First-Ever Gluten-Free Beer Festival Quenches Coeliacs’ Thirst
The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), the
key consumer group in the United Kingdom (UK) dedicated to preserving
and promoting traditional pubs, independent breweries and real
ale, sponsored the world’s first-ever international Gluten-Free
Beer Festival, held in Chesterfield this past February. Over
130 different ales from the UK and nearly 20 gluten-free and
low-gluten beers from around the world were featured.
 Two
gluten-free beers representing the United States included: Lakefront
Brewery’s New Grist (brewed from sorghum) and Ramapo Valley
Brewery’s Passover Honey Beer (which is also kosher). Both
beers were cited by the judging panel for particular qualities,
including excellence and originality in their range of flavors,
according to the judges. Other gluten-free beers sampled from around
the world included Green’s, Hambletons and Fine Ale Club
from the UK, Koff and Laitilan from Finland, Les Bières
de la Nouvelle France from Canada and O’Brien from Australia.
Unfortunately, additional beers from the Netherlands, Australia,
Italy and Austria did not clear customs in time for the festival.
More than 1,600 people attended the festival
enjoying the diverse selection of gluten-free and gluten containing
beers. The aim of the gluten-free component of the festival was
to promote awareness and provide a “good-news” story
for coeliacs (spelled celiac in North America). According to Dr.
Steve Ford, organizer of the gluten-free festival and beer lover, “This
is an example of coeliacs working together to socialize normally
and avoid isolation caused by their special dietary needs. It also
represents part of the return to a ‘normal’ life.”
Kim Koeller, president of GlutenFree Passport
and co-author of the pioneering book series Let’s Eat
Out! Your Passport to Living Gluten and Allergy Free, coordinated
the US breweries’ involvement. After traveling over 4,000
miles to help Dr, Ford run the gluten-free beer festival bar, Kim
noted “It was heart-warming to see coeliacs and their gluten
tolerant friends and family enjoying a pint of great gluten-free
beer together in the English pub tradition”.
Ford and Koeller, both coeliacs, hope the event
will return for 2007, now that CAMRA’s expertise in running
these types of events can be tapped into during the planning process.
And with the expanded availability of other gluten-free beers from
U.S.-based brewers – including Dragon’s Gold from Bard’s
Tale Beer Co. and others in development from Park Ridge Brewery,
TE Chestnuts and Schlalfly Bottleworks to name a few– there
ultimately may be a chance of similar festivals stateside.
“I think we are going to be seeing some
UK pubs lead the way in offering drafts of gluten-free beer and
ale. A festival like this is the first step toward celebrating
brews already available around the world,” notes Dr. Ford.
Adds Kim Koeller, “we’re just beginning to see some
US bars and restaurants offer gluten-free beer in bottles and will
continue to see this trend increase as continued awareness grows
with more products becoming available. We also hope that similar
events make their way to U.S. shores to quench the thirsts of celiacs “on
this side of the pond!”
www.glutenfreebeerfestival.com
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