This edition of New Brew News will be focusing on some of our Gluten-Free selections. Hopefully this will shed some light on what it is you're drinking, and also maybe help you out when you want to try something different.
1. Redbridge - Anheuser-Busch Sorghum Beer 4%abv
is brewed in the style of a classic American Lager. The smell is malty, the pour is a golden-brown, caramel color, and the body is crisp. Upon tasting you get the light malty-ness of the lager with a quick hop(ish) bitterness in the way, way back. There is nothing really crazy about this one; it's just...well, beer. It's not bad though. What else would you expect from Anheuser-Busch? They certainly have consistency down to a science, and that is an admirable trait. There is one thing about this beer (not the beer itself, but the labeling) that strikes me as odd. Nowhere on the package does it bear the "Certified GF" symbol. This doesn't mean that it is not a gluten-free beer, it just doesn't have the symbol, which, I would think, AB would be all about showing off. Also, corn syrup is listed as an ingredient for this beer, for those that are paying attention to that part of it. On a positive note, Redbridge is partnering with the
National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA)
. Their website doesn't give any specific information about this, but they're doing it. So that's cool.
2.Dark Ale - Harvester Brewing
Porter style - 25 IBU's, 5.6%
Unlike the previous three beers,
is a legitimate micro-brewery. Based in Portland, Harvester is a dedicated GF brewery and all of their equipment was purchased brand new and never used for anything but brewing gluten-free beer. Oh yeah, and as much of their ingredients as possible are locally sourced. The Dark Ale is in the style of an American Porter pouring dark brown and almost deep red color. Very roasty, earthy, and nutty to the nose. It's brewed with chestnuts instead of barley so there is a very specific nutty taste combined with a little chocolate and coffee. The flavor is carried all the way to the end with a little hoppiness and just lingers there on the back of the tongue until the next sip. Harvester's Dark Ale is definitely a different kind of beer with a very unique taste, but it's one that I think you can get used to. I chose the Dark Ale for this just to kind of round out the selection for these reviews, but the Harvester IPA's are also very good, and it seems I can barely keep the seasonals stocked.
3.New Grist - Lakefront Brewery, Inc.
Pilsner Style - 17 IBU's, 5.1%abv
was definitely my favorite out of the beers chosen. Pours a straw yellow and smells of sweet malts and a whole lot of fruit. like a lot a lot. New Grist tastes a lot like it smells; malty and fruity. Green apples galore. Of course, you get the hops after everything to finish it off. A very admirable pilsner for they are working with. Fun fact: New Grist is one of the first gluten-free beers to be federally approved for brewing by the U.S. Government, officially creating the gluten-free category. So yeah. New Grist. Light, crisp, apples, gluten-free. Good stuff.