Cider, also known as hard cider in North America, is an alcoholic beverage made from the fermented juice of apples. The gluten content of cider depends on the ingredients and production process. Some ciders are gluten-free, while others contain gluten.
What is Stella cidre?
Stella Artois cider, also known as Stella cidre, is a cider produced by Anheuser-Busch InBev, the makers of Stella Artois beer. Stella cidre was introduced in 2011 and is currently sold in several countries around the world.
Stella cidre is made with apples from Europe and undergoes fermentation and filtration processes before bottling. It has an alcohol content of 4.5% ABV and is available in different flavor variants like Raspberry, Peach, Pear, etc.
Is cider gluten free?
Traditionally, cider is made solely from apples and does not contain any gluten ingredients. However, some producers may add other ingredients or processing aids that can introduce gluten, such as:
- Grains like barley, wheat, rye, spelt – contain gluten
- Malt extract – can be derived from barley
- Clarifying agents – some derived from wheat or barley
- Flavors and spices – can be thickened with wheat flour
So while apple cider is naturally gluten-free, the final product may or may not contain gluten depending on the manufacturing process.
Is Stella cidre gluten free?
According to Anheuser-Busch InBev, Stella Artois cider (Stella cidre) is gluten-free. The company states that Stella cidre is produced without the use of wheat, barley, rye or malt – meaning it does not contain any gluten ingredients.
Here are some key points about the gluten content of Stella cidre:
- Made from fermented apple juice, without grains like wheat/barley/rye
- Does not contain malt or malt extract
- Clarifying agents used are gluten-free
- Natural flavors and spices used do not contain gluten
- Produced at facilities that do not handle wheat/gluten
- Labeled as “gluten-free” on the packaging
Based on this, Stella Artois cider can be considered gluten-free as per the company’s manufacturing processes and disclosures. However, it is always advisable to check the label carefully for any changes in ingredients or allergen warnings.
Verifying gluten free claim
For consumers with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, verifying the gluten-free status of any product is important. Here are some ways to verify if Stella cidre is gluten-free:
- Check the product label mentions “gluten-free”
- Contact the customer care to inquire if any changes were made in production process or ingredients from a previously certified gluten-free batch
- Look for independent gluten-free certifications like Certified Gluten-Free by GFCO (Gluten-Free Certification Organization)
- Check reputable gluten-free watchdog sites like Glutenfreewatchdog for third-party lab test reports
- If concerned, contact the manufacturer and request gluten testing reports for the product lot in question
Stella Artois cidre’s website and product information does indicate it is gluten-free. However, those wanting extra assurance can consider contacting the customer care or checking for additional certifications indicating the gluten-free status.
Risk of cross contamination
Even if a cider product contains no gluten containing ingredients, there can be a risk of cross contamination during processing and bottling – if equipment is shared with other gluten containing products.
Some key risks include:
- Shared equipment – filling lines, piping, bottling machines
- Shared facilities – made in the same premises as other gluten containing beers
- Use of common ingredients like malt extracts, flavors
- Airborne flour particles – from other grains handled in facility
For Stella cidre, according to Anheuser-Busch InBev:
- Produced in dedicated gluten-free cider houses
- No shared equipment with beer production
- All ingredients sourced from gluten-free suppliers
- Rigorous allergen control program followed during production
This minimizes the chances of cross contamination with gluten. The company states Stella cidre has less than 10ppm of gluten from any potential cross contact.
Stella cidre nutrition facts
Here is the nutrition information per 12oz serving of Stella Artois cider (Stella cidre):
| Nutrition Facts | Per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 153 |
| Carbs | 10 g |
| Sugars | 10 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
Stella cidre is low in carbohydrates, protein and fat. The main nutrition is from cider’s natural simple sugars. Being gluten-free, it is free of complex gluten proteins. Cider does contain trace amounts of vitamins like Vitamin C and minerals like calcium, magnesium, potassium.
Stella cidre gluten free certifications
Stella Artois cider bears the following gluten-free certifications on its product labeling
- Certified Gluten-Free by GFCO (Gluten-Free Certification Organization)
- Tested and certified gluten-free by Covance Laboratories
GFCO requires less than 10ppm of gluten for finished products to be certified gluten-free. Covance Laboratories is an independent food testing lab that also verifies the gluten-free status through analytical testing.
These certifications provide added assurance to gluten-sensitive consumers about the measures taken by the brand to avoid cross contamination.
Is Stella cidre safe for celiacs?
For people with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity, consuming gluten can cause adverse reactions and health issues. Celiac associations like Beyond Celiac recommend less than 20ppm of gluten as safe for most celiacs.
Considering Stella cidre’s production process, gluten testing and certifications, the risk of gluten exposure is very low.
However, celiac individuals have varying sensitivity levels. The tolerance also depends on the amount consumed. Children tend to be more sensitive than adults.
So while Stella cidre is considered safe for celiacs by most standards, it is best for those newly diagnosed or highly sensitive to exercise caution and consume in moderation to watch for any reactions.
Precautions for celiacs
Here are some precautions celiac individuals can take with Stella Artois cider:
- Consume only 1 serving to test tolerance initially
- Check current labels to ensure no recipe/process changes
- Inquire with company if any concerns about production
- Introduce gradually along with a gluten-free diet
- Watch out for symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea
- Seek medical advice if having persistent symptoms or concerns
Is Stella cidre safe during pregnancy?
While Stella cidre is considered gluten-free, intake of alcohol during pregnancy is usually not recommended. High levels of alcohol in pregnancy have known risks like premature birth, miscarriage, stillbirth.
However, occasional light drinking may be considered low risk by some authorities. The National Health Service (NHS) in UK suggests pregnant women consume no more than 1-2 units of alcohol once or twice a week. One unit is around 125ml of cider at 4.5% ABV.
The key is moderation and caution – limiting to only occasional light consumption after first trimester. Abstinence is considered safest. Consult your obstetrician about specific advice regarding alcohol intake.
Guidelines for pregnant women
Here are some general guidelines regarding Stella cidre consumption during pregnancy:
- Avoid in first trimester due to higher risks
- Consume no more than 4-8oz (125-250ml) no more than twice a week
- Never have more than 1 serving at a time
- Avoid becoming intoxicated
- Drink only with food and plenty of water
- Listen to your body – stop if feeling any discomfort
- Consult your doctor about alcohol risks in your specific condition
Is Stella cidre vegetarian/vegan?
Stella Artois cider is considered both vegetarian and vegan friendly. It is made from fermented apple juice and does not contain any animal-derived ingredients.
Here are some key points about Stella cidre’s vegetarian/vegan status:
- Made from apples, no animal-based ingredients
- Suitable for lacto-vegetarian and ovo-vegetarian diets
- No animal products like egg, dairy, honey used
- Clarifying/filtration agents used are plant-based, not derived from fish bladder
- No mention of animal products in allergen warnings
- Not handled or processed using any animal-derived fining agents
However, vegans should note that the cider is clarified using organic plant proteins like pea or potato protein. So while suitable for a vegan diet, it is not strictly a “raw” vegan product.
Is Stella cidre Keto friendly?
The ketogenic or keto diet involves following very low carb, high fat and moderate protein intake. Alcohol is generally considered incompatible with ketosis.
Some key points on Stella cidre’s keto-friendliness:
- Carbs: Around 10g per serving from cider’s natural sugar
- 0 g protein, 0 g fat – does not provide key macros for keto
- Alcohol pauses ketosis and gets processed first by liver
- May take up to 48 hours to return to ketosis after drinking
Occasional light intake may be tolerated but it can slow down fat burning. To be keto-friendly, ciders with lower residual sugar are better options.
Check your individual carb tolerance. Monitor if it is stalling ketosis or weight loss progress. Limit intake to 1-2 servings maximum and account for carb content in daily totals.
Comparison with other ciders
Here is how Stella cidre compares to some other popular gluten-free cider brands:
| Brand | Gluten-free status | ABV | Carbs (g) | Certifications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stella Artois Cidre | Gluten-free | 4.5% | 10 g | GFCO, Covance Labs |
| Strongbow | Not gluten-free | 5% | 15 g | None |
| Angry Orchard | Gluten-free | 5% | 15 g | GFCO |
| Savanna Dry | Gluten-free | 6.5% | 2 g | Tested by GIG |
In comparison to other major brands, Stella cidre is lower in alcohol and residual sugar. It carries reputable gluten-free certifications for added assurance.
Customer reviews
Here are some common observations in customer reviews of Stella Artois cider regarding its gluten-free claim and tolerance:
- Most customers confirm it is gluten-free as advertised
- Celiacs report being able to drink it without reactions
- Some notice bloating which may be from yeast or apples
- Individual experiences vary – some sensitive react while others don’t
- Taste is rated very good, especially fruit flavored variants
- Considered easy drinking, crisp, not very sweet
In most reviews, customers appear satisfied with the authenticity of the gluten-free status. But personal tolerance can vary. Overall it is considered a high quality gluten-free cider by reviewers.
The bottom line
To summarize key points in this article:
- Stella Artois cider (Stella cidre) is produced as gluten-free as per the company
- Made from fermented apple juice, without gluten grains
- Free of malt/additives that can contain gluten
- Produced in dedicated cider facilities
- Carries reputable gluten-free certifications – GFCO and Covance Labs
- Considered safe for most celiacs at less than 10ppm gluten
- Suitable for vegetarian and vegan diets
- Not the most keto-friendly choice due to sugar content
- Reviews confirm gluten-free status; individual tolerance may vary
So in summary, Stella Artois cider can be considered gluten-free based on its production process and certifications. However, it is always advisable for gluten-sensitive individuals to verify the product labels and their personal tolerance before consuming.
