Are you asking yourself if Coors Light is gluten free? Great, well I have done the research to find out that exact very question.
Despite Coors Light being the most popular light beer in America, is often confused with its rival Miller Lite. While it is true that both beers are low-calorie and made from similar ingredients, an important difference remains – whether or not they’re suitable for a gluten-free diet.
The Ingredients And Brewing Process Of Coors Light
Coors Light is brewed using five primary ingredients – water, barley malt, corn syrup, yeast, and hops. The beer starts with these ingredients hydrating the malted barley to create a sugary mash which is then boiled in hot water along with hops added! This mixture creates a wort that can be fermented later.
Brown rice is adopted during brewing as an additional ingredient to Coors Light to make it considered gluten-free.
But is Coors light really gluten free?
During the heating period of this brew mash some proteins are solubilized forming more haze when chill filtered than regular beers containing grains such as wheat or rye which contain considerable levels of insoluble gluten particles giving them a characteristic cloudy appearance.
While Coors Light does not contain large amounts of obvious gluten carrying grain like wheat or amaranth there can still be trace elements from cross-contamination from shared equipment, making it possible for those sensitive to minute portions might suffer side effects after drinking the beer even if it contains minimal amount <20 ppm.
The Gluten Content In Coors Light
Coors Light contains less than five parts per million (ppm) gluten, making it a low-gluten beer choice for individuals who are not highly sensitive to gluten. But it is not gluten free.
Results From Gluten Testing
Gluten testing results for Coors Light have clarified its actual gluten content. Here is a table summarizing the findings:
| Test Conducted | Gluten Content | Is it considered gluten-free? |
|---|---|---|
| Independent gluten testing | Less than 5 ppm | No |
| Coors Brewing Company | Less than 20 ppm | No |
What is PPM?
In case you don’t know what ppm (parts per million) means;
PPM refers to the number of gluten protein molecules in one million units of a product. To be considered gluten-free in the US, a product should contain less than 20 ppm of gluten according to the FDA guidelines.
However, some organizations and countries have stricter guidelines, recommending a threshold of less than 5 ppm or 10 ppm.
In the case of Coors Light, testing has shown a gluten content of less than five ppm, which is below the 20 ppm threshold set by the FDA.
However, due to the use of malted barley in the brewing process, Coors Light still contains gluten and is not considered to be gluten-free.
Individuals with celiac disease or gluten intolerance should avoid consuming Coors Light, as it may cause adverse reactions. Instead, they should opt for certified gluten-free beers or low-gluten beer options that have been specifically designed to cater to their dietary needs.
Gluten-Free Beer Options
- Omission Lager – Brewed by Omission Brewing, this lager is crafted to remove gluten, providing a clean, crisp, and refreshing taste.
- Glutenberg Blonde – This light and citrusy beer from Glutenberg Craft Brewery is brewed with millet, corn, and buckwheat.
- New Planet Pale Ale – New Planet Brewery offers a hoppy, gluten-free pale ale with a balanced flavor and a pleasant bitterness.
- Green’s Endeavour Dubbel Ale – Produced by Green’s Brewery, this Belgian-style dubbel ale has rich, fruity flavors with hints of caramel and spice.
- Ghostfish Brewing Company Grapefruit IPA – This American-style IPA has a bold grapefruit flavor, complemented by a solid malt backbone.
- Ground Breaker Dark Ale – A rich, dark ale from Ground Breaker Brewing, featuring flavors of roasted chestnuts and lentils with a hint of dark chocolate.
- Sufferfest Beer Company Repeat Kolsch – This light and refreshing Kolsch-style beer is brewed with bee pollen and offers a smooth, easy-drinking experience.
- Lakefront Brewery New Grist Pilsner – A crisp and refreshing pilsner-style beer brewed with sorghum and rice, perfect for a hot summer day.
- Holidaily Brewing Company Fat Randy’s IPA – This bold, hoppy IPA is brewed with millet and buckwheat, offering a balanced and satisfying gluten-free option.
- Two Brothers Prairie Path Golden Ale – Brewed by Two Brothers Brewing Company, this golden ale is crafted to remove gluten and features a light, crisp flavor profile.
FAQs About Coors Light
Can Individuals With Gluten Sensitivity Drink Coors Light?
The simple answer is no. Coors Light is not gluten-free, and the ingredient list includes barley which contains gluten, meaning individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity should avoid it.
Coors Light has been tested to contain less than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten, however this does not make it considered safe for consumption as according to FDA standards any product containing more than 20 ppm can not be labeled as “gluten free”.
Is Cross-contamination A Risk During Production?
Cross-contamination is a real risk during the production of Coors Light and other light beers as they contain wheat, barley malt, or other gluten-containing ingredients that could lead to gluten exposure in those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
The brewing process can be exposed to additional cross-contamination risks due to common sharing of facilities and storage tanks with other beer brands which could add the possibility of trace amounts.
This is why individuals with celiac disease should not consume Coors Light even if produced by a gluten-free facility.
Are There Any Other Allergens In Coors Light?
Coors Light contains four main ingredients: water, barley malt – which contains gluten and is the source of its light color and flavor – hop extract, lager yeast, and corn syrup.
While it has a lower-than-average ABV (alcohol by volume) at 4.2%, Coors Light also goes through a cold lagered process as part of its brewing process.
Aside from THC/CBD/Gluten that may be present in trace amounts leading to an allergen warning label, there are no known major allergens included in the process or added ingredients during production for Coors Light beer; however, cross-contamination is still possible due to shared equipment or processes between breweries with multiple products inside them.
