Is Beer (regular) Gluten Free?
Gluten verdict for Beer (regular): Not Gluten Free
Regular beer contains gluten from barley or wheat.
Rated against the stricter of the two standards. Compare AU and US rules
Regular beer is brewed from barley (or sometimes wheat), water, hops, and yeast. Barley is a major gluten grain. Most regular beers contain gluten.
Coeliac Disease
Avoid regular beer. Buy certified gluten free beer.
Gluten Sensitivity (NCGS)
Same as coeliac guidance. Regular beer must be avoided.
Why Does Beer (regular) Contain Gluten?
Barley is one of the main gluten grains.
Australia vs United States
Australia (FSANZ)
FSANZ requires labelling. Most Australian beers are not GF.
United States (FDA)
FDA requires labelling. Most US beers are not GF.
Nutrition Information
Source: USDA FDC. Values are for the generic food in its standard form. Branded products may vary. Always check the product label for the most accurate nutrition information.
Brand Comparison
Not all brands are created equal. Here is how popular beer (regular) brands stack up for gluten content. Brand recipes change, so always confirm against the current label; the last verified date shows when we last checked.
| Brand | Region | Gluten Free? | Certification | Notes | Last verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlton Draught | AU | No | None | Contains barley and gluten | 2026-04-27 |
| VB | AU | No | None | Standard lager contains gluten | 2026-04-27 |
| Tooheys New | AU | No | None | Contains barley malt | 2026-04-27 |
| James Squire | AU | No | None | Craft brewer with regular gluten beers | 2026-04-27 |
| Bud Light | US | No | None | Standard beer with barley | 2026-04-27 |
| Corona | both | No | None | Lager contains gluten | 2026-04-27 |
| Heineken | both | No | None | Contains barley | 2026-04-27 |
What to Watch For
Barley, wheat in some beers.
Gluten Free Alternatives
If you need a gluten free substitute, consider: Gluten free beer (certified), wine, cider, gluten free spirits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Beer (regular) gluten free?
Regular beer is brewed from barley (or sometimes wheat), water, hops, and yeast. Barley is a major gluten grain. Most regular beers contain gluten.
Can coeliacs eat beer (regular)?
Avoid regular beer. Buy certified gluten free beer.
Related Foods in Alcohol
More from RefDat
Explore more reference data at refdat.com.
How We Verify This
Every food in our database is reviewed against current FSANZ and FDA gluten-free standards. Brand data is verified against manufacturer labelling. We cross-reference with Coeliac Australia ingredient lists and the USDA FoodData Central database. When Australian and US standards differ, we apply the stricter standard.
Sources
FSANZ, Coeliac Australia
Last reviewed: July 2026