I Miss My Beer!

[FranDaMan]

I'm new to all of this so a tiny bit of background first...and soooo many questions.

I broke out in the classic rash in mid-December (both elbows, both "sweet cheeks" and both knees). Thanks to the web I figured out the WHAT of what did I have and did go to my doc mostly for the HOW. As in HOW do I stop it? While there he took his pound of flesh and a few days later I was prescribed the Dapsone. The rash is nearly gone and I have a follow up in a week or so. Oh, I'm a 55 yr old male and more than a bit confused as to how in the world does something like this just show up so late in life?

Anyway, I'm doing my best to go totally gluten-free and after lurking on this site the past few weeks decided I better get signed up and ask some questions. So here goes.

1) Since I have DH does it mean I am Celiac or "just" gluten intolerant? I realize I need to stay as gluten-free as possible either way but I'm concerned about the internal damage. I don't have many symptoms compared to what I've been reading so maybe ugly elbows was an early wake up call?

2) Since I'm already going the gluten-free route do I need to get the biopsy to check my innards and if so do I need to get back on gluten for the proper test result?

3) Since I'm so new to this I can't really tell if I'm getting cross contaminated or not since I don't have seem to have the bowel problems or cramps or anything. I'm guessing that once I've been clean for a while I'll have a stronger reaction in the future.

4) My wife and I spent two weeks in Germany in September (we're not well off...our trip of a lifetime) and ate well and drank many liters of flavorful beer. I don't seem to have had any issues at that time but I did have a chronic sinus issue and was on an antibiotic at the beginning of the trip. It never cleared up entirely and I did another dose of a different medicine after we returned. Again, it never cleared up. Could this have been the stress point that pushed me over the edge? Or is the sinus problem actually an indicator?

5) I'm not a heavy drinker (I learned years ago they can brew it faster than I can drink it) but really enjoy the full malty flavors of craft beers. I can get over the loss of breads and such but beer? Say it ain't so! I bought the sorghum beer from Busch but have not yet tasted it for fear of it actually hiding bad stuff. Anyone have any experience with alternative beers? Just when I was becoming a beer snob I guess I'll now have to become a wine snob.

Well, thanks for reading and thanks for any input.

[Guhlia]

Red Bridge is really good. It took me about a six pack to get used to the flavor, but now I drink that exclusively. All the other gluten free beers taste weird to me now. My husband and friends all drink Red Bridge as well when they are at our house and only one person has disliked it (he had just finished a "regular" beer and then had a piece of gum... eek...) Anyway, just make sure you don't make your judgement before trying it on a few occasions. It's the cheapest gluten free beer available. Also, if you really can't stand it, don't forget there are several other gluten free beers out there. Rum and coke also makes a good beer alternative.

[ang1e0251]

1) Since I have DH does it mean I am Celiac or "just" gluten intolerant? I realize I need to stay as gluten-free as possible either way but I'm concerned about the internal damage. I don't have many symptoms compared to what I've been reading so maybe ugly elbows was an early wake up call?

As I understand it, positive DH biopsy results are conclusive to celiac disease. Anyone out there with more info?

2) Since I'm already going the gluten-free route do I need to get the biopsy to check my innards and if so do I need to get back on gluten for the proper test result?

If you and your dr opt for a biopsy, yes, you will have to eat gluten for that.

3) Since I'm so new to this I can't really tell if I'm getting cross contaminated or not since I don't have seem to have the bowel problems or cramps or anything. I'm guessing that once I've been clean for a while I'll have a stronger reaction in the future.

That could be. I react pretty strongly now to tiny amounts. Each person is different.

4) My wife and I spent two weeks in Germany in September (we're not well off...our trip of a lifetime) and ate well and drank many liters of flavorful beer. I don't seem to have had any issues at that time but I did have a chronic sinus issue and was on an antibiotic at the beginning of the trip. It never cleared up entirely and I did another dose of a different medicine after we returned. Again, it never cleared up. Could this have been the stress point that pushed me over the edge? Or is the sinus problem actually an indicator?

Can't say if this was your stress point but I can tell you that one of my symptoms was congestion that worsened over time till I was taking meds for it every day.

5) I'm not a heavy drinker (I learned years ago they can brew it faster than I can drink it) but really enjoy the full malty flavors of craft beers. I can get over the loss of breads and such but beer? Say it ain't so! I bought the sorghum beer from Busch but have not yet tasted it for fear of it actually hiding bad stuff. Anyone have any experience with alternative beers? Just when I was becoming a beer snob I guess I'll now have to become a wine snob.

I'm not a drinker so I can't help you there but lots of posters seem to like Redbrodge so happy snobbery!!!

[rinne]

Messenger Beer is very good.

Hi and welcome.

[angieInCA]

My Doctor told me that my DH diagnosis meant I had celiac disease even though all my blood tests were negative or very low. I opted not to have a biopsy, I know that after being gluten-free for several months I can reverse the damage to my intestinss. I have had other tests to check for complications due to unchecked celiac disease for 47 years and speaking of which I will be having a colonoscopy next Thursday. Over the past 2 months I have been having a slew of tests to see what the status of my body and health is but I opted to stop testing for the one thing I already knew I had.

I really like Red Bridge.

Now to tell you the truth I never really liked American "Clear" Beer. All tasted like &*$$ water to me. I was a Guinness Drinker, the darker and heartier the beer the happier I was.

My last birthday before my diagnosis My Husband got me a Beautiful Crystal Goblet engraved with Guinness on one side and my name on the other. I now pour my Redbridge in it

I really don't drink that much beer but I really enjoy my red wines

[FranDaMan]

Thanks to all! I have the Redbridge but haven't yet tasted it. I guess I'll have to try it soon. Red wine sounds good and I live near the Finger Lakes in NY and they are well known for some great wines so maybe a tour is in my future.

I was especially concerned with the positive biopsy on the DH as to what it actually meant. Assuming it means I have "it" I'm more than willing to just throw away the gluten and get cracking on the alternatives. I must say it is a lot more expensive but whole foods like fruit, veg and meat isn't any more $ obviously. It's when I want a piece of bread or something as a snack that it gets pricey. My wife has been in a bit of denial about this as it seemed to just pop in out of the blue but since our kids are all gone it will be easy enough to just convert the two of us and move on. When they visit they'll just have to cope!

My follow up with my doc is 10 days away so I guess we'll discuss options then. He was real excited when I showed him my elbows and described the other rash areas. He literally ran from the room and was back in a flash with a big medical book opened to a page on DH and Gluten allergy! He'd already made two photocopies for me. Either he'd seen it before or was at least aware of it so I'm a bit encouraged (for now) going forward.

[julirama723]

I guess I'll break the trend and cast my vote about Redbridge--I don't think it's that great. It's not bad-tasting necessarily; I just wouldn't seek it out as a beverage of choice. My view is skewed, as I'm a microbrew fan, the darker the better! Redbridge just makes me think of some bland domestic beer.

If you want a fabulous gluten-free beer, try Green's. Green's is out of Belgium, and not only is it gluten-free, it's also organic, and free of many other allergens. It's a bit pricey (about $5/bottle) so I save it for special occasions. My favorite is the Dubbel Dark. I've also heard a lot of great things about Bard's Tale Beer though I've not been able to find it yet.

Generally, if I'm going to have a drink, I'll have wine. I'm not very fancy about my wines, I usually buy $10 bottles. Here in MT we have a vineyard called Ten Spoon that makes FANTASTIC organic and local wines, and they're gluten-free. Tapena wines are gluten-free as well, as are Big House wines. (I've contacted all 3 wineries.)

Winter is a perfect time to try mulled wine--simmer wine with a bit of water, honey, orange slices, lemon slices, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and a nutmeg.

Good liqour is also gluten-free. I have problems with vodkas (unless they're potato-based) and whiskies/bourbons/scotches even though they ARE gluten-free--most people don't have issue with them. So, I drink spiced rum or 100% agave tequila mixed with fruit juice.

In the summer, you can make a killer margarita with no additives by mixing the tequila of your choice (go for patron!), cointreau, and fresh lime juice. (I'm a huge fan of blended drinks, I love the ice, makes me feel like I'm drinking a grown-up slushee.) Also, blend fresh fruit, rum, and a good liquer (cointreau usually) for daquiris.

[WW340]

I am no connoisseur of beer, but I do enjoy drinking it. My favorite is New Grist, but I find Redbridge acceptable when I just want a beer and can't find New Grist. I keep both in the frige. I tried the Bards Tale Ale, but did not care for it. It is pretty strong on flavor, others may like that.

It took a little getting used to the gluten free beer, but I now can enjoy it. Others have grabbed a bottle of my beer without knowing it was gluten free, and I have never had anyone say OMG this is terrible, lol, maybe they were just polite.

I cannot tolerate regular Vodka, I have to have the potato vodka. I don't drink other forms of alcohol other than wine.

[tom]

I was gonna suggest the Belgian gluten-free Green's too.

Pricey and hard to find, but all 3 are indistinguishable from (or better than?) the best gluteny pub brews in each category. :)

(That is NOT an overstatement - it seemed nearly miraculous that gluten-free beer had that much depth)

I *do* like Redbridge tho, and it's far easier to find.

If I were working full-time, I might splurge on Green's ALL the time!

[Maura]

Hi there!

I too used to be a beer drinker and have been on a quest for a great gluten free beer for some time now. The best tasting beer I have found is Green's Quest. It is imported from Belgium and pretty expensive. My beer distributor could only order a case at a time and it was priced over $100 per case. My sainted loving husband bought me a case and I treat every bottle like it was gold! It comes in 16 oz bottles and the alchol content is 8.4% so just one bottle actually does the trick. I save it for very special occasions.

I have tried Redbridge as well. It is OK but not great. The sourgum beers have a unique taste which takes some getting used to. However, if you're going out it is very difficult to find a gluten free beer in a bar or restaurant.

I suggest trying cider. I have found that many places in my area have Woodchuck or Strongbow cider on tap or available in bottles. Both are good and are about as strong as a beer. Woodchuck is sweet and Strongbow is dry. I like Strongbow the best. Both are easily available to buy and cost about the same as a case of beer.

Bottoms up ... enjoy.

[LuvMoosic4life]

just thought I'd add i dont care for redbridge, but if I was in a bar that had it I MAY get it. I am desperate to try GREENS beer. They sell it at some Wegmans in 3 differant flavors for $5 a bottle...

my fav wine is cabernet. Also The Lakewood vinyards Wine "Long Stem Red" from the finger lakes is a really good red wine for $8 a bottle I live in Ny also.

[Tallforagirl]

1) Since I have DH does it mean I am Celiac or "just" gluten intolerant? I realize I need to stay as gluten-free as possible either way but I'm concerned about the internal damage. I don't have many symptoms compared to what I've been reading so maybe ugly elbows was an early wake up call?

2) Since I'm already going the gluten-free route do I need to get the biopsy to check my innards and if so do I need to get back on gluten for the proper test result?

I can confirm that if you have DH confirmed by skin biopsy, then you don't need a small-intestinal biopsy to confirm that you have celiac disease. You definitely have it. The DH is one way that celiac disease manifests itself, but as with most symptoms of celiac disease, it's not present in all of us. You just got lucky

I've had a couple of different gluten-free beers available here in Aus, and can report they are not bad at all. Different flavour from normal beer, but very drinkable.

It being summer here, a nice cold cider also hits the spot.

[bakingbarb]

Redbridge is ok, not great but put a slice of citrus in it and its much better!

I have had a couple other brands and I apologize I don't remember all the brands. The really expensive ones are not worth the money-Nick Stafford beer is way to sweet and it was over $8.00!

I found one brand in 3 varieties in I think a 16 oz bottle, anyways they were about $3.99 and pretty good drinking, ah it was Green's. I will go out of my way to find them again.

That said try brewing your own! We do and we "malt" our amaranth and use it for flavor and color. Plus I miss the hoppy PNW beers so this way I can hop it up!

It ends up being cheaper in the long run.

Here is a link that goes over the gluten free beers.

Open Original Shared Link

[mslee]

I have really been enjoying ciders! never thought I would but have found some favorites to be:

Ace apple (tart apple cider flavor) or pear (light & pear-y), or Strongbow (dry & crisp.) And although Wyders is good their website states although the cider is gluten free they cannot guarantee there will be no cross contamination within the factory so I don't buy that one anymore.

Will have to try Greens, I tried some sorghum beer...couldn't get more than one gulp down.

[FranDaMan]

Well! I thank you all for your replies. I'm in the Rochester, NY area (the home of Wegmans) so I'll poke about in their beer section. There is also Beers of the World. I'm hoping to get there this week and poke about a bit.

I've been on the Dapsone a few weeks and the rash is nearly gone so I'm a bit more pleasant to those around me than I was just prior to Christmas. While I really am doing everything I can to stay clean my wife is still thinking that I overdosed on gluten or something and that this will just clear up and if I do things in moderation it will be fine. I've read far more posts and other sites than her to buy into that. I figured if I got to the point of breaking out then I had it, needed to deal with it, and just accept it.

It will take time to completely clean out the pantry and get started baking bread and stuff but the junk I've been buying is just horrible for the most part. At least the breads have been. Some cookies were pretty decent but the $ difference is staggering.

While I'm at Beers of the World I'll take a look at getting into my own brewing. That might be a nice hobby to get hooked up with! Yea, that's the ticket!