For The (former) Beer Drinkers Among Us...

[steve-o]

You have probably heard by now about Bards Tale beer... a special gluten-free beer, which according to the reviews, actually tastes really good. If you haven't heard of it, here's their website:

Open Original Shared Link

Unfortunately for me (and possibly many of you) Bards Tale is only available in a few select states. I live in Texas where it's not available, so I recently emailed the folks at Bards Beer, to ask how I can get my hands on some.

They told me about a company in Illinois called Internet Wines, which sells the stuff on their website, and will ship it to most (but not all) states. So I just wanted to share the info with all of you who have missed the great taste of a cold beer.

Their webpage is here:

www.internetwines.com/rws31724.html

The only downside, is that you may need to take out a second mortgage in order to afford the stuff. It's about $12 a six pack...and thats not even the bad part. Shipping is almost $15!

I guess it's all about supply and demand!

Anyhow...has anybody actually tasted this stuff? If so, what did you think? I'm a little reluctant to order it until hearing some testimonials about how good it is.

Thanks!

[celiac3270]

I'm too young to give you a personal opinion, lol, but my dad tried it (even though he isn't celiac) and he said it tastes just like regular beer. My mom, a teetotaler who just took a sip of this one, agreed.

I've heard that it's very good on other boards--and Ramapo Valley, it's competiter, doesn't get nearly as good reviews.

[sdore]

Thank you so much for this information. The one beverage that I miss is beer. I really don't even drink anymore because I cannot stand rum and tequila.

I looked at the internet and I am so excited because I live in Indiana and there is a store right down the road from me that sells it!!!!!

thanks!

[jenvan]

hey sdore--you live in Indiana? I live in Indiana !! Can I ask where? I am in Indy.

On Bard's--I am a slacker! I posted like 10 days ago that I bought some and was going to try it that night, but.... I haven't yet--been having abdominal pain and thought I should hold off. But...I think tonight might really really be the night. I'll let you all know as soon as I taste it !

[Carriefaith]

I've never tried that beer (I don't like the taste of beer) but one of my cookbooks has a recipe for gluten free beer if anyone is interested. I don't have it with me right now, but I can post it later if there is interest.

[sdore]

I live in Porter Indiana which is close to Valparaiso Indiana if you are familar with Valparaiso University. Porter is on the Lake about 35-40 minutes away from Chicago. Do you know where this is?

I hope it does taste good, I like to have a beer every once and awhile.

Stephanie

[jenvan]

Carrie- Huh, I'd be curious to see that recipe. I have some friends who are "home brewers".

Stephanie- Yeah, I definitely know where Valpo is! Did you go there for school? I went to DePauw...

[sdore]

No I went to IU.

I love indy. I was there earlier in the year for a convention. I will miss some of the wonderful restaurants it has to offer!

[jenvan]

Stephanie-

That's cool...I had lots of friends at IU. Ever hang out in Broadripple? That's where I live...

[nobeer4me]

I found a place in Ohio that has Bards. I'll have to drive over to get it.

I'm in PA. Looking forward to it!

[Carriefaith]

Here is the recipe I have for home made gluten free beer. I've never made it, it's just a recipe I found in one of my cookbooks. Good luck to those who try!

Gluten Free Beer

3 - 21 oz cans/jars of gluten-free rice syrup

2 oz hops (use whatever kind you like with AA percent of 4-7

6 cups corn syrup (approx. 2lbs)

1 pkg dry gluten-free ale yeast

1 pint molasses

Bring 1 1/12 gallons of water to boil. Add all ingredients except 1 oz of hops. Boil for 60 minutes. Add 1/2 hops (for hop flavour) 45 minutes into the boil. Add 1/2 of hops (for aroma( during the the last 2 minutes of the boil. Cool and add to cold water in primary to make 5 gallons. Pitch yeast when 80 degrees F or below. Ferment for 7-10 days and bottle using 3/4 cup of priming sugar.

NOTE: Not sure of exact hop additions. If it comes out too sweet, add more hops for 60 minutes; too bitter, add less.

[sdore]

I have never been there.

[stef-the-kicking-cuty]

I found a place in Ohio that has Bards. I'll have to drive over to get it.

I'm in PA. Looking forward to it!

This is great. I live in PA, too. Where is this place in Ohio?

[kerrera]

I've had Bard's and it tastes like an IPA. It's really hoppy. I'm more into porters, reds, stouts, and hefeweizens so I didn't love it. But, it's beer! YEA!!!! If you're into IPA's, you'll love it. I need to try the Rampao next.

Enjoy!

[lovegrov]

For the person who said they don't drink any more because they don't like rum or tequila __ virtually all distilled alcohols are gluten-free. Even if they're started with wheat or barley. Vodka, bourbon, gin and on and on are pretty much all gluten-free.

richard

[frenchiemama]

My husband's co-irker's son is starting his own microbrewery within the next year. I talked to him, and he said that he will try to brew some gluten-free beer for me! If it turns out well he intends to sell it from his brewery, which will be in Wisconsin (because how am I supposed to live in WI without beer?)

[VegasCeliacBuckeye]

I just had Bards Dragon Gold for the first time this past weekend.

It is a bit hoppy, I thought it was similar to Fat Tire.......in any event it is beer.

The Ohio locations to buy it are listed on their website.

www.bardsbeer.com

enjoy

[moving on]

I really enjoy the hopsy taste of Bard's Tale and will soon travel to NC to purchase the 3rd and 4th case!

[sdore]

I thought only vodka made from potatoe was ok?

[jenvan]

So I FINALLY drank some of that Bard's Tale I bought a month ago ! Now, I'm not a beer expert (more of a hard-alcohol type of person), but it tastes pretty good to me, like a beer Maybe a little on the bitter side ?

[lovegrov]

All distilled alcohols are gluten-free as long as there's no gluten added after the distilling. This is true even if wheat, rye or barley is used.

richard

[akua123]

I so wish I could get my hands on some gluten-free beer - but I live in Michigan and you can't ship it here, and I've never seen any around. Oh well, maybe some day. . .

[Melody]

I have tried both the Ramapo Valley and the Bards Tale beer. I like the Bards Tale the best. It has a more bitter taste, while the Ramapo is quite sweet. To me, the Bards tastes more like regular beer...at least from what I remember it tasting like

I too live in Indiana! I'm from Indianapolis and Broadripple isn't far from me. But I go to school in Pennsylvania which makes it hard to get the beer from NY unless I have a friend get it for me.

[jenvan]

Melody-that's cool you're in Indy! Next time you're home for a break, you could pick up some bard's to take back with you. Wild oats carries it. There's one in Nora and one in Carmel/Westfield now too

[killernj13]

I am drinking a gluten free Bard's Tale Beer Dragon's Gold as I type this and couldn't be happier. It is stronger that I was used to. (I was a Bud man in my pre-celiac days.) But its good to have a beer again. I picked it up in a Whole Foods in Manhattan. A little expensive but isn't all the stuff we have to buy.