Keystone Light

Beer: Keystone Light
Style: Light lager
Brewing location: Colorado, USA

Originating country: USA

Alcohol by Volume: 4.2% 

Ingredients: water, yeast, barley, grains and hops

Format tested: 12 oz. can Los Angeles, CA

Beeradvocate rating: 4/100

Ratebeer rating: n/a/100

Test kit: E-Z Gluten

Miscellaneous

• Brewed by the Coors Brewing Company since 1989.
• The "Light" and "Ice" versions of the beer are far more prevalent and readily available for retail across the United States.
• In promotion of Keystone Light, Coors Brewing Company has created a fictitious character named Keith Stone. Keith Stone has appeared in numerous television spots promoting Keystone Light, where he dials a phone with beef jerky. The advertisements involving Keith Stone have inspired many customers to make spoof advertisements for distribution on the Internet.
• In 2011, Coors Brewing Company, in promotion of its product Keystone Light, re-engineered its 30-pack cases to allow its purchasers to play a modified game of Cornhole, a popular Lawn game. The brewer rebranded its boxes to promote the game of "Canhole".
  
  

Test result photo

Test result

Very High Positive at 20 parts per million (ppm), meaning it more than 20 ppm. Though standards vary from country to country, according to the FDA, "In order to use the term 'gluten free' on its label a food must meet all the requirements of the definition, including that the food must contain less than 20 ppm gluten."  It is said that products with a gluten content below 20 ppm are suitable for people with celiac disease.

My experience drinking Keystone Light

Of all the mass-produced US lagers this my favorite. Keystone Light is brewed by Coors and is supposed to be the poorer relation to Coors Light. Seriously? Like Coors Light is top notch beer! In my opinion it is the other way around. Coors Light is under 10 ppm so it's a big shame Keystone Light isn't at least under 20 ppm.  

I am not sure where I fall in the gluten tolerance spectrum; I am gluten intolerant but not celiac. I definitely know what it feels like to be “glutened” i.e. gluten exposure, but I have not deliberately pushed my gluten consumption limits with any food or beer. I consumed this 12oz can in 30 minutes and felt no gluten effects.

Michelob Ultra

Beer: Michelob Ultra
Style: Light Lager
Brewing location: St. Louis, Missouri
Originating country: USA
Alcohol by Volume: 4.2% 
Ingredients: Pale two-row and Munich six-row barley, select grains, all imported hops, a pure cultured yeast strain and water
Format tested: 25 oz. can purchased in Los Angeles, CA USA
Beeradvocate rating: 47/100
Ratebeer rating: NA/100
Test kit: E-Z Gluten

Miscellaneous

• The U.S. a demand for diet beer similar to that of the early 1970s, and in 2002 the Michelob line responded with the introduction of Michelob Ultra, advertised as being low in carbohydrates.
• Developed by Adolphus Busch in 1896 as a "draught beer for connoisseurs."
• Named for the Czech town of Michalovice.
• According to a report by Beer Marketer's Insights and published by USA Today on December 9, 2013, sales of Michelob Light declined by nearly 70% between 2007 and 2012. The article listed Michelob Light as one of "nine beers many Americans no longer drink."

Test results photo

Test result

High Positive at 20 parts per million (ppm), meaning it is more than 20 ppm gluten. Though standards vary from country to country, according to the FDA, "In order to use the term 'gluten free' on its label, a food must meet all the requirements of the definition, including that the food must contain less than 20 ppm gluten." It is said that products with a gluten content below 20 ppm are suitable for people with celiac disease.

My experience drinking Michelob Ultra

My mother always said "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all." So...
I am not sure where I fall in the gluten tolerance spectrum. I definitely know what it feels like to be "glutened" i.e. gluten exposure, but I have not deliberately pushed my gluten consumption limits with any food or beer. I had no noticeable reaction drinking this 25 oz. can in around one hour.

Pacifico

Beer: Pacifico Clara
Style: Pale Lager
Brewing location: Mexico City
Originating country: Mexico
Alcohol by Volume: 4.5% 
Ingredients: filtered water, malted barley, hops, corn and yeast
Format tested: 12 oz. bottle purchased in Los Angeles, CA USA
Beeradvocate rating: 2.69/5
Ratebeer rating: 4/100
Test kit: E-Z Gluten

Miscellaneous

• Cerveza Pacífico is named so because the Pacífico brewery is located in the Pacific Ocean port city of Mazatlán, in the state of Sinaloa, México.
• It was first brewed in 1900 when three Germans opened a brewery, the Cerveceria del Pacífico, in Mazatlán.
• "Clara" means clear, blonde, as opposed to "oscura" (dark).
• Its label includes a picture depicting a lifesaver encompassing a hill with the port's lighthouse hill, known locally as "Cerro del Crestón."

Test results photo

Test result

Negative at 20 parts per million (ppm), meaning it is less than 20 ppm gluten. Though standards vary from country to country, according to the FDA, "in order to use the term 'gluten free' on its label a food must meet all the requirements of the definition, including that the food must contain less than 20 ppm gluten".  It is said that products with a gluten content below 20 ppm are suitable for people with celiac disease.

My experience drinking Pacifico

One of those perfectly decent Mexican lagers. I'm sure it's nobody's "go to" beer but one of those beers you'll happily have with Mexican food. I am not sure where I fall in the gluten tolerance spectrum. I definitely know what it feels like to be "glutened" i.e. gluten exposure, but I have not deliberately pushed my gluten consumption limits with any food or beer. I had no noticeable reaction drinking this 12 oz. bottle in around one hour.

Firestone Pivo Pils

Beer: Firestone Pivo Pils

Style: German Pilsener

Brewing location: Paso Robles, CA

Originating country: USA

Alcohol by Volume: 5.3% 

Ingredients: malted barley, hops, yeast and water

Format tested: 12 oz bottle purchased in Paso Robles, CA

Beeradvocate rating: 89/100

Ratebeer rating: 92/100

Test kit: E-Z Gluten

Miscellaneous

• Firestone Walker Brewing Company is a brewery in Paso Robles, Central Coast California, and Buellton, California.
• The company utilizes a patented variation of the Burton Union system developed in England in the 1800s in its oak barrel fermentation process.
• Firestone Walker, which was World Beer Cup Champion Brewery for mid-sized breweries in 2004, 2006, 2010, and 2012, was the sixteenth largest craft brewery in the U.S. in beer sales volume in 2014.
• Firestone Walker Brewing Company was formed in 1996 in Santa Barbara County by Adam Firestone, son of Brooks Firestone and great-great grandson of Harvey Firestone who started the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company, and his brother-in-law David Walker.
• July 2015, it was announced that Duvel Moortgat would be acquiring a stake in Paso Robles, California craft brewer Firestone Walker Brewing Company.

Test result photo

Test result

Very High Positive at 20 parts per million (ppm), meaning it is more than 20 ppm. Though standards vary from country to country, according to the FDA, "In order to use the term 'gluten free' on its label a food must meet all the requirements of the definition, including that the food must contain less than 20 ppm gluten."  It is said that products with a gluten content below 20 ppm are suitable for people with celiac disease.

My experience drinking Firestone Pivo Pils

US craft brew lagers have failed to impress me so far. This is a very good effort though; distinctly hoppy but not overly so. Serve ICE cold in a Tom Collins glass.

I am not sure where I fall in the gluten tolerance spectrum; I am gluten intolerant but not celiac. I definitely know what it feels like to be “glutened” i.e. gluten exposure, but I have not deliberately pushed my gluten consumption limits with any food or beer. I consumed this 12 oz bottle and felt none of my typical gluten effects.

Hite

Beer: Hite

Style: Pale Lager

Brewing location: South Korea

Originating country: South Korea

Alcohol by Volume: 4.5% 

Ingredients: malted brewed form purest underground well water, Canadian Harrington barley, Parle Aroma and Yakima hops and yeast 

Format tested: 12 oz bottle purchased in Los Angeles, CA

Beeradvocate rating: 61/100

Ratebeer rating: 2/100

Test kit: E-Z Gluten

Miscellaneous

• Hite Brewery Company Limited (Korean: 하이트맥주) is a South Korean brewery company headquartered in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul.
• The company was established as Chosun Breweries in 1933.
• Hite is the top-selling beer in South Korea.
• Hite Slogan: Clean, Crisp and Fresh! or Cool and Fresh!

Test result photo

Test result

Very High Positive at 20 parts per million (ppm), meaning it is more than 20 ppm. Though standards vary from country to country, according to the FDA, "In order to use the term 'gluten free' on its label a food must meet all the requirements of the definition, including that the food must contain less than 20 ppm gluten."  It is said that products with a gluten content below 20 ppm are suitable for people with celiac disease.

My experience drinking Hite

Forgettable: I tested this a while ago and cannot remember what it tasted like. 

I am not sure where I fall in the gluten tolerance spectrum; I am gluten intolerant but not celiac. I definitely know what it feels like to be “glutened” i.e. gluten exposure, but I have not deliberately pushed my gluten consumption limits with any food or beer. I consumed this 12 oz bottle and felt none of my typical gluten effects.

Duvel Tripel Hop

Beer: Duvel Tripel Hop

Style: Belgian IPA

Brewing location: Belgium

Originating country: Belgium

Alcohol by Volume: 9.5% 

Ingredients: malted barley, hops, yeast and water

Format tested: 12 oz bottle purchased in Los Angeles, CA

Beeradvocate rating: 91/100

Ratebeer rating: 94/100

Test kit: E-Z Gluten

Miscellaneous

• Duvel Tripel Hop is brewed with three hop varieties and each year the third hop is changed to provide its own unique taste and aroma.
• For 2015 the brewers selected the aromatic hop EQUINOX from the USA.
• Brewed by Duvel Moortgat, in Breendonk-Puurs, Belgium. Moortgat brewery was founded in 1871 by Jan-Leonard Moortgat.
• Duvel Moortgat was an original investor in the Brewery Ommegang craft brewery founded in Cooperstown, NY, in the late 1990s.
• July 2015, it was announced that Duvel Moortgat would be acquiring a stake in Paso Robles, California craft brewer Firestone Walker Brewing Company.

Test result photo

Test result

Negative at 20 parts per million (ppm), meaning it is less than 20 ppm. Though standards vary from country to country, according to the FDA, "In order to use the term 'gluten free' on its label a food must meet all the requirements of the definition, including that the food must contain less than 20 ppm gluten."  It is said that products with a gluten content below 20 ppm are suitable for people with celiac disease.

My experience drinking Duvel Tripel Hop

I am a big fan of the original Duvel but this seems like a way to cash in on the current craze for American-style IPAs and highly-hopped beers. Surely there are enough of those already? To be honest, if I tasted this blind I would never have guessed it was Duvel. Why ruin a perfectly good beer? It's like putting ketchup on caviar.

I am not sure where I fall in the gluten tolerance spectrum; I am gluten intolerant but not celiac. I definitely know what it feels like to be “glutened” i.e. gluten exposure, but I have not deliberately pushed my gluten consumption limits with any food or beer. I consumed this 12 oz bottle and felt none of my typical gluten effects.

Beer Test Results Summary Chart - through 2015

Beer	Test Results using E-Z Gluten*
Asahi Super Dry	Over 20 ppm
Beck's	Over 20 ppm
Brooklyn Lager	Over 20 ppm
Bud Light	Over 20 ppm
Carlsberg	Under 20 ppm
Chimay Premiere	Over 20 ppm
Coors Light	Under 10 ppm
Corona Extra	Under 10 ppm
Duvel	Under 20 ppm
Fat Tire	Over 20 ppm
Foster's Lager	Over 20 ppm
Guinness	Over 20 ppm
Heineken	Over 20 ppm
Heineken Light	Over 20 ppm
Hitachino Nest Red Rice Ale	Over 20 ppm
Kirin Light	Under 20 ppm
La Fin du Monde	Over 20 ppm
Leffe	Over 20 ppm
Maudite	Over 20 ppm
Miller High Life	Over 20 ppm
Miller Lite	Over 20 ppm
Modelo Especial	Under 20 ppm
Orval	Over 20 ppm
Negra Modelo	Under 20 ppm
Newcastle Brown Ale	Over 20 ppm
Omission Pale Ale	Under 20 ppm
Pabst Blue Ribbon	Under 20 ppm
Peroni Nastro Azzuro	Over 20 ppm
Pilsner Urquell	Over 20 ppm
Red Stripe	Over 20 ppm
Sapporo	Over 20 ppm
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale	Over 20 ppm
Stella Artois	Over 20 ppm
Stone IPA	Over 20 ppm
Tecate	Over 20 ppm
Tsingtao	Under 20 ppm
Yanjing	Over 20 ppm

* Though standards vary from country to country, according to the FDA, "In order to use the term 'gluten free' on its label a food must meet all the requirements of the definition, including that the food must contain less than 20 ppm (parts per million) gluten." It is said that products with a gluten content below 20 ppm are suitable for people with celiac disease.
DISCLAIMER: We are testing beers out of our own curiosity at home and sharing the test results with others. We are not medical doctors and our results should not be interpreted as medical advice. We do NOT claim that ANY of these beers are safe to consume if you have celiac disease or are gluten intolerant.

Hitachino Nest Red Rice Ale

Beer: Hitachino Nest Red Rice Ale

Style: Belgian Strong Pale Ale

Brewing location: Ibaraki, Japan

Originating country: Japan

Alcohol by Volume: 7% 

Ingredients: red rice, water, yeast, barley and hops

Format tested: 750 ml Los Angeles, CA

Beeradvocate rating: 82/100

Ratebeer rating: 49/100

Test kit: E-Z Gluten

Miscellaneous

• The Japanese word こだわり KODAWARI means the uncompromising and meticulous engagement of perfection. This is how the brewery, Kiuchi, brews Hitachino Nest.
• They have been brewing beer since 1996.
• Red Rice Ale is brewed with ancient red rice. The ale has complex Sake like flavors with a hint of strawberry in the nose and palate.
• The brewing process starts with the polishing, washing, soaking and steaming of rice (25% of total grain bill) to break down complex type b-starch molecules into short type a ones.
  
  

Test result photo

Test result

High Positive at 20 parts per million (ppm), meaning it more than 20 ppm. Though standards vary from country to country, according to the FDA, "In order to use the term 'gluten free' on its label a food must meet all the requirements of the definition, including that the food must contain less than 20 ppm gluten."  It is said that products with a gluten content below 20 ppm are suitable for people with celiac disease.

My experience drinking Hitachino Nest Red Rice Ale

I see this one inaccurately classified as gluten-free in stores. Granted, the labeling is misleading. You are led to believe it is brewed purely with red rice and no barley malts. From the first taste you can tell this is not so. It tastes too good! A great quality beer - could pass as a genuine Belgian ale - but a big shame it is not under 20 ppm. 

I am not sure where I fall in the gluten tolerance spectrum; I am gluten intolerant but not celiac. I definitely know what it feels like to be “glutened” i.e. gluten exposure, but I have not deliberately pushed my gluten consumption limits with any food or beer. I consumed this 12oz bottle in 1 hour and felt no gluten effects.

Maudite

Beer: Maudite

Style: Belgian Strong Dark Ale

Brewing location: Chambly, Canada

Originating country: Canada

Alcohol by Volume: 8% 

Ingredients: yeast, water, malts and hops

Format tested: 750 ml Los Angeles, CA

Beeradvocate rating: 93/100

Ratebeer rating: 98/100

Test kit: E-Z Gluten

Miscellaneous

• Maudite has a typically Quebecois name that is reminiscent of the legend of the Chasse-Galerie (the legend of the Flying Canoe). Legend has it that a group of lumberjacks struck a deal with the devil to fly home in their canoes, guided by Satan himself, to make it home in time for Christmas.
• In November 1992, Maudite (the damned one), was the first strong beer to be distributed in Quebec grocery stores.
• Most of Unibroue's beers are bottled "on the lees," or containing yeast sediment (or lees). This practice provides additional fermentation after bottling. The result is a beer which ages well if kept in the dark and unrefrigerated, and allows it to be shipped relatively cheaply to international markets.
• Unibroue was founded by business partners André Dion and Serge Racine who had acquired 75% of La Brasserie Massawippi Inc. of Lennoxville in 1990.
• The brewery was bought by Canadian brewer, Sleeman Breweries Ltd., in 2004. In turn, Sleeman, in turn, was purchased in 2006 by Sapporo.

Test result photo

Test result

High Positive at 20 parts per million (ppm), meaning it more than 20 ppm. Though standards vary from country to country, according to the FDA, "In order to use the term 'gluten free' on its label a food must meet all the requirements of the definition, including that the food must contain less than 20 ppm gluten."  It is said that products with a gluten content below 20 ppm are suitable for people with celiac disease.

My experience drinking Maudite

I am not sure where I fall in the gluten tolerance spectrum; I am gluten intolerant but not celiac. I definitely know what it feels like to be “glutened” i.e. gluten exposure, but I have not deliberately pushed my gluten consumption limits with any food or beer. I consumed this 750ml bottle in 2 hours and felt no gluten effects.

Yanjing

Beer: Yanjing

Style: Pale Lager

Brewing location: Bejing

Originating country: China

Alcohol by Volume: ?% 

Ingredients: malted barley, hops, yeast and water

Format tested: 12 oz bottle purchased in Los Angeles, CA

Beeradvocate rating: N/A

Ratebeer rating: N/A

Test kit: E-Z Gluten

Miscellaneous

• The brewery was founded in 1980 in Beijing, China.
• Yanjing Beer is brewed with pure mineral water collected 300 meters beneath the Yanshang Mountain and is certified "Green Food."
• It is considered the 8th biggest brewery in the world and the third biggest in China.
• Other brands include Liquan, Huiquan and Xuelu.
• Yanjing beer has the nick name entitled "the real taste of China" because typical Chinese people really enjoy this beer.

Test result photo

Test result

Very high positive at 20 parts per million (ppm), meaning it is well over 20 ppm. Though standards vary from country to country, according to the FDA, "in order to use the term 'gluten free' on its label a food must meet all the requirements of the definition, including that the food must contain less than 20 ppm gluten." It is said that products with a gluten content below 20 ppm are suitable for people with celiac disease.

My experience drinking Yanjing

I had high expectations for this one, given how enjoyable Tsingtao is. Well this didn't come close. Just A.N. Other lager.

I am not sure where I fall in the gluten tolerance spectrum; I am gluten intolerant but not celiac. I definitely know what it feels like to be “glutened” i.e. gluten exposure, but I have not deliberately pushed my gluten consumption limits with any food or beer. I consumed this 12 oz bottle and felt none of my typical gluten effects.

Brooklyn Lager

Beer: Brooklyn Lager

Style: American Amber/Red Lager/Vienna Lager

Brewing location: Brooklyn, NY

Originating country:  United States

Alcohol by Volume: 5.2% 

Ingredients: malted barley, hops, water, yeast

Format tested: 12 oz. bottle purchased in London, England

Beeradvocate rating: 86/100

Ratebeer rating: 86/100

Test kit: E-Z Gluten

Miscellaneous

• Brooklyn Brewery was started in 1987 by Steve Hindy and Tom Potter.
• The owners hired graphic designer Milton Glaser, best known as the creator of the logo for the I Love New York campaign, to create the company logo and identity.
• Esquire magazine selected the Brooklyn Lager 16 ounce as one of the "Best Canned Beers to Drink Now" in a February, 2012 article.
• In the late 1800’s Brooklyn was one of the largest brewing centers in the country, home to more than 45 breweries. Lager beer in the “Vienna” style was one of the local favorites.
• 2010 World Beer Championships: Gold Medal, 2011 World Beer Championships: Gold Medal, 2010 Craftcans.com 3rd place, 2010 Hong Kong International Beer Awards Winner.

Test result photo

Test result

Very High Positive at 20 parts per million (ppm), meaning it is more than 20 ppm. Though standards vary from country to country, according to the FDA, "In order to use the term 'gluten free' on its label a food must meet all the requirements of the definition, including that the food must contain less than 20 ppm gluten." It is said that products with a gluten content below 20 ppm are suitable for people with celiac disease.

My experience drinking Brooklyn Lager

I heard a rumor this one was 'low gluten'. Because it's not distributed on the US west coast where I live, I picked up some on a recent trip to London! As you can see above, it is more than 20 ppm using EZ Gluten. This is not really my cup of tea. The label says Vienna Lager but I don't agree; it's way too malty and the citrus taste makes me feel like I'm swirling breakfast cereal and orange juice in my mouth - great for morning drinking!

I am not sure where I fall in the gluten tolerance spectrum; I am gluten intolerant but not celiac. I definitely know what it feels like to be “glutened” i.e. gluten exposure, but I have not deliberately pushed my gluten consumption limits with any food or beer. I consumed this 12 oz. bottle in 30 minutes and felt no gluten effects.

Kirin Light

Beer: Kirin Light

Style: Light Lager

Brewing location: Anheuser-Busch, Los Angeles, CA, United States

Originating country:  Japan

Alcohol by Volume: 3.3% 

Ingredients: Czech Hops, Canadian barley malt, water and yeast

Format tested: 22 oz. bottle purchased in Los Angeles, CA

Beeradvocate rating: 58/100

Ratebeer rating: 1/100

Test kit: E-Z Gluten

Miscellaneous

• A 12-ounce bottle of Kirin Light has only 95 calories.
• Kirin Brewery was founded in Japan in 1885.
• In Japanese, “kirin” can refer to giraffes, or to Qilin, mythical hooved Chinese chimerical creatures. Kirin Brewery is named after the latter.
• Kirin has a 48% stake in San Miguel Brewery, the dominant brewer in the Philippines
• Kirin now applies its fermentation technology to areas such as plant genetics, pharmaceuticals, and bioengineering.

Test result photo

Test result

Negative at 20 parts per million (ppm), meaning it is more than 20 ppm. Though standards vary from country to country, according to the FDA, "In order to use the term 'gluten free' on its label a food must meet all the requirements of the definition, including that the food must contain less than 20 ppm gluten." It is said that products with a gluten content below 20 ppm are suitable for people with celiac disease.

My experience drinking Kirin Light

Sorry, I don't really have anything nice to say about this beer. It has a sweaty flat taste to it. I'm grateful that it is under 20 ppm but I won't buy it again. 

I am not sure where I fall in the gluten tolerance spectrum; I am gluten intolerant but not celiac. I definitely know what it feels like to be “glutened” i.e. gluten exposure, but I have not deliberately pushed my gluten consumption limits with any food or beer. I consumed this 22 oz. bottle in 30 minutes and felt no gluten effects.