Gluten-free beer is not just for coeliacs anymore. Whether you have a diagnosed intolerance, avoid gluten for health reasons, or just want to try something new, there is now a wide variety of gluten-free beer on UK shelves. But there is still one big question that turns up again and again:
Does it actually taste any good?
We will cover how gluten-free beer is made, whether it is safe for coeliacs, how it compares in taste, and which UK brands are worth trying. From crisp lagers to hoppy IPAs, there is more variety than most people expect.
What Is Gluten-Free Beer?
Gluten-free beer is beer that contains less than 20 parts per million of gluten. That is the legal threshold for calling a product gluten-free in the UK and EU. It is a strict enough limit for most people with coeliac disease to drink safely, though not everyone tolerates all types the same.
There are two kinds of gluten-free beer on the market:
1. Naturally gluten-free beer
This beer is made without any gluten-containing grains. Instead of barley or wheat, it might use rice, sorghum, millet, buckwheat, or corn. Because the gluten is never there to begin with, there is no need for filtering or enzyme treatment.
2. Gluten-removed or gluten-reduced beer
This starts out as regular beer, usually made with barley. An enzyme is added during the brewing process to break down gluten to a very low level. If it tests under 20 ppm, it can legally be sold as gluten-free in the UK.
But there is a catch. Some coeliacs cannot tolerate gluten-removed beer, especially those made with barley. It is important to know which type you are drinking and what your body can handle.
Is Gluten-Free Beer Safe for Coeliacs?
If a beer is certified gluten-free and shows the Coeliac UK Crossed Grain logo, then yes, it should be safe for most coeliacs. These beers have been independently tested and meet strict standards.
Gluten-removed beers are more controversial. Even if they fall below 20 ppm, some people with coeliac disease still react. This is because traces of gluten proteins may remain, or because the testing methods cannot detect all types of gluten fragments.
To stay on the safe side:
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Look for the Crossed Grain symbol or a clear gluten-free label
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Check the brewery website for their testing process
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When in doubt, stick to naturally gluten-free beers
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Introduce new beers slowly and watch for any reaction
Coeliac UK advises coeliacs to be cautious with gluten-removed beer and stick to certified options unless they have tested it for themselves without issues.
Does Gluten-Free Beer Taste the Same?
This used to be the hardest question to answer. Early gluten-free beers had a bad reputation for tasting thin, flat, or too sweet. That has changed.
Brewers have improved their recipes and techniques. Many gluten-free beers now taste almost identical to their traditional counterparts. Some craft breweries have even made gluten-free beer their speciality, giving us bold IPAs, smoky porters, and even rich dark ales.
Still, gluten does affect mouthfeel and head retention. Gluten proteins help create foam and body. Some gluten-free beers might have a lighter texture or a shorter head.
But do they taste good? Absolutely. It depends on the brand and style, but the best ones are nearly indistinguishable from regular beer. If you are new to gluten-free beer, you might not notice any difference at all.
Best Gluten-Free Beer Brands in the UK
Here is a breakdown of the top gluten-free beer brands available in the UK, what they offer, how they taste, and where you can buy them.
CELIA Lager
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Type: Naturally gluten-free
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Country: Czech Republic
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Strength: 4.5 percent
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Where to buy: Waitrose, online beer shops
CELIA Lager is brewed with Saaz hops and Moravian malt, but is naturally gluten-free thanks to a special brewing process. It is crisp, light, and clean, with a mild bitterness and a smooth finish.
Organic, vegan, and easy to drink, CELIA is ideal for lager lovers. The pilsner style makes it a good entry point for anyone new to gluten-free beer.
Green’s Gluten-Free Beers
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Type: Naturally gluten-free
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Country: UK and Belgium
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Strength: 4.0 to 7.0 percent depending on style
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Where to buy: Sainsbury’s, Amazon, specialty stores
Green’s was one of the first gluten-free beer brands in the UK. They offer a wide variety including:
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Discovery Blonde Ale
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Pioneer Lager
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India Pale Ale
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Dubbel Dark Ale
Made from sorghum, millet, and buckwheat, these beers are brewed without barley or wheat. They have strong flavor and character, especially the darker ales. If you want real depth without gluten, Green’s is a reliable choice.
Daura Damm
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Type: Gluten-removed
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Country: Spain
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Strength: 5.4 percent
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Where to buy: Tesco, Morrisons, online retailers
Daura is brewed with barley but uses an enzyme to reduce gluten content to safe levels. It has won multiple awards, including “World’s Best Gluten-Free Lager”.
Taste-wise, it is very close to traditional lager. Light, crisp, and slightly malty, it pairs well with food and is easy to drink. Some coeliacs avoid it because it is not naturally gluten-free, but others enjoy it with no issues.
BrewDog Vagabond Pale Ale
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Type: Gluten-removed
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Country: UK
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Strength: 4.5 percent
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Where to buy: BrewDog bars, Sainsbury’s, Tesco
BrewDog is a popular craft brewery that made a point of creating a gluten-free pale ale that still feels like proper craft beer. Vagabond is hoppy and bold, with citrus notes and a malty backbone.
It is gluten-removed, so not ideal for highly sensitive coeliacs, but for the casual gluten-free drinker, it is a standout choice. It also helps that it is widely available and well-priced.
Bellfield Brewery
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Type: 100 percent gluten-free
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Country: Scotland (Edinburgh)
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Strength: 4.5 to 5.6 percent
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Where to buy: Waitrose, online at Bellfield’s site, specialist shops
Bellfield is the first dedicated gluten-free brewery in the UK. Every beer they make is brewed to be naturally gluten-free and vegan.
Popular styles include:
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Lawless Village IPA
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Bohemian Pilsner
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Session Ale
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Craft Lager
Bellfield focuses on quality, flavour, and variety. Their beers regularly win awards and are suitable for coeliacs. A must-try for anyone serious about beer.
Hepworth & Co
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Type: Gluten-free and organic options
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Country: West Sussex, UK
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Strength: 3.5 to 5.0 percent
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Where to buy: Sainsbury’s, farm shops, online
Hepworth makes both gluten-free and organic ales. Their beers include:
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Classic Old Ale
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Blonde Organic Lager
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Sussex Pale Ale
These beers are rich, smooth, and very traditional in taste. If you like English-style ales, Hepworth is a strong choice.
Nene Valley Brewery
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Type: Gluten-removed craft beers
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Country: Cambridgeshire, UK
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Strength: 4.0 to 7.2 percent
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Where to buy: Online, specialist beer stores
Nene Valley is a craft brewery that removes gluten from its beers using enzymes. Their range includes:
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Release the Chimps IPA
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Australian Pale
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Egyptian Cream Stout
Full-flavoured, bold, and inventive, these beers push the limits of what gluten-free beer can taste like. They are especially popular among beer geeks who happen to be coeliac.
Where to Buy Gluten-Free Beer in the UK
Supermarkets:
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Tesco and Sainsbury’s have solid gluten-free beer ranges
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Waitrose stocks CELIA, Bellfield, and other premium brands
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Morrisons and ASDA carry Daura and BrewDog Vagabond
Online retailers:
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Beer Hawk
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The Alcohol-Free Shop
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Bellfield Brewery (direct)
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Green’s (via Amazon)
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Honest Brew
Pubs and bars:
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Many BrewDog pubs serve Vagabond
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Wetherspoons often carries gluten-free bottled beers
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Some independent craft bars stock Bellfield or Daura
Always call ahead or check the bar menu if you are looking for gluten-free beer when going out.
Tips for Choosing a Gluten-Free Beer
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Know your tolerance. If you are coeliac, stick to certified gluten-free beers, not just gluten-removed.
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Start with lighter styles. Lagers and pilsners tend to show fewer differences from regular beer.
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Try a few brands. Taste varies widely, so find what suits your preferences.
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Look for certified symbols. The Coeliac UK logo is the most trusted in Britain.
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Be cautious with imports. Different countries have different labeling laws.
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Ask other gluten-free drinkers. Forums, Facebook groups, and Reddit threads are full of real reviews.
Conclusion
Gluten-free beer used to be a dull, watery substitute. That is no longer the case. Today, there are dozens of UK brands making real beer with real flavour that just happens to be gluten-free.
From easy lagers like CELIA to complex ales from Bellfield and Green’s, there is something for every taste and budget. The key is to check labels, start with trusted names, and go at your own pace if you are coeliac.
The best part? No compromise. You can enjoy a pint without the pain.
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