Gluten-free diets have become increasingly popular in recent years, with more and more people opting to avoid gluten for medical reasons or simply as a lifestyle choice. For those who love beer but need to follow a gluten-free diet, finding safe options can be tricky. Coors Brewing Company offers several well-known beer brands, but only some of their products are formulated to be gluten-free. This article will explore what Coors beers are gluten-free and provide an overview of how they achieve gluten-free status.
What is Gluten and Why Do Some People Need to Avoid It?
Gluten is a protein found in grains like wheat, barley, and rye. For most people, consuming gluten is not a problem, but for those with certain medical conditions like celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, gluten can cause issues.
In people with celiac disease, gluten triggers an autoimmune response that damages the small intestine. This can cause symptoms like diarrhea, bloating, abdominal pain, and fatigue. The only treatment for celiac disease is adopting a strict lifelong gluten-free diet.
People with non-celiac gluten sensitivity may experience similar gastrointestinal symptoms after consuming gluten, but they do not have the same autoimmune reaction or intestinal damage as those with celiac disease. Going gluten-free also improves their symptoms.
While the number of people with celiac disease is estimated to be around 1% of the population, experts believe non-celiac gluten sensitivity may affect over 10% of people. This growing group of gluten-sensitive consumers has increased demand for more gluten-free products, including beer.
Gluten Content in Beer
One of the main reasons beer often contains gluten is that the main ingredient – barley – contains gluten. Many beers are also made with wheat, rye, or other gluten-containing ingredients.
During the brewing process, the grains are malted, meaning they are soaked, allowed to begin germinating, and then dried. This malting process helps release sugars needed for fermentation into alcohol and carbonation, but it also means the gluten from the grains carries over into the final beer product.
The good news is that some beers are crafted to remove or significantly reduce gluten content through special formulation and filtration processes. Testing is also conducted to verify the finished product has gluten levels below 20 parts per million (ppm). This is the recognized standard for labeling items as “gluten-free” in many countries.
Gluten-Free Labeling Regulations
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has established guidelines for when a food product can be labeled as “gluten-free.” To use this label, foods must contain less than 20 ppm of gluten.
The FDA also says foods with the “gluten-free” claim should not contain any:
- Ingredients derived from gluten-containing grains (such as wheat, rye, barley, or their crossbred hybrids)
- Ingredients derived from these gluten-containing grains that have not been processed to remove gluten
- Ingredients derived from these gluten-containing grains that have been processed to remove gluten, if the use results in the food containing 20 or more ppm gluten
Following these regulations carefully allows brands like Coors to produce beers using alternative gluten-free grains and ensure through testing that any potential gluten contamination stays under 20 ppm. This gives consumers who need to follow gluten-free diets confidence that beers labeled “gluten-free” truly are safe options.
Coors Gluten-Free Beers
Keeping up with consumer demand, Coors has formulated some of its beers to qualify as gluten-free under FDA guidelines. Here are the gluten-free friendly options currently available from Coors Brewing Company:
Coors Peak
One of Coors’ most popular gluten-free offerings, Coors Peak is a golden lager made without barley. Instead, it is brewed using corn, rice, and a blend of gluten-free grains including millet, buckwheat, and sorghum. Coors states that each batch of Peak is tested to confirm gluten levels do not exceed 10 ppm. With a light and refreshing taste, Peak offers the classic lager flavor profile many consumers enjoy.
Coors Pure
Those who prefer a fuller-bodied beer may appreciate Coors Pure, an amber or Vienna-style lager brewed without barley or wheat. It is made using rice, corn, and gluten-free grains, and Coors ensures finished products test below 10 ppm gluten. Coors Pure has a smooth, mildly sweet caramel flavor with low hop bitterness.
Coors Edge
Coors Edge is an American-style lager crafted with corn, rice, and gluten-free millet, buckwheat, and sorghum. It has crisp, light taste that is slightly citrusy and refreshing. Tests also show Coors Edge contains less than 10 ppm gluten.
Coors Seltzer
In addition to brewed gluten-free beers, Coors also offers a gluten-free seltzer water under its Coors brand. This crisp, zero-carb seltzer comes in four fruit flavor varieties: grapefruit, lemon lime, mango, and cherry. Coors states the seltzers are gluten-free and do not contain any major food allergens, providing another safe option for gluten-sensitive consumers.
Beers from Other Coors Brands
While the main Coors line of beers includes several excellent gluten-free choices, some other brands under the Coors Brewing Company umbrella currently do not offer gluten-free options.
For example, Coors Light, Miller Lite, Blue Moon, Keystone, and Leinenkugel’s beers are all brewed with barley and/or wheat. These contain gluten and are not labeled as gluten-free. The same applies to other Coors brands like Zima, Blue Moon LightSky, and Acadia Stout, which are also brewed using traditional gluten-containing ingredients.
Consumers need to be aware that while Coors Peak, Coors Pure, Coors Edge, and Coors Seltzer boast the gluten-free claim, other major Coors beer brands are not formulated to be gluten-free at this time. Always check labels carefully if avoiding gluten from beer due to celiac disease or an intolerance.
Tips for Enjoying Gluten-Free Beers from Coors
Here are some helpful tips for selecting and enjoying the gluten-free beers offered by Coors Brewing Company:
- Double check labels – Look for the words “gluten-free” clearly stated on packaging. Do not assume a beer is gluten-free based on the brand name alone.
- Check for changes – Be aware that formulations can change over time. Make sure any beer labeled gluten-free is still made without gluten-containing grains.
- Look for certification symbols – Coors partners with organizations like the Gluten Intolerance Group who can certify products as meeting requirements for gluten-free status after rigorous testing.
- Ask about preparation – Inquire at bars, stadiums, or restaurants how gluten-free beers are poured and served. Proper cleaning of draft lines between beers can help avoid cross-contamination.
- Start with a small serving – When trying a “new” gluten-free beer, have just one bottle or glass at first to see if you tolerate it well.
- Enjoy the variety – Appreciate that brands like Coors now offer several styles of gluten-free beer so you can find new favorites.
The gluten-free beers from Coors provide a lot of variety and appeal for those adhering to a gluten-free diet. From classic Peak lager to citrusy Edge ale, there are options for every taste. Just remember to double check packaging and preparation to ensure the gluten-free claim holds true.
Is Coors Making Any Other Gluten-Free Alcoholic Beverages?
In addition to brewing some gluten-free beers, Coors has also ventured into crafting other gluten-free alcoholic beverages to meet consumer demand. Two examples include:
Gluten-Free Vodka
Coors subsidiary Spirit Lab Distilling Co. produces a gluten-free vodka made from non-GMO corn. This smooth 80 proof vodka offers a crisp, clean taste. It is distilled five times to filter out gluten-containing compounds and test results confirm gluten levels test below 5 ppm. Those who cannot tolerate gluten can enjoy this corn-based vodka in cocktails or on its own.
Gluten-Free Hard Seltzer
Coors also now makes Vizzy Hard Seltzer, a gluten-free alcoholic seltzer water. Flavored with fruit extracts and containing no added sugars, Vizzy Hard Seltzer provides another option aside from beer for gluten-free drinkers. It is made with a gluten-free fermented base and natural fruit flavors. Lab testing ensures it contains less than 10 ppm gluten.
Should Those with Celiac Disease or Gluten Sensitivity Drink Gluten-Removed Beers?
This is a point of some controversy that consumers should consider carefully based on their individual health needs:
Some members of the celiac disease and gluten intolerance communities argue that beers made from gluten-containing grains like barley, then processed to remove gluten, are still risky for those who are highly sensitive. Even with advanced filtration that strips out most gluten, they believe trace amounts may linger that could cause issues for some. There is also a concern about trusting testing results down to the parts per million level.
However, many people with celiac disease and gluten intolerance are able to drink beers made in this manner without any problems. The gluten stripping processes utilized by brands like Coors are quite advanced and thorough. The finished products test well below the maximum 20 ppm level required for the gluten-free claim.
This suggests that most gluten-removed beers are perfectly safe for the majority of gluten-intolerant individuals. However, there is certainly an element of individual response and tolerance that comes into play. Someone with severe celiac disease may react even to minute traces of residual gluten in ways those with less pronounced sensitivity may not.
In the end, consumers need to make educated, informed choices after carefully considering their personal degree of gluten reactivity. Under a doctor’s supervision, they can try these products and decide if any symptoms occur. This will help determine their level of comfort with gluten-stripped beers, even when testing shows very low gluten content.
The Bottom Line
When shopping for gluten-free beers from the huge selection of Coors Brewing Company brands, look for these key points:
- Only Coors Peak, Coors Pure, Coors Edge, and Coors Gluten-Free Seltzer are formulated to be gluten-free. Other major brands like Coors Light and Blue Moon contain gluten from barley.
- Coors uses alternative grains like corn, rice, and gluten-free grains such as millet and sorghum to craft their gluten-free beers.
- Each batch of Coors’ gluten-free beers and seltzers is tested to ensure it measures below 10 ppm residual gluten, meeting FDA requirements.
- Those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance need to decide if gluten-removed beers work for them personally based on individual tolerance levels.
- Read labels carefully, check preparation procedures when served at bars/restaurants, and enjoy the wide range of gluten-free beer choices offered by Coors.
Following a gluten-free diet certainly does not mean giving up on enjoying beer. Thanks to the efforts of brewers like Coors to cater to gluten-free demand, there are more great tasting options than ever before. Consumers need to stay vigilant about labels and preparation, but the range of gluten-free beers now available provides plenty of choice. Cheers to that!
