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About NGCI Beers
An independent directory and educational resource — not a brewery, not a beer brand. Just coeliacs helping coeliacs find beer that's actually safe.
What is this website?
NGCI Beers is a free, independent website. We are not a brewery, a beer company, or affiliated with any drinks brand. We exist to do two things: warn people with coeliac disease about the serious problem with "gluten-free" beer sold in Europe, and to showcase the breweries and venues serving beer that is genuinely safe — made from naturally gluten-free ingredients with no barley, wheat, or rye anywhere near the process.
We have no commercial relationship with any brewery or venue listed here. Every listing is verified independently.
Zero Tolerance Gluten Free Homebrew Club Wiki
The gold standard source of truth on naturally gluten-free brewing. Founded by coeliacs and NGCI brewers who refuse to accept barley-based "gluten-reduced" beer as safe, this community wiki is the most comprehensive public resource on the science, the ingredients, and the breweries doing it right. If you want to go deep on this topic, start here.
The Gluten-Free Beer Problem
In many regions including Europe, regulations allow brewers to label beer as "gluten-free" if it tests below 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten - even if it was made with barley or wheat.
These beers are made using enzymes that break down gluten proteins into smaller fragments. However, research by scientists including Dr. Laura K. Allred and Dr. Michelle Colgrave has shown that these fragments may still be harmful to people with coeliac disease.
The testing method used (R5 Competitive ELISA) was not designed for hydrolysed gluten and may not accurately detect these harmful fragments.
What makes NGCI beer different?
NGCI Beer (Safe)
Made from grains that never contained gluten:
- Sorghum
- Millet
- Rice
- Buckwheat
- Quinoa
"Gluten-Reduced" Beer
Made from gluten-containing grains:
- Barley (enzyme-treated)
- Wheat (enzyme-treated)
- Rye (enzyme-treated)
Can still be labelled "gluten-free" in Europe if it tests below 20ppm (but tests are unreliable for hydrolysed gluten)
Countries with Proper Regulations
These countries require "gluten-free" beer to be made with no gluten-containing ingredients. Barley-based beer can only be labelled "gluten-reduced."
Our Mission
NGCI Beers is a community-driven project to help coeliacs and gluten-intolerant people find truly safe beer options worldwide.
We map breweries, bars, pubs, and restaurants that serve naturally gluten-free beer - made from sorghum, millet, rice, and other safe grains. Never barley. Never wheat. Never rye.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is NGCI beer actually good?
Yes! Modern NGCI breweries have been refining their craft for decades now, particularly in North America. Many NGCI beers have won international awards.
Why can't I just drink "gluten-free" labelled beer?
In Europe, "gluten-free" labels can be misleading. The beer may be made from barley and treated with enzymes. While it tests below 20ppm, research suggests the hydrolysed gluten fragments may still cause reactions in coeliacs.
How do I know if a beer is truly NGCI?
Check the ingredients. NGCI beers are made from sorghum, millet, rice, buckwheat, quinoa or other naturally gluten-free grains. If barley, wheat, or rye is listed - even if labelled "gluten-free" - it's not NGCI.
What about ciders?
Ciders made from apples or pears are naturally gluten-free and safe for coeliacs. However, some ciders may contain barley malt for sweetness, so always check the ingredients.