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Brewery & Distillery
Craft Brewery

CRAFT GLUTEN-FREE BEERS AND SPIRITS

THAT WILL WIN FANS FOR ALL OCCASIONS

By: Laura K. Allred, Ph.D., Regulatory Manager, Gluten Intolerance Group and
Jeanne Reid, Marketing Manager, Gluten Intolerance Group
T he desire to gather over good food and market is driven by rising rates of various forms of

gluten sensitivity, in addition to increased diagnosis
drink is a powerful urge for most people.
For those who have adopted a gluten-free of celiac disease.
diet, finding ways to socialize is often complicated
by the need for refreshments that don’t contain While the market for gluten-free alcohol is com-
gluten. Members of the gluten-free community parable to that of other gluten-free products,
crave a sense of belonging and normalcy as much consumers are particularly concerned about the
as anybody, but they don’t want to eat or drink safety of alcoholic beverages because so many of
anything that will make them sick. Makers of glu- them are made from grains that contain gluten.
ten-free craft beers and spirits can instill trust in Gluten-free consumers tend to be avid researchers
consumers by following best practices for manufac- who carefully read ingredient lists and doublecheck
turing gluten-free beverages, heeding recent chang- claims by visiting manufacturers’ websites. Given
es in labeling requirements, and ensuring that their the choice, gluten-free consumers will always opt
product is truly gluten-free. for products that are labeled gluten-free. What’s
more, they’re often willing to pay more for a prod-
The Gluten-Free Market for uct that lives up to its gluten-free name.
Alcoholic Beverages
Recent Rule Changes for
Along with the rest of the gluten-free market, Fermented and Distilled Beverages
which exhibits a compound annual growth rate
of 9.2% and is projected to reach $43 billion by For people with celiac disease and other forms
2027, demand for alcoholic beverages that are glu- of gluten sensitivity, finding gluten-free products
ten-free is growing. The growth in the gluten-free isn’t a dietary or wellness fad; it’s a requirement for
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