Redbridge has one job: be a gluten-free beer that a coeliac drinker can actually find at a normal bar or grocery store, and thanks to Anheuser-Busch’s distribution network it does that better than almost anything else on this list. It launched back in 2006, brewed from sorghum rather than barley, and its presentation has barely changed since, for better and worse.
Check Availability on Saucey →Redbridge Review at a Glance
| Brewery | Anheuser-Busch, St. Louis, Missouri, USA |
| Style | Amber lager, gluten-free (sorghum-based) |
| ABV | 4.8% |
| Hops | Hallertau and Cascade |
| Launched | December 2006 |
| Base ingredients | Sorghum, hops, water, yeast |
| Gluten-free or gluten-removed | Gluten-free from the grain bill, brewed with sorghum instead of barley or wheat |
How It Tastes
Redbridge pours a rich golden amber with a head that vanishes almost as soon as it forms, a known trait of sorghum-based beers. The aroma is mild, slightly sweet and a touch metallic. On the palate it is light-bodied with a noticeable sorghum tang running through the middle, hopped just enough with Hallertau and Cascade to keep it from tasting flat. It is not a beer that wins tasting panels, but it is a genuinely drinkable, unmistakably gluten-free option.
You will not order a second Redbridge because you loved the first one. You will order it because it is the gluten-free beer on tap at a bar that has never heard of Glutenberg.
- By far the easiest gluten-free beer to find in the US, thanks to Anheuser-Busch’s distribution
- Naturally gluten-free, brewed from sorghum rather than treated barley
- Reasonably priced compared to specialty gluten-free craft beers
- Consistent, unchanged recipe since its 2006 launch, so you know exactly what you are getting
- Distinct sorghum tang that some drinkers find an acquired taste
- Head retention is poor, a known limitation of sorghum brewing
- Not much complexity or craft-beer character compared to Glutenberg or Green’s
Who It’s For
The practical, everywhere-available pick for someone with coeliac disease who wants a gluten-free option at a mainstream bar or store, rather than a craft-beer showcase.
FAQs
Is Redbridge really gluten-free?
Yes. Redbridge is brewed from sorghum instead of barley or wheat, so it contains no gluten from the grain up, unlike gluten-removed beers like Omission.
What does Redbridge taste like?
A light-bodied amber lager with a noticeable sorghum tang, mild sweetness, and just enough Hallertau and Cascade hop character to balance it out. It is distinctive rather than neutral.
Where can I buy Redbridge?
Redbridge has the widest distribution of any gluten-free beer in the US thanks to Anheuser-Busch, and it is also available for delivery through Saucey.
Why does Redbridge lose its head so fast?
Sorghum-based beers generally have weaker head retention than barley beers because sorghum lacks the same proteins that stabilize foam. It is a known trait of the style, not a flaw specific to this beer.
