A Guide to Allergens in Alcohol
by Willie Victor
Many potential allergens, especially gluten, can be found in alcohol. Which liquor you choose depends on the severity of your allergies. Vodka and gin are probably the best to start with if you have a lot of allergies or sensitivities. Those allergic to yeast should especially proceed carefully, as all spirit production starts with fermentation. Distilling tends to remove almost all yeast, but traces can make it into the final product. The more thoroughly the drink is distilled or filtered the safer the drink will be for you.
Beer – Most gluten-free beers are made with sorghum and teff, not barley and wheat. Other possible allergens include hops, yeast, molasses, millet, honey, ginger and apple.
Brandy – Brandy is a distilled wine. Sometimes it is made from apples or other fermented fruits which are gluten-free. Brandy made from cherries, apricots or plums can have a grain spirit as a base. Read the label carefully.
Gin - Gin is made from juniper berries and grains, and an array of spices like licorice, cinnamon, orris root, coriander, nutmeg, and anise. English gin is 75% corn, 15% barley, and 10% other grains. Some American gins are made from corn and are wheat free.
Rum – Rum is made from sugar and/or molasses and is grain-free.
Sake – True traditional sake contains no gluten, as it is made from rice. In making sake an enzyme, koji, is added, however, and the source of the koji must always be checked because it can be derived from barley. Some companies try to make cheaper sake and add rice syrup and other flavorings that may contain gluten.
Tequila – Tequila is made from the blue agave plant which takes seven to nine years to mature. Some cheaper tequilas are not manufactured in this traditional way and can contain gluten.
Vodka – Vodka can be made from potatoes or grains. Potential allergens in vodka are molasses, soybeans, grapes, and sugar beets. In some vodka corn, rye, or wheat may be used.
Whisky/Bourbon – Whiskey/bourbon is made from corn but grains can be added to make unique blends. Scotch whiskey is made from grain cereals, usually barley, and should be avoided by those with gluten sensitivities. Makers Mark is recommended by Celiac.com as a gluten-free bourbon.
Wine – Wine is generally gluten-free, but be sure any particular wine has been stored in a gluten-free tank. Barrels can be sealed with a paste which contains flour. This mostly occurs in Europe but some of these barrels are shipped to the United States. Wine coolers contain barley and malt and are not gluten-free.
