Gluten-Free Drinks

[JulieB11]

I was introduced to a new-to-me alcoholic beverage yesterday, a grapefruit radler. The bartender said it was sugar- and gluten-free and I trusted him. After I ordered a second drink, I had the good sense to look it up: it’s half beer! Usually wheat beer. BUT it gave me no symptoms—no bloating, fatigue, stool issues. Anyone else have this experience?

[Scott Adams]

While some radlers are made with gluten-free beer, many traditionally contain wheat-based beer, so it’s definitely good you double-checked. It’s surprising you didn’t have symptoms, but reactions can vary widely among celiacs. Some people are asymptomatic or have delayed reactions, while others feel effects immediately. Even if you didn’t notice symptoms, there could still be internal damage occurring, so it might be worth verifying the brand’s ingredients or contacting the manufacturer for clarity. In the future, sticking to certified gluten-free options or cider-based radlers could be a safer bet. Glad you’re feeling okay, but always better to err on the side of caution!