I have an appreciation for beer. My uncle, Hannes van der Walt, is an award-winning beer maker. I soon realised that there needs to be perfect synergy between science and art to produce craft beer. Nothing is as refreshing as a craft beer on a hot summer’s day. Needless to say, when I went on a gluten-free diet I regrettably had to sacrifice my occasional pleasure.
Traditional beer brewing methods use wheat or barley, which contain gluten. South Africa has a history of making traditional gluten-free beer. The Xhosa and Zulu people of South Africa has been making “umqombothi” for centuries using sorghum and corn. I was elated to realise that the South African consumer now has the luxury to buy gluten-free beer commercially.
This commercial beer is made by using gluten-free grains like sorghum and corn. Another manufacturing method is to use gluten containing grains. The gluten is extracted by an enzyme called Endopratotease which hydrolyze the gluten preptides before fermentation.
Readers please be aware: Sine I only have a gluten-sensitivity, I enjoyed most of these beers and didn’t experience any side effects associated with gluten. It is important to note that most celiac foundations still don’t consider gluten-free beer safe for celiacs.
| Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner | Snack |
|---|---|---|---|
Oat porridge with cacao, blueberries, low-fat yoghurt and honey  | Wholegrain sandwich with cucumber, boiled egg and olive oil mayonnaise  | Falafel with olives and hummus, grilled root vegetables and courgettes  | 1 Fruit |
Sourdough toast with leftover hummus and tomato | Leftovers- falafel and olives with grilled vegetables | Pumpkin risotto with a small portion of (lean) back bacon Could be made with brown rice as well | Carrot and mango juice |
| Oats porridge with berries, low-fat yoghurt and honey | Leftover pumpkin risotto | Brown rice pasta with pesto, anchovies and tomato | 1 Fruit |
Cinnamon quinoa with flax seeds, ½ orange | Leftover pasta | Store-bought fresh soup: low-fat broccoli/tomato with sourdough bread | Berrie smoothie |
Spinach, apple and banana smoothie with protein powder | Tuna salad with feta, olives, cucumber, tomatoes and tuna | Quinoa with dukkah-crusted chicken breast, grilled broccoli | Orange |
16 Comments
Any chance of posting the alcohol contents of each of these beers?
Hi Mark!
Thanks for the feedback, will do so soon:)
Hi. Please double check this post. I have celiac disease, so I’m always looking for gluten free options, hence I came across your post. A delightful read, thank you. However, some of the beer ingredients mentioned here are not gluten free. Hops is gluten free. Barley does contain gluten. Barley derived malt also contains gluten. Corn derived malt is gluten free. Just a note to assist in case someone with the same condition is considering trying some of the beers listed here.
Best wishes. Lulu.
Thanks for your message Lulu, please see reply above. I will also edit this post!
Hi! Just a note that Barley is not gluten free. It is noted in a number of the beers above!!
Thanks Kathy- Although barley contains gluten, the gluten is extracted from the beer after fermentation. I would drink this beer if I have a gluten sensitivity but will avoid it with celiac disease. Celiac foundations don’t reccomend drinking this type of beer.
Thx for info. Will travel again late JAN in South Africa. We here in Finland & Scandinavia we have a lot of gluten issues. In Finland Laitilan Kukko produces 7 different gluten free beers http://www.kukkobeer.com . I also just found out about a Finnish brand with fresh gluten free pasta (6 different plus 5 filled raviolis etc) http://www.glutenzero.com . There is hope!
I have celiac disease and have tried all three of the ‘Gluten free’ beers from Lithuania. Each one caused flare ups. I haven’t seen any claims by the brewers of these beers that they are gluten free, the plastic packaging for Springtase that calls it Gluten free is put on the beers in South Africa. marketing them as such is deceptive and dangerous.
True! I had a reaction from just drinking half of the Volfas Engelman Rinktinis
Hi just to say I have a strong gluten sensitivity and have been drinking the Sprintase for 2 years now with no side effects. I found the Volfas gave me a foggy head the next day though. Loving my 2 beers a day!
That is great thanks for the feedback!
That is great Kari, thanks for the feedback!
I had a reaction from Volfas Engelman Rinktinis within 15 minutes. Definitely not gluten free.
I am celiac and have enjoyed sprintase and the Volga’s and engelman pilsner. I do not swell up like I do with normal beer but still seem to get diarrhea.
I am also concerned about the lack of information on the tins and bottles.
I reacted to Volvas Pilzeno in a matter of minutes. Definitely not a gluten free beer.
Thank you so much for the info everyone. I was concerned about these beers and I was in touch with the importers in the Free State.
I have “silent celiac” ….in other words I don’t show symptoms, but there is damage when I have gluten. ( blood tests, scopes )
The importers stated that these beers are below 20ppm and even had a certificate, so now I’m very confused!
One tends to doubt all “gluten free” products.