Okay, so I’m posting this on New Years Eve, mid-evening. I apologize if you’re reading it tonight, because my big intro is kind of set up for those that will be reading this in the morning.
So, are you still in bed reading this? In a bit of a haze? Maybe a little too much New Year’s Eve last night? Need a little of the “hair of the dog that bit you”?
I can’t help you there, but I can point you in the right direction for a good gluten free beer.
Awhile back, Bradley sent me a link to the “Ultimate Gluten Free Beer List” (link below). Armed with this list, I started my quest: Find 8-10 gluten free beers I could use to conduct a taste test.
First stop: Theis BP in Fowler, just a couple miles from home. I found “Anheuser Busch Redbridge Sorghum Beer”. (Ok, to be perfectly transparent, Redbridge is my go-to beer. I’ve been buying it here for years.)
Next, I headed 9 miles east to the Cork & Bottle in St. Johns. They had two listed beers, “Glutenberg India Pale Ale” & “Glutenberg Red Ale”.
Last stop, about 25 miles from home, was Horrocks in Lansing where I found “Greens Quest gluten free Tripel Ale” & “Greens Endeavour gluten free dubble ale”.
Five beers were going to have to be enough. Now all I had to do was find four willing
subjects. If you’ve ever tried gluten
free beer, you know that this wasn’t going to be easy. They have some really bad ones out there and
I was going to be asking people to go into this blind. I called around looking for guinea pigs
“taste testers”. I needed an impartial
group: beer drinkers, wine devotees, gals that like the hard stuff… anyone with
a pulse that would indulge me in an evening that would most likely be filled
with drinking some really bad gluten free beer; and if we were lucky, one or
two good ones.
I found four victims individuals willing to help me in my search for a really good gluten free beer. A beer that anyone would find appealing. A beer they would be willing to drink without me coaxing them into it with “Really, it’s not that bad.” and “Well, yes, I guess you could say it is an acquired taste.” or “Putting it on ice, wow, that makes a huge difference!” You get the idea. These women were good sports and even better friends!
My Unbiased Panel
Me (before my wheat allergy), I enjoyed domestic beer, red beer and the occasional honey ale.
Janet, who enjoys an ice cold domestic beer as much as me.
Darlene, a fan of flavored beers; think fruity – citrus, cherry, blueberry. She likes to mix it up a little.
Julie, my wine devotee, who also isn’t afraid to throw back the occasional beer.
Sally, who didn’t hesitate when I invited her over for an evening of gluten free beer taste testing. She marched through my front door that night and announced, “Brenda, I don’t even LIKE beer!”
Ah yes, diversity at its’ finest.
The Test
The beer was packed on ice, setting in a cooler on the dining room floor. Everyone was given five plastic cups (In hindsight, I think I should have used glass, not plastic. I always prefer my beer either out of a glass bottle or in a glass.), a pen and paper. I’d thought about blindfolding them also, but then I remembered that one night when a group of us sat drinking beer blindfolded and… I digress.
One by one, we cracked open each beer. Everyone got a ¼ cup of beer. (Trust me, with some of these beers, that was more than enough.) They were encouraged to look at the color of the beer, take in it’s aroma, reflect on its’ taste. After finishing each beer, they were given Glutino Gluten Free Pretzels to clean their pallet before pressing on to the next. We burned through those five beers in no time. These women were machines, real troopers – all in the name of finding me a really good gluten free beer.
The Results
#5 – The Loser: “Glutenberg India Pale Ale”: I really can’t say much more than what one of our panelists wrote on her piece of paper, aptly describing this beer – “Smells and tastes like dirty socks.”
#4 – “Glutenberg Red Ale”: Again, I’ll let one of the ladies speak for me, “It’s better than that nasty India Pale Ale.” High praises indeed.
#3 – “Anheuser Busch Redbridge Sorghum Beer”: No one really had an opinion on this beer, which pretty much sums it up. Not horrible, not great, just okay.
#2 – “Greens Quest gluten free Tripel Ale”: Note from a panelist – “Crisp, bubbly, kind of like it’s carbonated.” Carbonated booze does seem to be in vogue these days.
#1 – The Winner: “Greens Endeavour gluten free dubbel ale”: Notes from the ladies – “This is by far the best!” and “These top three beers could make me a beer drinker!” (Hhhmm, I wonder who wrote that?)
Well, that’s it; our little, unbiased, taste test. I would have liked to had a few more beers to try, but I kind of draw a line at driving more than 30 minutes in search of beer, I have standards. We had a great time and lots of laughs. I appreciated the girls coming over and trying the new beers with me. Thank you ladies!
It’s been requested that I do this with gluten free liquor. That just may be in the future.
The link for the list: https://urbantastebud.com/gluten-free-beer-list/
Link for the pretzels: https://www.glutino.com/
Thanks for stopping.
Happy New Year!
Brenda
Disclaimer:
These recipes and tips are not guaranteed to work or be safe for everyone. Allergies are extremely complicated and vary for each individual. It is still your responsibility to read labels to ensure your safety. I cannot be held liable for any ill effects from using my tips to avoid your allergies. (Sorry guys, I don’t foresee any problems, but Momma’s gotta cover her backside, ya know?) Just read your labels! Do your research!