Who says Monday night dinners are boring? Not I says the girl who just made the most delicious veggie turkey burgers – EVER! Oh, and did I mention the gluten free beer. So here is an excellent example of living and eating without sacrifice, without regret, without leaving anything behind (ahem, except a bloated gut).
Okay so about the beer. My local Coop has a nice selection of gluten free beers. Thought it would be fun to pick some up. My preference has always been dark beer, the darker the better. Guinness is my favorite. Particular is the word to describe my preference: when it comes to beer, I turn down the light variety faster than a poor college kid can down a warm can of Natural Ice (ouch, bringing back some memories here). But alas that delicious Guinness does not love me. I don’t know if it’s the Crohn’s Disease or just age, but a bottle of Guinness can tare me up pretty quick. I’ve had about 5 glasses in the last 6 years. No can do in the Guinness department, but I was determined to enjoy a glass of beer with burger night.
Let me share my husband’s response to the gluten free beer. Keep in mind that he does not discriminate when it comes to beer. He likes imports, but he will drink Coors light just the same (gag).
Okay, he said, “Wow, this beer is really good, I like it. It has a caramel taste to it. It reminds me of a Pacifico. Yeah, good stuff. You can’t tell it’s not a wheat beer. The carbonation is a little different. Overall I like it, it goes down smooth, it’s great {and I love this part} I feel way less bloated!”
My response to his critique, “I didn’t know you experienced bloat from beer?!” Learned something new tonight about the man I’ve loved for nearly 13 years – he gets bloated too (I am apparently way too boisterous about my bloat).
Back to the review. I noticed something different about this beer right off the bat: I didn’t hiccup when I took a drink. Regular beer never failed to induce an instant hiccup at first sip; and overall I despise carbonation for this gas factor and also because it’s weird (hence my love of Guinness). So no hiccup and no nasty light beer after taste. Come to think of it, no remarkable after taste at all. Like Scott said, it’s very smooth. It’s light of course, but flavorful. I experienced zero bloat. It was a strange sensation at first. I’m so used to immediately unbuttoning my pants shortly after that first sip.
I like it, I will buy it again, I will bring it to parties (if we ever get to one) and I will trick my friends and lay the gluten free factor down like “What, gluten free is awesome and fun.”
CHEERS!
Grist is yummy! It’s like a gluten free wheat beer, crisp and hoppy! Green’s is also really awesome too. It’s very Eurotrash and high in alcohol. You can get it at Wegman’s. One six-dollar bottle knocks me on my ass!
Btw – about the Chron’s – do you read Telpner’s blog? Making love in the kitchen. She’s a hero. She’s got Chron’s too.
<3
Hi There Farty Girl~
Thanks for the gluten free beer heads up! I’m pretty excited about it. Amazing how different it makes me feel (better different).
I have not heart about Telpner? Someone else with Crohn’s!!?? I’m not alone! I am going to check out that blog right now.
Thanks!
Be Well,
–Amber
I am always on the lookout for gluten free beer. My husband has resorted to Redbridge far too often after a long day at work. This brand looks awesome-a new flavor we both need!