Best Gluten-Free Beer Brands: 12 We Actually Drink
Not all gluten-free beer tastes like cardboard water. These 12 brands make legitimately good craft beer β tested by celiacs who love beer.
By Check Gluten Team Β· March 19, 2026
GF Beer Has Come a Long Way
Five years ago, gluten-free beer was awful. Today? There are dedicated GF breweries making genuinely excellent craft beer that rivals any wheat-based brew.
But there's a critical distinction: dedicated gluten-free vs. gluten-removed. We'll explain both.
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β οΈ Dedicated GF vs. Gluten-Removed
Dedicated Gluten-Free
Brewed with naturally GF grains (sorghum, millet, rice, buckwheat). Never had gluten in it. This is the only type celiacs should trust.
Gluten-Removed
Brewed with barley (contains gluten), then treated with enzymes to break down gluten proteins. Tests may show <20 ppm, but fragments can still trigger reactions. The Celiac Disease Foundation does NOT recommend these for celiacs.
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π Best Dedicated Gluten-Free Beers
1. Glutenberg (Our #1 Pick)
Montreal-based, 100% dedicated GF brewery. Every style they make is excellent.
2. Ground Breaker Brewing
Portland-based, 100% dedicated GF. They use lentils and chestnuts as base grains β totally unique flavors.
3. Ghostfish Brewing
Seattle's dedicated GF brewery. Multiple award winners at the Great American Beer Festival.
4. Holidaily Brewing
Colorado-based, 100% GF. Founded by a celiac home brewer who couldn't find good GF beer.
5. Go Brewing (Non-Alcoholic GF)
For those who want GF *and* NA β Go Brewing's Freedom Amber is our top pick.
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Get the Bundle for $12πΊ Best Gluten-Free Hard Ciders (Great Alternative)
If you want to skip beer entirely, these GF ciders are excellent:
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β οΈ Beers to AVOID (Gluten-Removed)
These are marketed as "GF" but are gluten-removed β NOT safe for celiacs:
Always check: "Crafted to remove gluten" = NOT gluten-free. Look for "Made with gluten-free ingredients."
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π How to Check Any Beer
Not sure about a beer? Scan the label with Check Gluten β our AI reads ingredients and tells you instantly if it's safe.
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π» GF Beer Accessories
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