Gluten free diets have become increasingly popular in recent years, with more and more people choosing to avoid gluten for health or dietary reasons. For those who follow a gluten free diet, checking labels and understanding what foods and drinks contain gluten is essential. One popular drink that often raises questions is Bud Light hard soda, specifically – is Bud Light hard soda gluten free?
What is Bud Light hard soda?
Bud Light hard soda is a line of fruit flavored malt beverages introduced by Anheuser-Busch in 2016. It has a higher alcohol content than regular Bud Light beer, typically between 5-6% ABV depending on the flavor. The hard sodas are carbonated and flavored with natural flavors, containing no beer ingredients. Flavors include Black Cherry, Mango, Strawberry, and Pineapple.
The sodas are marketed by Anheuser-Busch as premium spiked sparkling waters. While regular Bud Light is brewed with barley and rice, the hard sodas do not contain any gluten-containing grains. Instead, they are fermented from cane sugar, glucose-fructose, citric acid, natural flavors, and colors.
What is gluten and gluten free?
Gluten is a type of protein found naturally in grains like wheat, barley, and rye. For most people, gluten does not cause any issues or negative health effects. However, for those with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, gluten can trigger a serious autoimmune response and cause damage to the small intestine. This can lead to symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, fatigue, headaches, and more. The only treatment for celiac disease is strictly and completely avoiding all foods and drinks containing gluten.
When a food or drink is labeled as “gluten free,” it means the item contains less than 20 parts per million of gluten. This trace amount is generally considered safe for most people who need to follow a gluten free diet. Checking labels for a gluten free certification and looking at ingredient lists is key for those avoiding gluten.
Are the Bud Light hard sodas gluten free?
After reviewing the ingredients lists and information shared by Anheuser-Busch, Bud Light hard sodas are considered gluten-free. Since they are fermented from cane sugar and natural flavors instead of gluten-containing grains, Bud Light hard sodas do not contain barley, rye, or wheat.
In 2016 when the hard sodas were launched, Anheuser-Busch released the following statement confirming the drinks are gluten free:
“Bud Light Hard Soda can be enjoyed by those who have celiac disease or are on a gluten-free diet. Bud Light Hard Soda is brewed differently than traditional Bud Light and is fermented from cane sugar and natural flavors. There are no gluten-containing ingredients in Bud Light Hard Soda.”
Additionally, Bud Light hard sodas are labeled as “gluten free” and carry the certified gluten free seal from the Gluten Intolerance Group on their packaging. The Gluten Intolerance Group is considered one of the most reputable gluten free certification organizations, with strict standards:
- Facilities must test all ingredients for gluten and be subject to inspections
- Products must test below 10 parts per million of gluten
- Manufacturing protocols must prevent cross-contamination
The gluten free logo from the Gluten Intolerance Group confirms Bud Light hard sodas are safe for those avoiding gluten. The hard sodas are produced in dedicated gluten free facilities and all ingredients and processes are verified to prevent any gluten cross-contact.
Are all Bud Light products gluten free?
While the Bud Light hard sodas are gluten free, it is important to note that regular Bud Light beer and other Bud Light products are NOT gluten free. The regular Bud Light formula does contain barley, which is a gluten-containing grain. Those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity should continue avoiding regular Bud Light beer and other malt beverages from Anheuser-Busch unless labeled as gluten free.
What about other spiked seltzer brands?
In addition to the Bud Light hard sodas, there are many other brands of spiked sparkling waters and hard seltzers on the market claiming to be gluten free. Here is the gluten free status of some other popular spiked seltzer brands:
| Brand | Gluten Free Status |
|---|---|
| White Claw | Labeled gluten free |
| Truly | Labeled gluten free |
| Bon & Viv | Labeled gluten free |
| Nauti Seltzer | Not labeled gluten free* |
| Smirnoff Seltzer | Not labeled gluten free* |
*Brands not explicitly labeled gluten free may still be safe for gluten free diets, but require more research into manufacturing processes and ingredients. Reaching out to the company directly may be needed.
Are there any risks of cross-contamination?
While Bud Light hard sodas contain no gluten ingredients, those following gluten free diets also need to consider potential cross-contamination during manufacturing and packaging processes. Even tiny amounts of gluten can trigger reactions in those with celiac disease or gluten intolerances.
Based on the information provided by Anheuser-Busch and the certification from the Gluten Intolerance Group, Bud Light hard sodas appear to be produced in dedicated gluten-free facilities with rigorous protocols to prevent any cross-contamination. The hard sodas pass extensive gluten testing before packaging. Individuals should feel comfortable consuming Bud Light hard sodas, but as when introducing any new product into a gluten free diet, take note of any adverse reactions.
Are there any additional ingredients to watch out for?
Aside from avoiding gluten, individuals following specialized diets need to pay close attention to all ingredients in foods and beverages. When reviewing the Bud Light Hard Soda ingredients, here are a few other aspects to consider:
- Dairy ingredients – Bud Light hard sodas do not contain any dairy ingredients like lactose. They are safe for dairy-free diets.
- Sugar and sweeteners – The hard sodas are sweetened with sugar and contain glucose-fructose. Those on low sugar or carb-conscious diets may want to limit consumption.
- Fruit flavors – The fruit flavors are all natural, but may trigger sensitivities for those with allergies to particular fruits.
- Sulfites – Bud Light hard sodas contain sulfites, which can trigger reactions in some individuals who are sulfite-sensitive.
Always examine the full ingredients list and nutrition labels when making dietary choices. Individual dietary needs and restrictions can vary widely. When in doubt, contact the manufacturer for more details.
The bottom line
After reviewing the ingredients list, information from Anheuser-Busch, and the certified gluten free seals, Bud Light hard sodas can be considered gluten free and safe for those following gluten free diets. The sodas are fermented from cane sugar and natural flavors, without any gluten ingredients like barley, rye, or wheat. They are produced in dedicated gluten free facilities and undergo extensive testing.
However, regular Bud Light beer and malt beverages are NOT gluten free, so those avoiding gluten should be careful not to confuse the Bud Light hard sodas with regular Bud Light products. Anyone following a gluten free diet should pay close attention to packaging labels and ingredients lists, and when in doubt, reach out to manufacturers directly for the most up to date information.