be labelled as “gluten-free”. Therefore, the study definitively concluded that Dos Equis contains gluten and should be avoided by those following a gluten-free diet.
Cross-Contamination Risk
In addition to containing gluten from barley, there is also a risk of cross-contamination with other gluten sources during production and packaging of Dos Equis.
The facility and equipment used to make Dos Equis may also process other gluten-containing beers and ingredients. Some residual gluten could be introduced into the Dos Equis during the brewing process.
Packaging and bottling areas also pose a cross-contamination risk if shared with other gluten-containing products. Grains of barley or wheat could mix with the Dos Equis beer during bottling or sealing.
While the degree of gluten from cross-contamination may vary, it still poses a risk for those highly sensitive. Those with celiac disease should exercise caution when consuming products made in shared facilities with gluten.
Related Beers Also Contain Gluten
In addition to its core brands, Dos Equis produces several other varieties of beer that also contain gluten. These include:
– Dos Equis XX Special Lager: Made with malted barley
– Dos Equis XX Amber Lager: Made with malted barley
– Dos Equis XX Lager: Made with malted barley
– Dos Equis Coastal Lager: Made with malted barley
Since malted barley contains gluten, these additional Dos Equis beers should be considered unsafe for gluten-free diets. Anyone with celiac disease or gluten intolerance should avoid these beers as well.
The only Dos Equis products that may be potentially gluten-free are their cider varieties. Cider is made from apples rather than gluten-containing grains. However, cider could still be subject to cross-contamination during production.
Gluten-Free Mexican Beer Alternatives
While standard Dos Equis contains gluten, there are several good Mexican beer options for those following a gluten-free diet:
| Gluten-Free Brand | Style |
|---|---|
| Estrella Damm Daura | Lager |
| Modelo Especial | Pilsner-style lager |
| Tecate Light | Light lager |
| Corona Premier | Low-carb light lager |
These Mexican beers are made from ingredients like millet, rice, corn, and yeast. They undergo special gluten removal processes to reduce gluten levels below 20 ppm.
Gluten-removed beers like Omission also offer Dos Equis-like lagers for celiacs. However, gluten-removed beers may still contain traces of gluten and are controversial in the celiac community. Those highly sensitive should exercise caution with these options.
Ciders from Mexican brands like Tierra Caliente and Dulce Vida provide gluten-free alternatives as well. But they do not mimic the flavor profile of a Mexican lager like Dos Equis.
Ultimately, celiacs have several good options for gluten-free Mexican beers that can stand in for Dos Equis. But those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance should always double-check the gluten status before consuming.
Risks of Gluten Exposure
For those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, consuming Dos Equis poses considerable health risks:
- Severe gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal pain
- Vomiting and malabsorption of nutrients
- Fatigue, headaches, “brain fog”, and mood issues
- Skin rashes, joint pain, and other inflammatory issues
- In children, failure to grow and develop properly
- Increased risk of anemia, osteoporosis, infertility, neurological issues and certain cancers
- Exacerbation of other autoimmune diseases
These symptoms and complications can result from even small amounts of gluten exposure. For those with celiac disease, the immune system reaction to gluten also causes damage to the intestinal villi. This can lead to long-term poor nutrient absorption if gluten consumption continues.
Over time, the complications of celiac disease increase the risk of other serious health issues if left untreated. For example, the rate of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is significantly elevated in people with uncontrolled celiac.
The only way to manage celiac disease or gluten intolerance is avoiding gluten completely. While the occasional accidental gluten exposure may cause symptoms, it likely does not increase long-term complications and risks in otherwise well-managed celiac disease.
However, those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity should make every effort to avoid Dos Equis and other gluten-containing foods to preserve their health.
What About Gluten-Removed Beers?
Some beers like Omission undergo proprietary processes to reduce the gluten content below 20 ppm, qualifying them as “gluten-removed”. These provide gluten-sensitive consumers more beer options.
However, the safety of gluten-removed beers is controversial in the celiac community. While most test below 20 ppm, some studies have detected residual gluten in these beers. There are also questions around the test methods used.
Some celiacs report reacting to gluten-removed beers, while others consume them without issues. Those highly sensitive should use caution and listen to their own bodies’ responses. For celiacs requiring undetectable gluten, gluten-removed beers may be too risky.
Gluten-removed beers can contain trace amounts of gluten due to:
- Use of gluten-containing cereals like barley in the brewing process
- Residual gluten not fully broken down during processing
- Gluten introduced through cross-contamination
- Testing limitations – residual gluten may exist below current detection thresholds
While deemed safe for most gluten-sensitive individuals, the amount of residual gluten in these beers can be problematic for those with celiac disease or who are highly sensitive.
Given the uncertainties around testing and potential trace gluten, celiacs have to weigh the evidence and make their own personal decision on whether to consume gluten-removed beers.
Conclusion
Dos Equis Ambar and Lager Especial both contain gluten due to their ingredients and brewing process. As confirmed by gluten testing studies, the level of gluten exceeds the FDA threshold for gluten-free labeling.
People with celiac disease, non-celiac gluten sensitivity, or those avoiding gluten for other reasons should not drink Dos Equis beer. Instead, they can choose certified gluten-free Mexican beer alternatives to remain compliant with a gluten-free diet and avoid adverse health effects.
While new gluten-removed beer options seemingly offer more choice, celiacs should exercise caution with these products due to uncertainties around testing methodology and potential trace gluten content. When in doubt, avoidance of all gluten risk is the safest approach for those with celiac disease.
