Are Hops Gluten-Free? (Yes, Here’s Why)


Are Hops Gluten-Free

If you’ve never heard of “hops” before, now you have. Hop is a plant used in the brewing process to make beer, which is also commonly not gluten-free because of the use of wheat in the brewing process. So, does that mean hops aren’t gluten-free?

Hops are derived from a plant that is gluten-free. Hops are commonly used in the brewing process to make beers, as different types of hops can bring out different aromas and flavors in each brew. Some notable brands to look for that are gluten-free and brew using hops are Omission, Glutenberg, Ipswich, and Holidaily Brewing Company.

In this article, we will go over many different gluten-free brands and their types of beer, including lagers, IPAs, and ales, that are made using hops. Let’s dig in!

Are Hops Bad For You?

The Hops plant itself is not bad for you, in fact, it has a bountiful amount of properties used for treatments. It is commonly used in brewing beer, and occasionally in flavoring components in foods. Folk medicine commonly used hops to combat insomnia, which in recent years has been confirmed to be valid. In hops lies a compound called xanthohumol, which is believed to have anti-restenotic properties (this means it helps relax blood vessels and improve blood circulation), which can aid with conditions like atherosclerosis. 

There are specific groups that should avoid using Hops. Those with depression may end up worsening their symptoms. Those with estrogen-dependent conditions like endometriosis, gynecomastia, and very specific types of breast cancer, need to avoid hops. For anyone about to go into surgery, hops supplements should be stopped two weeks prior due to their sedation effects which may amplify the results of the anesthesia. 

Nutritional Facts for Hops 

Pilsner, Lakefront Brewery, New Grist

The first of its kind, New Grist by Lakefront Brewery is brewed without wheat or barley. It is the first gluten-free beer to be granted this label by the United States Government. This specific product, New Grist, is brewed using sorghum, rice, hops, water, and yeast.

Ingredients for this flavor include:

  • Rice
  • Water
  • Sorghum
  • Hops
  • Gluten-free Yeast
  • Gluten-free

Nutrition Facts (per 12 fl oz):

  • Calories- 166
  • Total Fat- 0g
  • Total Carbs- 14.3g
  • Protein- 0g

Redbridge Lager

This rich, full-bodied lager is made and brewed using sorghum to make it totally gluten-free. It has been labeled one of the best gluten-free lagers, there is! 

Ingredients for this flavor include:

  • Water
  • Fermented Sorghum (Sorghum, Corn Syrup)
  • Hops
  • Yeast
  • Dairy-free
  • Gluten-free
  • Vegan

Nutrition Facts (per 1 Bottle, 355ml):

  • Calories- 130
  • Total Fat- 0g
  • Total Carbs- 12g
  • Protein- 0g

American Brown Ale, Ground Breaker Dark Ale

This unforgettable Ground Breaker Dark Ale has a dark color and a rich flavor that comes from roasted chestnuts and lentils. Some say that it almost tastes like it has notes of chocolate and espresso! And, by the way, it’s gluten-free!

Ingredients for this flavor include:

  • Dark Roasted Rice Malt
  • Chestnuts
  • Lentils
  • Dark Belgian0style Candi Sugar
  • English Ale Yeast
  • Hops
  • Water
  • Gluten-free

Nutrition Facts (per 12 fl oz, 355ml):

  • Calories- 190
  • Total Fat- 0g
  • Total Carbs- 12.3g
  • Protein- 1g

Holidaily Brewing Company, Holiday Favorite Buckwit Belgian Witobier

Holidaily Brewing Company only uses gluten-free ingredients (this is your sign to go check out their other products!). This is how they came up with the play-on-words with the use of “buckwheat” in their products to come up with this Holiday Favorite Buckwit Belgian Witobier. 

Ingredients for this flavor include:

  • Mandarina Bavaria Hops
  • Willamette Hops
  • Millet Malt
  • Buckwheat Malt
  • Water
  • Gluten-free

Nutrition Facts (per 12 fl oz, 355ml):

  • Calories- 127
  • Total Fat- 0g
  • Total Carbs- 12.3g
  • Protein- 1g

Glutenberg, Glutenberg Gose

This Glutenberg Gose by Glutenberg is gluten-free and contains hops! It’s made using a mixture of Millet, Buckwheat, Quinoa, Sea Salt, and Mandarina Bavaria Hops, to give it its notably sour taste. 

Ingredients for this flavor include:

  • Millet
  • Buckwheat
  • Quinoa
  • Sea Salt
  • Mandarina Bavaria Hops
  • Gluten-free

Nutrition Facts (per 12 fl oz, 355ml):

  • Calories- 222
  • Total Fat- 0g
  • Total Carbs- 16g
  • Protein- 1g

Holidaily Brewing Company, Holiday Favorite Blonde Ale

Holidaily Brewing Company only uses gluten-free ingredients (this is your sign to go check out their other products!). This product is named in honor of a special small-town optometrist that called the Holidaily Brewing Company Founder, his favorite “blonde”. 

Ingredients for this flavor include:

  • Millet Malt
  • Buckwheat Malt
  • Cascade Hops
  • Centennial Hops
  • Water
  • Gluten-free

Nutrition Facts (per 12 fl oz, 355ml):

  • Calories- 200
  • Total Fat- 0g
  • Total Carbs- 50g
  • Protein- 1g

Ipswich, Ipswich Celia Saison

This Belgian-inspired Saison is gluten-free and made using sorghum. It has a notably spicy flavor that has won many awards with its noteworthy flavor. 

Ingredients for this flavor include:

  • Sorghum
  • Water
  • Celia Hops
  • Curacao Orange Peel
  • Belgium Yeast
  • Gluten-free

Nutrition Facts (per 12 fl oz, 355ml):

  • Calories- 192
  • Total Fat- 0g
  • Total Carbs- 15g
  • Protein- 1g

Omission, Lager

This gluten-free Lager by Omission is brewed in the traditional lager style. It is a refreshing, crisp gluten-free beer made using hops. It is important to note that though it has the “gluten-free” labeling, this product is fermented from gluten-containing grains, but then is crafted to remove gluten after the fermentation process. It is up to the individual on whether they wish to consume this product. 

Ingredients for this flavor include:

  • Hops
  • Gluten-free

Nutrition Facts (per 12 fl oz, 355ml):

  • Calories- 134
  • Total Fat- 0g
  • Total Carbs- 10g
  • Protein- 1.8g

Omission, Pale Ale

This gluten-free Lager by Omission is brewed in the traditional lager style. It is a refreshing, crisp gluten-free beer made using hops. It is important to note that though it has the “gluten-free” labeling, this product is fermented from gluten-containing grains, but then is crafted to remove gluten after the fermentation process. It is up to the individual on whether they wish to consume this product. 

Ingredients for this flavor include:

  • Cascade Hops
  • Caramel Malt 
  • Gluten-free

Nutrition Facts (per 12 fl oz, 355ml):

  • Calories- 181
  • Total Fat- 0g
  • Total Carbs- 13g
  • Protein- 12.5g

Omission, IPA

Omission’s IPA is made using bold, Pacific Northwest hops that give it its pine, citrus, and grapefruit flavorings. It is important to note that though it has the “gluten-free” labeling, this product is fermented from gluten-containing grains, but then is crafted to remove gluten after the fermentation process. It is up to the individual on whether they wish to consume this product. 

Ingredients for this flavor include:

  • Millennium Hops
  • Summit Hops
  • Cascade Hops
  • Caramel Malt 
  • Gluten-free

Nutrition Facts (per 12 fl oz, 355ml):

  • Calories- 202
  • Total Fat- 0g
  • Total Carbs- 15g
  • Protein- 2.3g

Healthy Gluten-free Alternatives to Hops

Golden State Cider, Mighty Hops Hard Cider

This Mighty Hops Hard Cider by Golden State Cider is gluten-free and vegan-friendly! It does not contain any added sugars. It is made using fresh-pressed West Coast apples, Champagne Yeast, and Columbus Hops, to give it its notably ripe flavor. 

Ingredients for this flavor include:

  • Pressed West Coast Apples
  • Champagne Yeast
  • Columbus Hops
  • No Concentrates
  • Gluten-free
  • Vegan
  • No Added Sugars

Nutrition Facts (per 12 fl oz, 355ml):

  • Calories- 200
  • Total Fat- 0g
  • Total Carbs- 14g
  • Protein- 0g

Juneshine, Midnight Painkiller Hard Kombucha

This Midnight Painkiller Hard Kombucha by Juneshine contains 6% alcohol content. It is gluten-free, while also being high in probiotics, low in sugar, and a great reset after holiday feasts. 

Ingredients for this flavor include:

  • Filtered Water
  • Cane Sugar
  • Honey
  • Pineapple Juice
  • Green Tea
  • Orange Juice
  • Coconut
  • Nutmeg
  • Beet Juice
  • Lemon Juice
  • Phycocyanin
  • Yeast
  • Jun Kombucha Culture
  • Gluten-free
  • USDA Organic
  • Kosher
  • Dairy-free

Nutrition Facts (per 12 fl oz, 355ml):

  • Calories- 150
  • Total Fat- 0g
  • Total Carbs- 6g
  • Protein- 0g

Kom Brew Cha, Hard Kombucha Variety Pack

Kom Brew Cha’s Kombucha contains 4.4% alcohol content in a load of different flavors like Berry Hibiscus, Blood Orange, and Mango Pineapple. Each hard kombucha is gluten-free while being filled with probiotics and flavor! 

Ingredients for this flavor include:

  • Purified Water
  • Cane Syrup
  • Kombucha Culture
  • Cane Sugar
  • Mango Puree
  • Pineapple Juice Concentrate
  • Black Tea Infusion
  • Fair Trade Black Tea
  • Gluten-free
  • Vegan
  • Dairy-free
  • USDA Organic

Nutrition Facts (per 12 fl oz, 355ml):

  • Calories- 120
  • Total Fat- 0g
  • Total Carbs- 10g
  • Protein- 0g

Related Questions

What are the Hops plant uses?

The Hops plant is used for more than just brewing beer. It can be found as an extract, or even in pill form, at health food stores. The extracts of hop flower have been used to treat leprosy, as well as acute bacterial dysentery and pulmonary tuberculosis! A poultice of the leaf and fruit can be used to combat “cold” tumors, while a pomade can be used to treat cancerous ulcerations.

What are the Hops plant benefits?

Hops, also known as humulus lupulus, is used in a few folk medicine remedies to encourage sleep (for those that struggled with insomnia), reduce anxiety, to aid digestion as they have anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic properties, while also used as an herbal remedy to combat Crohn’s disease, IBS, and ulcers. 

What plant family is Hops a member of?

The hop plant, known as Humulus lupulus, is a member of the Cannabaceae family of flowering plants. The Cannabaceae family includes about 170 species, including Cannabis (hemp, marijuana) and Celtis (hackberries). 

How tall does the Hops plant reach?

Hops plants have attractive, dense vines that are better accustomed to temperate areas. They grow anywhere from 25-30 feet tall. Due to their incredible growth and dense vines, Hops plants are normally grown on a trellis system. 

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Kaelyn Buzzo

Kaelyn Buzzo is a certified personal trainer, nutrition coach, and a writer. She’s been vegan for over four years and has a passion for health and fitness. You can find her with her fur-babies, writing, or playing volleyball.

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