3 Reasons Omission Is Dominating The Gluten Free Beer Market

Omission is a gluten free household favorite…why?

Omission is a gluten reduced beer that is brewed by Craft Brew Alliance in Oregon. These craft beers are brewed using malted barley, hops, water, and yeast. Before the beer is finished, a gluten-eliminating enzyme is added to reduce the gluten levels in the beer to below 20ppm (parts per million), the standard set forth by the FDA for gluten free food products. So why is it that this gluten reduced beer is consumed by gluten free beer drinkers?

Editor’s Note: To be honest, my opinion about consuming gluten reduced beers as a Celiac has changed quite a bit over the past few years. So have the GF options on the market. I don’t drink gluten reduced anymore…find out why here. 

It Tastes Like “Normal Beer”

As mentioned previously, Omission beers are originally brewed with gluten ingredients. (e.g. malted barley) This means that although the gluten is later removed by the Brewers Clarex™ enzyme, the well-loved flavors of these grains are still present in the brew. This essentially allows us gluten free-ers to experience the classic taste of beer we remember so well, without any of the nasty side effects. This is assuming that your level of gluten intolerance allows for the consumption of a beer that is below 20ppm, but is not 100% gluten free. 

They Brew For A Variety Of Palates

Omission currently produces 3 different style beers including an IPA, a Pale Ale, and a Lager. Their selection is simple and elegant. No seasonal releases. No wildly experimental or fruity brews. They seem to stick to the basics, and they figure there are basically 3 types of beer drinkers: light beer drinkers, mild beer drinkers, and bold beer drinkers.

The light-brew lovers will gravitate towards the lager. (This has never been me, and never will be.) The mild-beer lovers, those who love flavor but not punch, will happily sip on the Omission Pale Ale all day long. But if you are a bold-hoppy-bitter beer lover (a.k.a. me), you know that most GF brews do not fill that giant hole in our heart where experimental IPA’s used to be. For flavor fanatics like me, Omission IPA is the only beer we will ever open. It is just hoppy enough–just bitter enough–and has just enough kick to begin to fill that void.

This variety offered by Omission is by no means the largest selection offered by a gluten reduced brewery, but they cover the spectrum without alienating consumers with over-experimentation and inconsistency.

It’s Easy To Find (At least in Oregon!)

I can’t speak for all you readers out there, but if I were to send a friend to the store to grab me a six-pack, Omission is the only brand I can rely on finding consistently, and across various grocery chains. Gluten free beer is becoming easier and easier to find these days. Major grocery stores are realizing the profit potential of gluten free drinkers, and are expanding our selection with each passing day. I hope that some day soon I will be able to walk down the beer isle and find it hard to choose between all of my favorite brews, but right now, I am happy to have at least one consistent option that doesn’t make me want to just buy a cider. ;)

Another Editor’s Note: Studies have been done the suggest that gluten reduced beers are not safe for those with Celiac Disease. If you are a Celiac, I propose that you stick to truly gluten free beers (those brewed with 100% gluten free ingredients). Those of you who choose gluten free due to a mild intolerance or lifestyle preference, may be able to drink gluten reduced beers without issue. Educate yourself about the risks, and be sure to listen to your body!

P.S. Like what I do for the gluten free beer community? Consider buying me a beer for my efforts! ;)