Modelo is a great-tasting beer that has grown substantially in popularity over the years. Modelo is brewed in Mexico and made with orange blossom honey and herbs. Modelo, with its bold flavors, has risen to be simply a great beer. But is it gluten-free?
No, Modelo is not gluten-free. It is made with barley which contains gluten. While the beer has only 20 ppm of gluten, it should still be avoided. Thankfully, you will find many craft beers that are either gluten-free or gluten-reduced. Some of these include Redbridge Gluten-Free Lager, varieties made by Ground Breaker Brewing, Ghostfish Brewing Company, and Bierly Brewing.
Read on to find out more about Modelo and why to avoid it if you have celiacs. We will also take a look at some gluten-free beers that make great alternatives, or my favorite alternative which is gluten-free twisted tea. Let’s dig in!
Contents
Is Modelo Healthy?
No beer is really “healthy.” They are full of empty calories and can lead to weight gain.
There are lower-calorie beers on the market, but they have less alcohol than their full-calorie counterparts. With this in mind, you should only drink beer sparingly if you are watching your weight.
Why Isn’t Modelo Gluten-Free?
Modelo, a Mexican beer, is the number one imported beer in the U.S. The popular macro brew contains barley malt, which gives it commonalities with other glutenous beers. Modelo uses a type of barley known as malted barley that is different from other varieties used to brew many beers. Malted barley is a lower protein form of the grain and has been grown under specific conditions to ensure that it lacks certain proteins.
However, the beer itself still contains gluten. The levels of gluten are around 20ppm, putting it on the line set by the FDA that distinguishes if a food is gluten-free.
What is Gluten-Removed Beer?
If a brewer uses wheat, barley, or rye in their brew, they can use an enzyme called Clarex to dissolve gluten molecules. The enzyme does not eliminate the gluten from the beer; instead, it breaks down the protein molecule into smaller pieces that are too tiny to be seen in laboratory analysis. According to the brewers, it is too small for your body to detect as gluten.
Some gluten-reduced breweries argue that the proteins are changed into non-harmful amino acids and feel comfortable that their product is safe for people who suffer from gluten intolerance. However, because the FDA prohibits brewers from labeling anything “gluten-free” that includes these grains, The manufacturer can only label them, as such if they pass the same laboratory tests to demonstrate that the beer has less than 20 ppm gluten.
Should Alcohol Be Avoided if You Have Celiacs?
You have to be cautious about what you drink as a celiac. However, this does not mean that you are prohibited from drinking alcohol if you so choose. Celiacs are permitted to consume alcoholic beverages as long as they pick suitable alcohol.
Beer and ale are made primarily of barley and are therefore unsuitable for celiacs. People with celiac disease may drink wines, which are produced from grapes, without any problems. The same goes for hard ciders that are made from fermented fruit.
Hard liquor can be tricky. You should avoid any drinks that are flavored or colored. These spirits might include malt or other additives that would reintroduce the gluten protein during the distilling process.
It’s worth noting that in the United States, a manufacturer cannot claim “gluten-free” on their product if it had gluten-containing components at any time during the manufacturing process. As a result, a pure spirit may be gluten-free but does not have to bear the gluten-free label owing to this. Potato or corn vodka, rum (not the spiced or flavored kinds), and tequila are all excellent distilled spirits to choose from.
Modelo Beer Nutrition Facts and Ingredients
Modelo Especial Lager Beer
Modelo Especial is the most popular version of the famous Mexican beer. It is lower than other beers on the gluten scale with only 20ppm but should still be avoided if you have celiac or gluten intolerance.
Ingredients:
- Water
- Barley Malt
- Non-Malted Cereals
- Hops
Nutrition Facts (per 12 oz):
- 143 Calories
- 0 g Total Fat
- 0 g Saturated Fat
- 0 g Trans Fat
- 0 mg Cholesterol
- 0 mg Sodium
- 6 g Total Carbohydrates
- 0 g Dietary Fiber
- 0 g Sugars
- 1 g Protein
- 4% ABV
Modelo Negra
Modelo also makes a Munich Dunkel-style Lager made with slow-roasted dark malts giving it its darker color. It is not gluten-free and has more carbs and calories than Especial.
Ingredients:
- Water
- Barley Malt
- Non-malted Cereals
- Hops
Nutrition Facts (per 12 oz):
- 173 Calories
- 0 g Total Fat
- 0 g Saturated Fat
- 0 g Trans Fat
- 0 mg Cholesterol
- 15 mg Sodium
- 8 g Total Carbohydrates
- 0 g Dietary Fiber
- 0 g Sugars
- 1 g Protein
- 4% ABV
Modelo Chelada Especial
Modelo also makes a michelada-style beer that is made with tomato, lime, and salt. Unfortunately, it still contains gluten.
Ingredients:
- Water
- Barley Malt
- Non-malted Cereals
- Hops
- Natural and Artificial Flavors
- Artificial Sweeteners
- Certified Colors
Nutrition Facts (per 12 oz):
- 144 Calories
- 0 g Total Fat
- 0 g Saturated Fat
- 0 g Trans Fat
- 0 mg Cholesterol
- 440 mg Sodium
- 5 g Total Carbohydrates
- 0 g Dietary Fiber
- 0 g Sugars
- 1 g Protein
- 5% ABV
Gluten-Free Beer Alternatives
Redbridge Gluten-Free Lager
Redbridge, made by Anheuser-Busch, is a gluten-free beer.
Ingredients:
- Water
- Fermented Sorghum (Sorghum, Corn Syrup)
- Hops
- Yeast
Nutrition Facts (per 12 oz):
- 127 Calories
- 0 g Total Fat
- 0 g Saturated Fat
- 0 g Trans Fat
- 0 mg Cholesterol
- 9 mg Sodium
- 3 g Total Carbohydrates
- 0 g Dietary Fiber
- 0 g Sugars
- <1 g Protein
- 4 % ABV
Ground Breaker IPA NO. 5
Ground Breaker is a brewery located in Portland, Oregon, that only makes gluten-free beers.
Ingredients:
- Malted Rice
- Water
- Malted Millet
- Flaked Quinoa
- Lentils
- Cane Sugar
- Sorghum Syrup
- Rice Syrup
- Tapioca Syrup
- Belgian-Style Candi Syrup
Nutrition Facts (per 16 oz):
- 250 Calories
- 0 g Total Fat
- 0 g Saturated Fat
- 0 g Trans Fat
- 0 mg Cholesterol
- 0 mg Sodium
- 0 g Total Carbohydrates
- 0 g Dietary Fiber
- 0 g Sugars
- 0 g Protein
- 6 % ABV
Ground Breaker Dark Ale
Here is a gluten-free dark beer from Ground Breaker.
Ingredients:
- Malted Rice
- Water
- Malted Millet
- Flaked Quinoa
- Lentils
- Cane Sugar
- Sorghum Syrup
- Rice Syrup
- Tapioca Syrup
- Belgian-Style Candi Syrup
Nutrition Facts (per 16 oz):
- 190 Calories
- 0 g Total Fat
- 0 g Saturated Fat
- 0 g Trans Fat
- 0 mg Cholesterol
- 0 mg Sodium
- 0 g Total Carbohydrates
- 0 g Dietary Fiber
- 0 g Sugars
- 0 g Protein
- 5 % ABV
Ghostfish Brewing Company Grapefruit Ipa
Ghostfish Brewing Company also makes gluten-free beers.
Ingredients:
- Water
- Sorghum
- Brown Rice
- Candi Syrup
- Tapioca Maltodextrin
- Hops
- Grapefruit Puree
- Yeast
Nutrition Facts (per 12 oz):
- 179 Calories
- 0 g Total Fat
- 0 g Saturated Fat
- 0 g Trans Fat
- 0 mg Cholesterol
- 0 mg Sodium
- 19 g Total Carbohydrates
- 0 g Dietary Fiber
- 0 g Sugars
- 0 g Protein
- 5 % ABV
Ghostfish Brewing Company – Vanishing Point Pale Ale
Ingredients:
- Water
- Malted Millet
- Malted Rice
- Brown Rice
- Hops
- Yeast
Nutrition Facts (per 16 oz):
- 220 Calories
- 0 g Total Fat
- 0 g Saturated Fat
- 0 g Trans Fat
- 0 mg Cholesterol
- 0 mg Sodium
- 25 g Total Carbohydrates
- 0 g Dietary Fiber
- 0 g Sugars
- 0 g Protein
- 3 % ABV
Bierly Brewing Felix Pilsner
Here is another gluten-free craft beer. They offer many other gluten-free beers. Here is just one of them.
Ingredients:
- Sorghum
- Brown Rice
- Belgian-Style Candi Sugar
- Czech Saaz Hops
- Oregon Magnum Hops
- Yeast
- Water
Nutrition Facts (per 12 oz):
- 166 Calories
- 0 g Total Fat
- 0 g Saturated Fat
- 0 g Trans Fat
- 0 mg Cholesterol
- 0 mg Sodium
- 14 g Total Carbohydrates
- 0 g Dietary Fiber
- 0 g Sugars
- 0 g Protein
- 3 % ABV
Final Thoughts
Modelo is a great beer with a rich heritage. Unfortunately, it isn’t gluten-free, but it is lower in gluten than other popular brands with only 20ppm. If you are looking for a gluten-free beer, many options are available from craft brewers across the country.
If you are just looking for a gluten-free alcoholic beverage, red wine is the way to go.
Related Questions
Does Modelo Beer Have Sugar?
No, Modelo doesn’t use any sugar in its recipe, as some beers do.
Does Modelo Expire?
Short answer, no. Beer isn’t like milk. With age, it doesn’t actually expire or become unsafe to drink. Old beer’s taste, however, will absolutely change. But stored correctly, an old beer’s effect on your body won’t be different than a freshly packaged beer.
Is Beer Bad For Diabetics?
Moderate alcohol use (no more than one to two drinks each day) is typically safe for most people with diabetes. Avoid drinking on an empty stomach and monitor your blood sugar levels often while drinking up to 24 hours after you stop. You should also stick to light beers as they have fewer carbs.
Is Modelo Vegan?
Yes, Modelo is vegan. Modelo doesn’t use and animal-derived gelatin that some beer use.