In Canada, safe gluten-free alcoholic drinks include wine, pure cider, and distilled spirits (vodka, gin, rum, tequila, whiskey) if labelled or distilled from safe ingredients, while beers must specifically say “gluten-free” to be safe, as most contain gluten from barley or wheat, and check labels for gluten in flavored drinks or coolers. Canada has strong labelling laws, requiring gluten sources (wheat, barley, rye) to be declared if over 10 ppm, making label reading crucial for safe choices.
Naturally Gluten-Free (Usually Safe)
- Wine, Port, Sherry: Made from grapes and fruit.
- Pure Cider: Fermented from apples (always check ciders/coolers for added gluten).
- Distilled Spirits (Plain): Vodka, gin, rum, tequila, whiskey, and brandy are generally safe as distillation removes gluten, but check labels for additives or flavourings. Brands like Tito’s Vodka, Patron Tequila, and Appleton Rum are often cited as safe.
Drinks to Check Carefully (Label is Key)
- Beer & Ale: Avoid unless explicitly labelled “Gluten-Free” (e.g., Partake, Glutenberg) or made from gluten-free grains like rice or buckwheat.
- Flavoured Spirits & Coolers: Added flavourings or ingredients can introduce gluten; read labels.
- Hard Seltzers: Look for brands fermented from cane sugar or fruit, not malted barley.
Canadian Labelling Rules
- Alcohol packaging must declare gluten sources (wheat, barley, rye) if present above 10 parts per million (ppm).
- Always look for “gluten-free” certification or check ingredient lists for wheat, barley, or rye.
Distilled Alcohol:
Distilled alcohol is gluten-free even if made with a gluten-containing grain. This is because the gluten protein cannot vaporize and does not pass through the distillation process. Distillation occurs in a large vat, and during this process, the solid mass and alcohol separate. The alcohol goes on to evaporate and creates distilled liquor while the solid mass remains behind in the vat. The solid mass contains the gluten protein, which does not evaporate; thus, the final distilled products have no gluten.
Examples of distilled alcohols include bourbon whiskey, brandy, gin, Irish whiskey, rum, rye whiskey, scotch whiskey, tequila and vodka.
Additional Note on Vodka:
Vodka can be made from other agricultural products other than potato and cereal grains (example: fruit, dairy, and honey). If vodka is made from products other than just potatoes or cereal grain, it must be identified on the label using the statement such as “Produced from” in proximity to the common name of “vodka” on the label.
Wine:
Wine is naturally gluten-free and safe for those with celiac disease. Some expensive red wines may have been aged in oak barrels that have used a small amount of wheat paste to seal the head of the barrel. However, scientists have tested these types of wines using the highly sensitive R5 ELISA method, and no detectable gluten was found.
Gluten Free Beer:
Beer is no longer exempt from declaring food allergens, gluten sources and added sulphites.
Beers are now required to declare any food allergens, gluten sources and added sulphites on the label. The manufacturer can do this either:
1. In the ingredient list, when an ingredient list is provided.
2. If there is no ingredient list, then it must be declared in a “Contains” statement on the label
Gluten-free beer that is safe for those with celiac disease must be made from gluten-free grains. This could include grains such as millet, sorghum, buckwheat, amaranth, rice or quinoa. When made from a gluten-free grain, these beers are permitted to state ‘gluten-free’ on the label.
Gluten-free beer cannot be made from gluten-containing grains, including wheat, rye, barley or triticale.
Some examples of celiac-safe varieties include: Glutenberg, Boxer, La Messagère, Bard’s, New Grist, Green’s, Ghostfish.
Gluten-Reduced Beers:
Gluten-reduced beers use an enzyme to reduce gluten levels in beers derived from gluten-containing grains. Unfortunately, this enzyme affects the ability of the highly sensitive R5 Elisa test to accurately detect gluten in the finished products. Therefore, individuals with celiac disease should avoid this type of beer.
Gluten- reduced beers are permitted to be listed as “crafted to remove gluten,” “deglutinized,” “gluten reduced,” or any equivalent statements that emphasize the removal of gluten from the product. However, these beers are not allowed to carry a ‘gluten-free’ claim.
It’s important to recognize that restaurants, pubs, bars, or even waitstaff may incorrectly offer gluten-reduced beers as ‘gluten-free’ beers on menus. So always confirm before ordering/tasting a ‘gluten-free’ beer.
Examples of gluten-reduced beers include Daura Damm, Mongozo, Omission, and Celia Lager. However, there are many other products on the market.