Guinness, can you drink it?

[Butch68]

Before being diagnosed coeliac I used to love Guinness. Being made from barley it should be something a coeliac shouldn’t drink. But taking to another coeliac and they can drink it with no ill effects and have heard of others who can drink it too. 
is this everyone’s experience? 
Can I drink it? 
I get dermatitis herpetiformis and don’t get instant reactions to gluten so can’t try it to see for myself. 

[Scott Adams]

This is a very common question, and the most important thing to know is that no, Guinness is not considered safe for individuals with coeliac disease. While it's fascinating to hear anecdotes from other coeliacs who can drink it without immediate issues, this is a risky exception rather than the rule. The core issue is that Guinness is brewed from barley, which contains gluten, and the standard brewing process does not remove the gluten protein to a level safe for coeliacs (below 20ppm). For someone like you who experiences dermatitis herpetiformis, the reaction is particularly significant. DH is triggered by gluten ingestion, even without immediate gastrointestinal symptoms. So, while you may not feel an instant stomach upset, drinking a gluten-containing beer like Guinness could very well provoke a flare-up of your skin condition days later. It would be a gamble with a potentially uncomfortable and long-lasting consequence. Fortunately, there are excellent, certified gluten-free stouts available now that can provide a safe and satisfying alternative without the risk.

[Rogol72]

Hey @Butch68,

I also have dermatitis herpetiformis but don't suffer from it anymore. I used to drink Guinness too but I drink Cider now when out on social occasions. I assume you are in Ireland or the UK.

If it's any good to you ... 9 White Deer based in Cork brew a range of gluten-free products including a gluten-free Stout. I'm not sure if they are certified though.

https://www.9whitedeer.ie/

I haven't come across any certified gluten-free stouts this side of the pond.

[Scott Adams]

This article may be helpful:

 

[Russ H]

There are several blogs where people test different beers using commercially available gluten testing kits. Guinness definitely tests positive for gluten. Something to be mindful of is that in some regions, foodstuffs containing less than 20 ppm gluten can be sold as 'gluten free'. However, due to the volume involved, a UK pint of beer at 19 ppm would contain more gluten than the generally accepted as safe daily limit of 10 mg. I have seen gluten-free beers testing at between "undetectable" and 5-10 ppm. I have also seen a report of a positive home test on Daura Damm, which is sold as gluten-free beer - the manufacturer did not respond to the tester's query.

[Scott Adams]

I could not find the thread, but I recall at least one user who was drinking regular gluten beer daily but getting celiac blood tests done often (I think it was monthly) and doing a biopsy each year and all celiac disease tests were always negative. Everyone is different, but in general regular beer would be considered low gluten (not gluten-free!). I have no issues with Daura Damm, but those who are super sensitive might.

[Rogol72]

At a family wedding in Italy last year I was drinking gluten free Peroni which was fine for me.

From the Daura Damn website ... " Our guarantee less than 3ppm: each batch is analyzed and certified by the CSIC using the R5 Competitive ELISA test before hitting the market. This way, we ensure that its gluten content is always below 3ppm "

[Scott Adams]

This is why Daura Damm can be a sponsor here--at 3ppm or less it is gluten-free, and it's doubtful that anyone with celiac disease would ever have issues with such levels. Some people may be reacting to the yeast in the beer, but I seriously doubt that such beers could trigger elevated antibodies or villi damage--the science says such levels won't trigger celiac disease issues.