Living with Coeliac
It Doesn't Have to Mean Living Limited
One of the most difficult experiences of becoming gluten-free was having to let go of beer. I mean, I love beer. Don't get me wrong, I'll enjoy a rum and coke well enough, but it's just not the same. Thus I enthusiastically began my search for a gluten-free, safe, delicious beer to satisfy that preference.
Omission- "Crafted to Remove Gluten"
At first, Omission was my go-to. It was served at the local bar I frequented after my closing shifts at work, and it was marketed as a gluten-free alternative. Where could it go wrong? Well, steemit friends, I'll tell you where it went wrong.
Omission was found to contain fragments of the gluten protein in large amounts, and was therefore forced to retract their gluten-free label in favor of a new advertisement: "crafted to remove gluten". I, like countless other sufferers of coeliac disease, was suffering reactions to the Omission beers- and I wanted to know why. After further research, I discovered that this beer was in fact brewed with wheat, and was thereafter subjected to a process that was said to "remove" the offending protein from the beer. Further research showed that the process said to "remove" the gluten protein actually did nothing to omit the presence of gluten. In fact, this special process only served to break the protein down into smaller fragments, but their specialized testing confirmed that the gluten protein was no longer dangerous- except that this testing process was one which they basically created for themselves. It was not a widespread method of testing and it is not accepted by any health organizations as an accurate marker for the presence of gluten.
Avoid.
Estrella Damm Daura- "Crafted to Remove Gluten"
We know that that means. Not safe. Therefore, not on my personally approved list of safe beers. I've never even ventured to taste it.
Avoid.
Redbridge- "Gluten-Free"
Ah, okay, here's a promising label. This one actually retains a "gluten-free" description, and is made with sorghum as an alternative to wheat. There are no gluten-containing ingredients present in Redbridge, so for awhile, this became my new go-to.
Sadly, however, this beer did nothing to provide a pleasant buzz of any kind, and was therefore rendered practically useless. What's more, my body held some sort of strong dislike to the beer, and although I didn't suffer symptoms of gluten-poisoning, I still suffered gastrointestinal distress for several days after consuming Redbridge. Why bother? My conclusion?
Avoid.
Every body is different. Such an experience may not be shared by a lot of you, however, if my body reacted poorly to it in this way, it means that it is entirely possible that your body may side with mine.
And so we get closer...
My friends, I refused to give up. I simply couldn't do it. As I said earlier, I love beer. I continued my search.
New Grist- "Gluten-Free"
Do you see that? Do you see that? That is the certified gluten-free label! Let me tell you how excited I was to find this beer today at Total Wine. The description on the price tag even boasted that this beer was created with all gluten-free ingredients, including the yeast! I practically squealed with excitement.
I am one and a half beers in, and feeling pleasantly buzzed.
Cheers, my friends!
Happy gluten-free, full-living.
Your sweet Elle