New Planet Brewery started out as a gluten free brewery and for the last three years they have stood toe to toe swinging AND winning!!!  I did my first review of New Planet in March 2011 and the three beers I reviewed then; Tread Lightly Ale, 3R Raspberry Ale and Off Grid Pale Ale have stood the test of time.  This year, New Planet has a new look, new packaging and two new beers … so far.  Come back for my reviews of New Planets two new offerings.  I can’t wait to share!

Harvester Brewing brings the DUBBEL Gluten Free Beer!!!

I just got this today from John Dugan of Harvester Brewing.  I cannot wait to get my hands on this new product seeing as Dubbels are probably my personal favorite style of beer!!

Harvester Brewing Releases St. Denny Dubbel Style Ale April 12th

Harvester Brewing is pleased to announce the latest release out of their dedicated gluten-free brewery in the Experiment Ale series, a Dubbel style ale made with Belgian candi syrup.

Similar to Harvester’s other beers, the Dubbel is made using roasted chestnuts but is differentiated by the addition of dark Belgian candi syrup. It’s lightly hopped with Styrian Goldings, and fermented with a blend of two gluten-free Belgian yeast strains.

When Harvester founder James Neumeister was starting out as a homebrewer, he contacted homebrewing legend Denny Conn and asked him where he could learn to brew using the batch-sparge method that Denny advocates when homebrewing. Denny invited James over that weekend and after a day of brewing under Denny’s tutelage, his word quickly became the rule when James was homebrewing, prompting his other brewing partners to start referring to Mr. Conn as ‘Saint’ Denny. This background, combined with the common practice of Belgian style beers having ‘Saint’ names, led to the name St. Denny for this beer.

St. Denny Dubbel style ale will be released at Harvester Brewing this Friday, April 12th at an event from 3:30 to 7pm.  A very limited amount of the St. Denny Dubbel will be available on draft, only at the brewery.  Bottles will roll out to store shelves next week and are available to order through Harvester’s online store now for shipment starting April 15th.

About Harvester Brewing

Harvester Brewing is a dedicated gluten-free craft brewery founded in 2011. Harvester Brewing’s facility is entirely gluten-free; no gluten is allowed on the premises. Their beers are distributed in OR, VT, WA, Northern ID, and online at http://store.harvesterbrewing.com/

715 SE Lincoln St. Portland, OR 97214 – www.harvesterbrewing.com – www.facebook.com/harvesterbrewing

This is a review of Harvester Brewing’s Experiment IPA gluten free beer, one of the first 100% gluten free craft breweries in the US.

I am making my third review in this series with the 3rd beer in the Harvester Brewing line up; the IPA.  The IPA is brewed with roasted chestnuts, gluten free oats, sorghum, cane sugar and hops as are all three of the beers we have reviewed.

This is a sweet smelling beer with citrus, chestnuts and honey that pours very yellow with a medium white head that disipates quickly with very light lacing.  In true India Pale Ale style, this beer has a bitter hoppy flavor with a light mouth feel.  What you get that you may not expect is the slight citrus and smooth after taste.  If you are an IPA fan, this is a bit of a twist on the traditional IPA flavor and one worth giving a try.

If you find yourself in Oregon or Washington then there are a number of places you can buy Harvester Brewings beers. Check them out at www.harvesterbrewing.com.

This is a review of Harvester Brewing’s Experiment Red Ale gluten free beer, one of the first 100% gluten free craft breweries in the US.

Sticking with my own preference for dark beers, I am making my second review in this series with the 2nd beer in the Harvester Brewing line up; the Experiment Red Ale.  The Experiment Red Ale is brewed with roasted chestnuts, gluten free oats, sorghum, cane sugar and hops as are all three of the beers we will review.

The beer pours with a modest, medium brown head that dissipates fairly quickly and a pleasant red/brown color. The nose is a nice chocolate and carmel aroma with slight hops.  This is another nice beer that I will drink again.  The flavor is not as complex as the Dark Ale; I will describe it as chocolate and hops.  This beer has a bit more bitter hops  and slight after taste of many gluten free beers.  Harvester Brewing has definitely created a nice, drinkable beer.  This beer will fit well in any gluten free recipe that requires or could benefit from beer though given the choice, I would use the Dark Ale.

I have been following Harveter Brewing since they announced their intentions to open a dedicated gluten free brewery.  It has taken a lot of work, time and money on their part.  Well let me say it was worth the wait and anticipation and I am confident they will only get better.  I look forward to trying their other creations given what I have experienced with the first two I have tried.

If you find yourself in Oregon or Washington then there are a number of places you can buy Harvester Brewings beers. Check them out at www.harvesterbrewing.com.

This is a review of Harvester Brewing’s Dark Ale gluten free beer, one of the first 100% gluten free craft breweries in the US.

Given my own preference for dark beers, I am starting this review series with the 3rd beer in the Harvester Brewing line up; the Dark Ale.  The Dark Ale is brewed with roasted chestnuts, gluten free oats, sorghum, cane sugar and hops.

The beer pours with a slight, medium brown head that dissipates fairly quickly. The aroma is a nice toasted nut and carmel with slight hops.  This is a very nice beer that I will definitely drink again.  The flavor is complex; I will describe it as coffee and chocolate with slight hops.  This beer does not have the strong bitter after taste of many gluten free beers.  Harvester Brewing has definitely created a nice, drinkable beer.  This beer will also fit well in any gluten free recipe that requires or could benefit from beer, especially with chocolate.

I have been following Harveter Brewing since they announced their intentions to open a dedicated gluten free brewery.  It has taken a lot of work, time and money on their part.  Well let me say it was worth the wait and anticipation.  I look forward to trying their other creations.

If you find yourself in Oregon or Washington then there are a number of places you can buy Harvester Brewings beers. Check them out at www.harvesterbrewing.com.

This is a review of Steadfast Beer Companies Sorghum Pale Ale, one of the newest craft beers to the gluten free beer market.

Pours with a thick golden tan head which dissipates to a small head which lingers a little while. The aroma is a bit spicy with a slight hoppy smell. This gluten free beer does something that many do not, it actually tastes like it smells, a bit spicy with a hoppy finish. This is a very drinkable beer; it would go excellent with a little Texas bar-b-que and potato salad. Since we are in the upper 90′s and pushing 100 here in central Texas, this beer will fit well for a hot afternoon needing a little refreshment. If you like a beer with a hint of spice and a hoppy finish then this gluten free beer will be excellent for you! Be looking for this new gluten free beer, Sorghum Pale Ale by Steadfast Beer Co. to come to a store near you, you will be glad you found it. If you just can’t wait, then check out their online store and order today – http://bit.ly/GOpU3I. We are always excited to see the new entrants to the gluten free market, Great Job Steadfast!

TTB Labeling Guidelines

In a recent ruling by the TTB (Department of the Treasury: Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau), a definition has been outlined for what can be labeled as gluten free when it comes to alcohol.  This ruling of course covers what can be labeled as a gluten free beer.  Per the TTB guidelines, only alcohol made with non-gluten containing ingredients can be labeled gluten free.  This ruling will have an affect on several gluten free beer brewers such as Estrella Damm Daura and the new Widmer Brothers Omission beer.  Although the Omission beers are great beers and beer that anyone, gluten free or not, can and would drink; they can no longer be labeled as gluten free.  At the Gluten Free Beer Association, we are much more interested in finding a 0 ppm test then what the product is made from.  If you are truly Celiac, 1 ppm is 1 too many in our opinion and experience.  Here’s to a good beer that doesn’t make us sick!
Cheers!

Tweason’ale by Dogfish Head is the first gluten free beer from Dogfish and brought about by Dogfish fans that requested gluten free beer more than anything else.

Dogfish has made a name for themselves in the craft beer world by making off center beers. Instead of trying to go head to head with other breweries, Dogfish makes uniqueness their cornerstone. In the gluten free beer beer world, that is exactly what I have been saying; why try to be like everyone else, let’s celebrate gluten free and be different yet enjoyable.

Today is all about Dogfish Head Teason’ale gluten free beer. The beer has a sweet fruity/strawberry nose which of course makes sense seeing that the beer is made with organic strawberries. The beer pours with a tall, white head that fills the glass at first and dissipates to a small persistent head leaving a slight lacing on the glass. The beer is a reddish gold color with good carbonation. I have read others that say this beer is more like a cider, I disagree, this beer is more like a lambic and a good lambic at that. It is a light bodied, fuity yet not too sweet gluten free beer with an enjoyable flavor and very nice mouth feel. Unlike some gluten free beers, this beer does not have the bitter finish, the finish is smooth with hints of sour strawberry which keeps the beer from being too sweet and fruity. If you like an off center beer or you are a lambic fan, then this beer would be a great one for you. Unfortunately for me, this beer is not yet available in Texas or this would be a beer that I would keep on hand.

This is a very good gluten beer and will do well to pair with any occasion. The flavor is not really strong so this beer could be over powered by strong flavored foods but would be excellent with lighter fare. Thank you Dogfish Head for producing a great and enjoyable beer. Now just get it approved for sale in Texas!

To read more about Dogfish Head, 17 yr old brewery. Check out their Facebook page and the Dogfish Head web site, Tweason’ale page.

Daura is one of, it not the, first gluten free beer to deglutenize.

To deglutenize beer, it is first produced as a normal beer and then the gluten is stripped through a proprietary process. Daura has won a Gold Medal at the World Beer Championships, a Gold Medal at the International Beer Challenge and the World’s Best Gluten-free Lager Award at the World Beer Awards in 2011. Estrella has been producing beer for over 130 years, founded in Barcelona Spain in 1876 and currently on their 11 generation of Master Brewers.

Today is all about Estrella Damm Daura gluten free Lager beer. The beer has a light beer nose. The beer pours with a tall, white head that fills the glass at first and dissipates completely leaving a slight lacing on the glass. The beer is a light golden color with slight carbonation. Being a dark beer drinker this has a very mild, light beer flavor. It is a very light bodied gluten free beer with a definite light beer flavor. If you are a light beer drinker then this could very well be the beer for you. For many folks all over the world it is an excellent, award winning beer.

This is a good gluten free lager light beer and do well to pair with any summer time bar-b-que. This is a gluten free beer that I would definitely recommend to folks that prefer a light beer when they have a cold one.

To read more about S.A. Damm, 130+ yr old brewery. Check out their Facebook page and the Estrella Damm web site.

For more information about Estrella Damm, this is a flyer that was produced for the US debut.

**One thing to keep in mind is this is, according to the brewer this is a less than 3 ppm beer; for most folks this will be just fine. For those of you that are more sensitive, like my wife, you will want to proceed with caution.**

As I have mentioned before, low gluten beer is not gluten free beer. I am of the opinion that any standard other than 0 gluten is only to allow corporations to produce an almost gluten free product and call it gluten free. There is a group out of Australia that has been studying this fact, especially when it comes to gluten free beer, CSIRO Food Futures National Research Flagship. They recently published a copyrighted report that I wanted to read, unfortunately they are not at liberty to share the report at this time because of the copyright laws. I did get a response from the organizations Communications Director that told me:

“Dr Matthew Morell, Theme Leader for the Future Grains, Grain-Based Food and Feed Theme within CSIRO’s Food Futures Flagship, is the best person to answer your question about the study.

This new method is good news for coeliacs and people with gluten intolerance as it provides a new, higher sensitivity method to confirm that beers claiming to be hordein-free do not contain hordein. Our analysis found that non-barley based beers labelled as gluten free did not contain hordeins.”

If this research can be repeated at other facilities, this testing could revolutionize the gluten free beer industry and I and my wife would welcome the change. Certainly not that we want to see fewer gluten free brewers, but we want to have fewer questions about what is really gluten free and what is not. Most of the brewers in the US will easily meet the standard that even Dr. Morell and his team have developed.