For over 150 years, Heineken has been brewing beer in a signature green bottle with the red star. From its Dutch roots, it has exploded into one of the world’s most popular brews, having been sold in more than 170 countries. It has also been featured in seven James Bond films. Here we answer a pressing question to beer lovers with sensitivity to gluten – Is Heineken gluten-free?
Heineken is not gluten-free as it is made from barley. The gluten count in Heineken is low, but is just above the threshold given by the FDA to label anything gluten-free. The best gluten-free alternatives to Heineken include New Planet Brewery Blonde Ale, Glutenberg Gose Beer, Lakefront New Grist Gluten-Free Pilsner, and Aurochs Brewing Co. Amber Ale.
Let’s talk about Heineken varieties and nutritional information, as well as gluten-free beers that you can enjoy. If you cannot find these alternatives in your local area, I suggest exploring independent craft brewers. Let’s dig in!
Contents
Is Heineken Healthy?
About a decade ago, an executive from Heineken drew some criticism from the media and health professionals when he said his product contains fewer calories than a glass of milk, and that the ingredients were relatively healthy. One can look at this statement in a couple of ways. From a purely caloric standpoint, a bottle of Heineken indeed has fewer calories than whole milk. Also, milk has fat, while Heineken does not. However, all calories are not equal, and milk packs a much bigger nutritional punch with vitamins and minerals.
The nutritional claims of beer do have merits:
- Beer has antioxidants, making it better than many other alcoholic drinks and spirits. Due to the barley and hops, beer contains trace amounts of iron, calcium, phosphates, fiber, protein, and Vitamin B.
- Beer contains silicon, which may help strengthen bones and connective tissues.
- Hops contain a flavonoid called Xanthohumol, which may help cognitive functions and improve memory. Keep in mind that the claims assume just a few drinks.
- Beer can help protect your heart, prevent kidney stones, and even lower your “bad” cholesterol. On the other hand, alcohol interferes with your body’s ability to absorb vitamins and minerals, so it’s a delicate balance.
- Beer helps reduce stress by helping you relax. Again, there is a fine line here between an occasional beer or cocktail to help you unwind and a dependency on substances to cope.
Studies show that one or two drinks can be good for your health. That doesn’t mean you should go pick up a six-pack and add it to your diet, but if you do drink, beer is a decent choice.
Beer and Gluten
Gluten in beer comes from grains that are used in the brewing process. Barley and wheat are most often used to brew beer, and they contain gluten. Barley leaves fewer traces of gluten in the beer, and wheat leaves more. Beers that are lighter in color tend to contain less gluten.
Lagers, like Heineken, are sometimes tolerated better than other beers. Heineken’s gluten levels are just over the limits required by the FDA to be labeled gluten-free – just over 20mg/kg or just over 0.002% by volume. While this is a lower level than many beers, it still can cause problems. Each person needs to assess their own tolerance.
Heineken Varieties
Original Heineken
Ingredients:
- Water
- Barley
- Hops
- Heineken A-Yeast
Nutrition (per 100ml):
- 5% Alcohol by Volume
- 142 Calories
- 0g Fat
- 11g Carbohydrates
- 2g Protein
- Less than .01g Salt
Heineken 0.0 Non-Alcoholic Beer
The ingredients are the same as Original Heineken, adding a natural flavor. Alcohol is removed through vacuum distillation.
Ingredients:
- Water
- Barley
- Hops
- Heineken A-Yeast
- Natural Flavor
Nutrition (per 100ml):
- Less than 0.03% alcohol by volume
- 21 Calories
- 0g Fat
- 8g Carbohydrates
- .4g Protein
- Less than .01g Salt
Heineken Light
The ingredients are the same as for Original Heineken, but with fewer calories and carbohydrates in the finished product.
Ingredients:
- Water
- Barley
- Hops
- Heineken A-Yeast
Nutrition (per 100ml):
- Less than 0.03% alcohol by volume
- 42 Calories
- 0g Fat
- 2g Carbohydrates
- .4g Protein
- Less than .01g Salt
Gluten-Free Alternatives to Heineken
There are two ways to make a “gluten-free” beer. The first is for the brewer to use a grain that does not contain gluten, such as sorghum, millet, buckwheat, or rice. The second is to use some sort of process that removes the gluten and gets it down to less than 20ppm. Sometimes these beers are called gluten-reduced. Either way, the beers are produced using a traditional brewing process.
While grains can be labeled gluten-free, they can still contain gluten protein types. Some people still have reactions to gluten-free beers. Check with your medical professional, use caution, and avoid all beers if they give you trouble. Besides beer, some other alternatives are hard ciders, hard seltzers, or wines.
In our analysis, we will stick with gluten-free beers made with alternative grains.
New Planet Brewery
Based in Boulder, Colorado, this craft beer was created by a gentleman diagnosed with Celiac Disease and still wanted to enjoy his beers.
They have two gluten-free ales.
Blonde Ale
Ingredients:
- Water
- Millet
- Gluten-free Oats
- Maize (Non-GMO Blue Corn)
- Cane Sugar
- Hops
- Yeast
Nutrition (per 12 fl oz can):
- 8% Alcohol by Volume
- 15 IBU (International Bitterness Unit)
- 180 Calories
- 0g Sugar
- 25g Carbohydrates
- 10mg Sodium
- 1g Protein
Pale Ale
Ingredients:
- Water
- Millet
- Gluten-free Oats
- Maize (Non-GMO Blue Corn)
- Cane Sugar
- Hops
- Yeast
Nutrition (per 12 fl oz can):
- 0% Alcohol by Volume
- 33 IBU (International Bitterness Unit)
- 210 Calories
- 3g Sugar
- 26g Carbohydrates
- 10mg Sodium
- 1g Protein
Glutenberg Beers
Out of Canada, all of their beers are brewed from 100% gluten-free ingredients. They also do not allow any gluten-containing ingredients into the brewery to eliminate chances of cross-contamination. All of their beers are vegan and allergen-free.
Varieties:
- Session IPA
- Gose (a sour, unfiltered beer)
- Blonde
- Double IPA
- India Pale Ale (IPA)
- Red (this one has molasses, chestnut, and candi syrup)
- White
- Stout
Gose
Ingredients:
- Water
- Millet
- Buckwheat
- Quinoa
- Lime
- Lemon
- Grapefruit
- Sea Salt
- Hops
- Yeast
Nutrition (per 12 fl oz):
- 5% alcohol by volume
- 7 IBU
IPA
Ingredients:
- Water
- Millet
- Buckwheat
- Corn
- Black Rice
- Corn Maltodextrin
- Hops
- Yeast
Nutrition (per 12 fl oz):
- 6% alcohol by volume
- 76 IBU
Stout
Ingredients:
- Water
- Millet
- Corn
- Candi Syrup
- Hops
- Cocoa Nibs
- Coffee
- Yeast
Nutrition (per 12 fl oz can):
- 5% alcohol by volume
- 40 IBU
Lakefront Brewery
New Grist Gluten-Free Pilsner
This was the first gluten-beer in the United States allowed to place gluten-free on their label.
Ingredients:
- Rice Extract
- Sorghum
- Hops – Zeus and Willamette
- Water
- Gluten-free Yeast
Nutrition (per 12 oz bottle):
- 4.6% alcohol by volume
- 15 IBU
- 190 Calories
- 0g Fat
- 125mg Sodium
- 23g Carbohydrates
- 0g Protein
- 45mg Calcium
- 170mg Potassium
Aurochs Brewing Co.
This is another brewery that is 100% gluten-free. It is located outside of Pittsburgh, PA, and was started by two friends who are both gluten-intolerant (one with celiac disease) who wanted to enjoy their beers. They create gluten-free beers using gluten-free ingredients in a dedicated gluten-free facility. They are limited to several states in the Midwest and Eastern United States, but with over 40 beers created since inception, I’d look for them to expand.
Varieties:
- Blonde Ale
- Session IPA
- Amber Ale
- Porter
- Hazy IPA
- Light Lager
- Pumpkin Ale
Amber Ale
Ingredients:
- Millet
- Quinoa
- Hops
- Yeast
Nutrition (per 12 fl oz can):
- 5% alcohol by volume
- 27 IBU
- 152 Calories
- 14g Carbohydrates
- .9g Protein
Porter
Ingredients:
- Millet
- Quinoa
- Buckwheat
- Hops
- Yeast
Nutrition (per 12 fl oz can):
- 6% alcohol by volume
- 41 IBU
- 153 Calories
- 9g Carbohydrates
- 4g Protein
Pumpkin Ale
Ingredients:
- Millet
- Quinoa
- Buckwheat
- Pumpkin
- Molasses
- Honey
- Spices
- Hops
- Yeast
Nutrition (per 12 fl oz can):
- 3% alcohol by volume
- 11 IBU
- 151 Calories
- 6g Carbohydrates
- .9g Protein
Ground-Breaker Brewing
Based in Portland, Oregon, this brewery/pub serves 100% gluten-free beer and gluten-free foods. They are certified gluten-free by the Gluten-Free Certification Organization. They use oats and corn that are non-GMO. All beers are also vegan. These are their year-round varieties; they also produce seasonal beers.
Varieties:
- Inclusion Pale Ale
- Dark Ale
- IPA No. 5
- Olallie Ale
Dark Ale
Ingredients:
- Oats/Corn
- Roasted Chestnuts
- Lentils
- Dark Belgian style Candi
Nutrition (per 12 fl oz):
- 5% alcohol by volume
- 35 IBU
Olallie Ale
Ingredients:
- Oats/Corn
- Blackberries
- Rose Hips
- Crystal Hops
Nutrition (per 12 fl oz):
- 5% alcohol by volume
- 30 IBU
Steadfast Beer Co.
Yet another entirely gluten-free brewery that uses gluten-free ingredients and they ensure zero risk of cross-contamination in their processing and storage facilities.
Varieties:
- Oatmeal Stout
- IPA
- Blonde Ale
- Pale Ale
Oatmeal Stout
Ingredients:
- Sorghum
- Rice
- Honey
- Molasses
- Oats
Nutrition:
- 6% alcohol by volume
- 210 Calories
Anheuser-Busch Redbridge Lager
Bud Light’s parent company has created a gluten-free beer. It is not manufactured in a dedicated gluten-free facility, so contaminants might be present.
Ingredients:
- Water
- Fermented Sorghum
- Sorghum
- Corn Syrup
- Hops
- Yeast
Nutrition (per 12 fl oz):
- 8% Alcohol by Volume
- 130 Calories
- 0g Fat
- 50mg Sodium
- 12g Carbohydrates (1g Sugar)
- 0g Protein
Holidaily Brewery
Another completely gluten-free brewery in Colorado started by a lady who survived cancer and needed to adopt a gluten-free lifestyle for health reasons. The ingredients are gluten-free, and the brewery is as well, so no cross-contamination. They currently distribute to six states.
Varieties:
- Favorite Blonde Ale
- Fat Randy’s IPA
- Big Henry Hazy IPA
- Riva Stout
- Patchy Waters
- Beulah Red Ale
- Buckwit Belgium Witobier
- Adventure Series (constantly changing)
Buckwit Belgian Witobier
Ingredients:
- Millet
- Buckwheat
- Hops – Mandarina Bavaria and Willamette
- Flavors of coriander and orange peel
Nutrition:
- 8% alcohol by volume
- 15 IBU
- 142 Calories
- 3g Carbohydrates
Related Questions
Does Heineken contain GMO Products?
No, Heineken states that they use only non-GMO raw materials.
What are Gluten-removed or Gluten-reduced Beers?
These are beers produced with wheat, barley, or rye. An enzyme is then added during fermentation that acts as a filtration agent to remove some of the gluten from the final product. Gluten levels must drop below the 20 parts per million limits, the threshold required by the FDA. Since gluten was in an original ingredient (usually barley or wheat), they cannot be labeled gluten-free, and there will still be trace gluten in the beer.
Is Beer Keto-Friendly?
Even gluten-free beer contains just calories and carbohydrates. Keto diets recommend food and drink higher in fat and lower in carbohydrates. Beers contain no fat and all carbs, and thus they are generally avoided on a keto diet. That being said, there are light ales that have 4-5 net carbs, so those can be enjoyed on occasion. Heineken Light would be the best beer mentioned here.