Gluten-free beer, made with sorghum instead of wheat or barley, is a safe alternative for people with celiac disease or gluten intolerance. Some beers made with wheat or barley may contain small amounts of gluten, but gluten-free beer is a guaranteed alternative. Homebrewing kits are available for those who cannot find gluten-free beer in their area.
Most beers are brewed using some sort of wheat and/or barley, meaning some people with conditions like celiac disease cannot drink beer. Gluten, a type of protein found in wheat and other types of grains, causes a reaction in some people that can lead to serious health problems. Gluten-intolerant people who want to drink beer can therefore turn to gluten-free beer that is brewed using sorghum instead of wheat or barley. Gluten-free beer doesn’t taste the same as other types of beer and can be difficult to prepare. However, it is an acceptable alternative to other types of beer that can cause problems for some drinkers.
Some beers made with wheat or barley contain ONLY a small amount of gluten, and some brewers claim that people with gluten intolerance can safely drink such beers. However, that is hardly a guarantee, so most people with gluten intolerance turn to gluten-free beer which will guarantee that there is no gluten in the beer. The compromise is often of taste. While most gluten-free beer doesn’t taste bad, it doesn’t taste like most other beers. Many gluten-free drinkers adapt quickly to the taste, although drinkers without gluten intolerance often find the taste inferior to that of wheat and barley beers.
Two people likely to drink gluten-free beer are people with celiac disease and people with a skin condition called dermatitis herpetiformis. Celiac disease is a condition that affects the lower intestine. When the glycoproteins found in gluten enter the lower intestine, intense pain in the stomach can develop. The intestines can swell, causing even more discomfort, and the condition can lead to more serious problems such as bowel cancer if left untreated. Dermatitis herpetiformis is essentially a skin rash that develops when gluten is ingested. The rash can spread over large parts of the body and will be extremely itchy. While not as serious a problem as celiac disease, dermatitis herpetiformis can still lead to more serious, life-threatening conditions.
The availability of gluten-free beer in many countries is still quite low, so many gluten-free drinkers are turning to homebrewing. The methods used are quite similar to the methods used to brew beer with wheat or barley. Home brewing kits might be a good way to get started on gluten-free beer for beginners. Keep in mind that the finished product may not be as strong as other beers. Brewers often experiment with different hops and ingredients for a gluten-free beer that best suits their taste buds.
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