White Claw has become one of the most popular hard seltzers on the market in recent years. With its low calorie, low carb, and gluten free claims, White Claw has attracted health-conscious drinkers looking for an alternative to beer, wine, and cocktails. But there has been some debate around whether White Claw truly is gluten free. For people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, knowing for sure if White Claw contains gluten is important. This article will thoroughly examine if there is any gluten in White Claw hard seltzer.
What is White Claw?
White Claw is a brand of hard seltzer owned by Mark Anthony Brands. It was introduced in 2016 and quickly became the top selling hard seltzer in the United States.
Hard seltzers are carbonated beverages containing water, alcohol, and natural flavors. They have a lower calorie and carbohydrate content compared to beer and other alcoholic drinks.
The standard White Claw beverage contains:
– 100 calories
– 2 grams carbs
– 5% alcohol by volume
The alcohol in White Claw comes from fermented sugar. The most popular White Claw flavors include black cherry, ruby grapefruit, lime, mango, and raspberry.
White Claw is marketed as a gluten free, low calorie alternative to beer with its crisp, clean taste. The gluten free claim has drawn in customers trying to avoid gluten.
What is Gluten?
Gluten is a protein found in grains like wheat, barley, and rye. It acts as a glue to give foods like bread their chewy texture.
For people with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, consuming gluten triggers an autoimmune reaction that damages the small intestine. This can cause gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea, abdominal pain, and bloating. Over time, the intestinal damage can lead to malnutrition, anemia, and other complications.
The only treatment for celiac disease is strictly adhering to a gluten free diet. This means avoiding foods and drinks containing wheat, barley, rye, and sometimes oats. With the growing popularity of gluten free diets, the demand for gluten free products has skyrocketed.
Does White Claw Contain Gluten?
According to the manufacturer, White Claw hard seltzer is gluten free. On WhiteClaw.com, it states “White Claw Hard Seltzer is gluten free. It is crafted using a blend of seltzer water, our gluten free alcohol base, and a hint of fruit flavor. Our special brewing process ensures that there is no gluten in the final product.”
So how can White Claw be gluten free when it contains alcohol and many alcoholic beverages are made from gluten grains?
The key is understanding how White Claw makes their alcoholic “base” that goes into the hard seltzer.
How White Claw Makes Their Gluten Free Alcohol Base
Most hard seltzers start with a fermented sugar base. For White Claw, they ferment sugar from gluten free sources like sugar cane, potatoes, brown rice, or tapioca.
According to Mark Anthony Brands:
“White Claw® Hard Seltzer is crafted using a blend of seltzer water, our proprietary brewers’ alcohol and a hint of fruit flavor. Our special brewing process uses fermented sugar to yield a gluten free alcohol base. The alcohol base is then carefully blended with seltzer water and fruit flavor. Our flavors contain no gluten, no grains, no carbohydrates and are OU Kosher certified and GFCO gluten free certified.”
So White Claw’s alcohol does not come from gluten grains like barley or wheat. They use gluten free sugars and carbohydrates to go through the fermentation process.
Many beers are not gluten free because they contain barley or wheat to make their alcohol. But by using gluten free carbohydrates sources instead, White Claw’s hard seltzer avoids this issue.
Third Party Gluten Free Certifications
In addition to the statements from the manufacturer, White Claw has received third party gluten free certifications:
– OU Kosher certification
– GFCO Gluten Free certification
The Orthodox Union (OU) is one of the most widely recognized kosher certification agencies. For a product to be OU Kosher certified, it must not contain any gluten ingredients.
The Gluten Free Certification Organization (GFCO) is a program that provides independent verification that products are gluten free. Certified products must contain less than 10ppm of gluten.
These respected third party certifications provide further validation that White Claw hard seltzers are gluten free. The OU and GFCO certifications give consumers trust in the gluten free claims.
Is There Any Risk of Cross Contamination?
Some people wonder if White Claw could be contaminated with gluten during the production or bottling process.
Since the alcohol base is made from gluten free sources and no gluten ingredients are added, the risk of gluten cross contamination at White Claw’s facility is low. The facility and production lines are kept gluten free.
White Claw states:
“Our gluten free production process happens in a closed environment to eliminate the possibility of gluten cross-contamination. All tests during the brewing process ensure there is no detectable gluten.”
The OU and GFCO certifications also require testing to verify no cross contamination. Overall, the risk of White Claw having traces of gluten from manufacturing is very low.
Are All White Claw Flavors Gluten Free?
All White Claw flavors are gluten free, according to the company. Whether it’s their Black Cherry, Raspberry, Mango, Lime, Watermelon or newer flavors like Lemon or Tangerine – they are all gluten free.
The flavors are added after the initial gluten free fermentation process. The flavors and fruit juices used contain no gluten and do not jeopardize the gluten free status according to White Claw.
Can People with Celiac Disease Drink White Claw?
Based on the manufacturing process and certifications, people with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity should be able to safely consume White Claw products.
Of course, individuals should try a small serving first to see if they have any reaction. But overall White Claw is considered one of the gluten free alcohol choices for people avoiding gluten.
Here are some reviews from people with celiac disease who have drank White Claw without issues:
Annabel says: “I was recently diagnosed with celiac and thought I could never drink again. Then I discovered White Claw! It is one of the only hard seltzers that is truly gluten free. I’ve never gotten sick from drinking it. It’s now my go-to gluten free alcohol option.”
Will says: “As someone very sensitive to gluten, I’m always searching for good gluten free beers and seltzers. White Claw is my favorite because it’s so clean and I never react to it. I can enjoy a 6 pack without any problems. It was a life saver for me after going GF.”
Jenna says: “My doctor recommended White Claw since it is brewed in a dedicated gluten free facility. I’ve tested out a lot of hard ciders and seltzers and White Claw is one of the only brands my stomach can tolerate. Their gluten free process gives me peace of mind that it is safe for celiacs.”
So most celiacs who have tested out White Claw give it high marks. Just remember to drink responsibly and avoid overdoing it, as alcohol can irritate the digestive system. Moderation is key.
Are There Any Beers Similar to White Claw that are Gluten Free?
While White Claw dominates the hard seltzer category, there are some similar gluten free beverage options:
Smirnoff Seltzer
Like White Claw, Smirnoff Seltzer is also made from a fermented sugar base distilled from gluten free ingredients. Popular Smirnoff flavors include cranberry lime, peach, and berry lemonade. Smirnoff Seltzer is certified gluten free to less than 10ppm by GFCO.
Nauti Seltzer
Nauti Seltzer comes in fruit flavors like pineapple and grapefruit. It is gluten free certified by GFCO and contains under 5 ppm of gluten. Nauti is sweetened using sugar and purified water.
Bon & Viv Spiked Seltzer
Bon & Viv’s Spiked Seltzer is another gluten free certified option. It is made with cane sugar alcohol and natural fruit flavors. Bon & Viv seltzers are certified gluten free by the GFCO to meet the FDA’s less than 20ppm of gluten standard.
Bud Light Seltzer
Although Bud Light beer contains gluten, Bud Light Seltzer is gluten free by using cane sugar alcohols. Bud Light Seltzer is certified gluten free by GFCO testing to be under 10ppm. Popular flavors include lemon lime, strawberry, and mango.
So while not exactly the same as White Claw, several other mainstream spiked seltzer brands offer gluten free alternatives. Those with celiac have several popular options to safely enjoy a hard seltzer.
What About Other White Claw Products?
In addition to their hard seltzers, White Claw has expanded their product line to include additional gluten free beverages:
White Claw Hard Seltzer Surge
White Claw Surge has a higher 8% alcohol content compared to the standard 5% seltzers. It comes in Blood Orange and Cranberry flavors. Like the original seltzers, White Claw Surge is gluten free.
White Claw Iced Tea Hard Seltzer
Combining hard seltzer with iced tea, these have 70 calories and less than 1g of sugar per can. The Peach and Raspberry Tea flavors are gluten free.
White Claw Hard Seltzer 70
White Claw 70 has only 70 calories per can for a lower calorie option. Flavors include Pineapple and Clementine. These are also gluten free.
So all White Claw products including their Surge, Iced Tea, and 70 lines are gluten free just like their flagship hard seltzer. Those avoiding gluten have many White Claw offerings to choose from.
The Bottom Line – Is White Claw Gluten Free?
Based on an extensive review of the ingredients, manufacturing process, and certifications – White Claw can definitively be considered gluten free.
For people with celiac disease and gluten intolerance, White Claw presents a gluten free alcohol option. While individual reactions may vary, White Claw undergoes rigorous testing to ensure no detectable gluten. Their production process and facility prevent cross contamination of gluten as well.
So the consensus is that White Claw in all their flavors contains no gluten and is safe to drink for those avoiding gluten. White Claw provides a refreshing hard seltzer to enjoy without worrying about gluten reaction.
