Review #3: Bard's Gold Original Sorghum Malt Beer

I'll admit; I was a bit hesitant to try this beer. It's got quite a few horrible reviews on Beer Advocate. Most gluten-free beers I've seen there do, though. But when someone says,

"When your beer is so bad that it causes you to cough and gag because of the flavor, you know something's wrong."

Or,

"This by far is the worst tasting beer we ever had. We both couldn't spit it out quick enough."

 ...I'm bound to be a little scared. However, I think these two were being a bit dramatic.

Bard's Gold is made by Bard's Tale Beer Company, and claims to be the original sorghum beer. It's a American lager that sits at 4.6% ABV, though I had to go to their website to find the latter - it's not printed on the label. I poured the Bard's into a conical pint glass. It had a small white head that disappeared shortly after pouring. Clear amber color with lots of carbonation.

It has a slightly sweet, earthy smell, with a bit of, well... that ocean smell.The taste is watery and hard to find past all the bubbles. I'm getting bitterness, with a definite bitter aftertaste, and a little bit of saltiness. There's also kind of a toasty grain flavor in there.

Overall, this beer is okay. Kind of boring. Nothing I'd throw away, but not anything I'd buy again either.

Review #2: Crispin The Saint Hard Apple Cider

The Saint is made by Crispin Hard Cider Company. It is from their Artisanal Reserve line, and boasts the addition of Belgian trappist yeast and organic maple syrup. I'll admit, I've had this cider a handful of times in the past, and it's one of my favorites. Today, I bought one specifically so that I could write a review for my readers. :)

The Saint comes in a 22oz bottle sitting at a hefty 6.9% ABV. It is made from unfiltered and fermented apple juice, which is what gives it the cloudy appearance you see in the photo above. The cider has a deep golden yellow color and is moderately carbonated with no head. It has a subtle yeasty smell right after opening that goes away after sitting a bit. 

The Saint has a complex flavor that is well-balanced and unfussy. It is a bit winey at the start, finishing with a fresh apple flavor. It is crisp on the palate with a bit of a tang. My only complaint is that I can't really taste or smell the maple syrup in it.

This cider is not too sweet, something I definitely appreciate. The Saint is easy to drink, delicious from beginning to end, and packs a little punch with its higher alcohol content. Overall, this cider is a win in my book.

Review #1: Redbridge Gluten-Free Sorghum Beer

For my first review, I decided to start with one of the most easily-found gluten-free beers: Redbridge.

Redbridge is made by Anheuser-Busch, the same company that makes Budweiser, Michelob, Shock Top, Busch, and other well-known brands. It is marketed as a "full-bodied lager" or as Beer Advocate says, an "American Amber/ Red Lager." I'm more inclined to call it a lager, because this beer would be pretty weak as an amber. Redbridge sits at 4% ABV.

I had avoided trying Redbridge again after a bad experience at a local burger joint. I ordered a Redbridge and I think it may have gone off. Maybe it spent too much time in a warm part of the kitchen. Maybe it spent too much time in the sunlight, or was just old. Either way, it was very bitter, almost metallic. I hated it. However, after hearing a gluten-free friend say it was her favorite, I thought it was worth another try.

I poured the bottle into this conical pint glass. It has a deep honey color with a big foamy white head that dissipated quickly after pouring. My first impression: "not bad." The beer has some fruity notes and a bit of a toasty flavor. I can definitely taste the sorghum in it, which for some people is off-putting. It's an acquired taste, I think. Redbridge is light on the palate--  moderately carbonated, but easy to drink, and refreshing.

The verdict: I liked this beer. It's nothing special. That is, it doesn't seem that different from most of Anheuser-Busch's offerings. However, it's an easily-found, moderately-priced gluten-free beer that is pretty tasty and definitely enjoyable.

About Me (or, Why Gluten-Free Brews?)

Hi, I'm Hilary. I'm a student living in Washington state and I've been following a gluten-free diet since February 2012.

After years of feeling sick and tired, dealing with fatigue, gastric issues, skin issues, and headaches all the time with no apparent cause, I stumbled across an article online that hinted that gluten could be the cause of my health problems. I thought, "what have I got to lose?" and I immediately switched over to a gluten-free diet. I felt a great difference to my health within the first month. Since then, I've done some experimenting with foods and my diet. My body's reaction to wheat and gluten is unpleasant to say the least, so I prefer to live without it. I've been tested for Celiac disease, but since I was not eating wheat at the time, my results came up negative. Eating gluten-free is a little tougher, but the difference I feel daily makes it worth it for me.

Before I went gluten-free, I enjoyed sampling new beers and learning to enjoy the different flavors I found. Realizing I couldn't have beer anymore was a real downer! I tried a couple gluten free beers but was unimpressed with most, and forgot about drinking beer for a while.

However, after finding an great little beer store in my town with an awesome selection of gluten-free beer and cider, I thought I'd give gluten-free brews a try again. This blog will contain my reviews of gluten-free beer and cider. Hopefully my reviews will be helpful to others who follow gluten-free diets, have Celiac disease, or who are just interested in trying a new drink.

Cheers!