May is Celiac Awareness Month in Canada – an appropriate launch to a summer season full of barbecues and beers. But the latter is a notorious no-no for those with gluten sensitivities.
There are, however, a few gluten-free beers available on LCBO and Beer Store shelves to satisfy those cravings for an ice cold brew in the summer. Of note is Barcelona’s Daura Damm which bills itself as the world’s most award-winning beer. And unlike other gluten-free beers that are brewed with alternative grains like sorghum or millet, it's made with traditional malted barley for a truer beer flavour.
In order to transform a gluten-filled brew into a safe-to-glug beverage for celiac sufferers, Daura Damm goes through an additional phase in the brewing process. Hydrolyzation breaks down gluten chains in the beer, which are then filtered out until there are fewer than three parts per million of gluten left. In comparison, Health Canada’s threshold for celiac-safe food items dictates that levels of gluten should be less than 20 parts per million.
Whether you’re a celiac sufferer or simply trying to reduce the amount of gluten you’re consuming, Daura Damm is a decent option. It’s light and drinkable with a fresh citrus flavour and aroma that makes it an ideal accompaniment for under-the-sun sipping.
$14 for six 330mL bottles; LCBO.
