Which gluten-free beers are brewed in Spain?
Until a few years ago, people with diabetes could not drink beer. Our cereal‑based drink contains gluten among other nutrients. In the past, those intolerant to gluten had to turn down beer in typical social situations like going out for a pint. It seemed that manufacturers didn’t care about the segment of diabetic consumers, but everything changed in 2006. That year, Estrella Damm launched its product “Daura”, Spain’s first gluten‑free beer. This marked a turning point in how the national beer sector engaged with the coeliac community.
We must keep in mind that many people who cannot consume gluten used to enjoy drinking beer before they learned they had celiac disease. Thanks to innovation in the brewing sector, they can now once again enjoy that small pleasure in life.
After Estrella Damm’s gluten-free beer came Ámbar’s in 2008. Why is Ámbar relevant in this equation? The Zaragoza brewery went one step further: it created the world’s first gluten-free and alcohol-free beer in 2011. Since then, all the major brewing groups have offered at least one gluten-free beer: Cruzcampo, Mahou, Estrella Galicia, etc. In every case, they are versions of their flagship beers.
The main way to produce a gluten-free beer is to apply enzymes that break down this compound present in barley, wheat, rye and oats. In principle, the procedure is simple, although it requires strict control. The process does not alter the flavors or aromas of the beer, but it does reduce the stability of the foam.
Of course, craft brewers are not oblivious to this new reality and have also launched their own gluten-free beers. Here are some of the best-known ones:
- As Cervesa Artesana - Wallace American Blond Ale
- Bidassoa Basque Brewery - Hoppy Pale Ale
- Birra & Blues - Double Malt Belgian Blonde Ale
- Byra - Engel Helles
- Espiga - Blonde Ale
- Guineu - Dr. Calypso IPA
- La Calavera - The Walking Coelics American Pale Ale
- La Pirata - Suria American Pale Ale
- La Quince - God Save the Hoppy Blonde Ale
- La Virgen – Madrid Lager
- Lo Vilot - Zatec Belgian Pale Ale
- Marina - Alta Pale Ale
- Menduiña - Loira Rye Lager
- Nómada - Petricor India Pale Ale/Lager
It would not be surprising if, over time, most microbreweries offered at least one gluten‑free beer. Diabetics are also big beer lovers.
