Low or Free Purine Beer
We’ve curated a selection of refreshing purine-free beers to help you manage your gout symptoms effectively. This low or free purine beer list is designed to assist anyone dealing with gout, ensuring that you can enjoy beer without worrying about exacerbating your symptoms.
Gout sufferers know all too well that beer isn’t the best drink for preventing a goat flare-up!
THE vital ingredient in beer that contains high purine levels is yeast, which converts to uric acid, causing potential gout issues.
Though the doctors will advise to stay away from such a tasty beverage, it just so happens that many brewers can actually reduce the purine levels in beer through strategic methods so that gout sufferers can sip away without risking flare-ups.
However, you don’t have to stay entirely away from beer because you have gout. Check out our best beer for diabetics article.
In this article, we will explore everything you need to know about low or free-purine beers – the best ones to drink, the ones to stay away from, some common questions, and some expert opinions for homebrewers wondering how to make it.
What the experts have to say
If you’re thinking of brewing your own batch of purine-free beer at home, we’ve got some expert tips and knowledge from some of the best growers, CEOs, master brewers, and beer fanatics in the country to help you get started on the right track.
Here’s what Michael Chen, Head of Growth at Notta, has to say on using alternative grains for lower purines.
“One strategy that can help reduce the purine content in beer is for brewers to consider using alternative grains, like rice or corn, in their recipes instead of high-purine grains like barley. These substitutions can lower the overall purine levels in the beer while still maintaining flavor and quality. However, it’s crucial for brewers to experiment and fine-tune their recipes to achieve the desired balance of flavor and reduced purine content in their brews.”
Some craft beer enthusiasts like Adam Hawke, CEO of Myrtle Beach Home Buyers, believe that post-fermentation purine reduction is the way forward.
“As someone involved in both homebrewing and professional brewing, I also emphasize the importance of post-fermentation treatments. Techniques like extended lagering or filtration can reduce purine content by allowing more time for purines to break down or be removed before bottling. This process can be time-consuming but is effective in producing a cleaner, purine-reduced final product.”
He then goes on to say that another option is balancing malts with purine-reducing agents to create purine-free beer.
“My advice for homebrewers seeking to create low- or purine-free beer revolves around the concept of balance. You need to balance your malt bill with low-purine grains and consider using purine-reducing agents available on the market. These agents, when added during the brewing process, can help lower the purine levels effectively. Also, focus on the style of beer you are brewing; some styles naturally lend themselves to lower purine levels. And, as always, practice makes perfect, so keep refining your technique.“
Another passionate brewer and CEO, Alexander Capozzolo of SD House Guys, gave his expert opinion on the topic of controlling temperatures and testing the final product for purine content.
“Having spent years in brewing, I believe that attention to detail is crucial for homebrewers aiming to brew low- or purine-free beer. One key aspect is temperature control during mashing and fermentation; lower temperatures can help minimize purine production. Additionally, experimenting with partial-grain brewing methods, where a portion of the grains are substituted with low-purine alternatives, can be effective. Always test your final product for purine content if possible, to ensure you’re on the right track.”
Lastly, Erik Wright, CEO at New Horizon Home Buyers, quotes that exploring adjuncts can reduce the overall purine content.
“As someone deeply involved in the art of brewing, I’d advise homebrewers interested in making low- or purine-free beer to consider the role of adjuncts. Adjuncts like oats, spelt, or even certain types of sugar can reduce the overall purine content in your beer.”
Low Purine Beer List
If you are looking to enjoy some good beers but are worried about a gout flare-up, here is the best purine-free beer list available today.
Redbridge by Anheuser-Busch
The Redbridge is another gluten-free beer brewed by one of the largest macro breweries in the world, Anheuser-Busch Brewing Company.
The brewery chose sorghum instead of wheat for brewing this beer, creating something enjoyable to drink if you have gout. The original aim was to create a beer for people who have gluten or wheat allergies.
However, it is probably the best option on this list because it is not only gluten-free but also has the qualities of a delightful beer. Redbridge pours golden amber, with its head vanishing immediately as it forms. Its color is rich, complementing the lightness of the beer and its healthy level of carbonation.
The aroma resembles the basic and sweet American ale, combining it with a mild flavor. This beer will go down your palate pretty smoothly, and its ABV of 4.8 percent makes it a perfect choice for various beer lovers.
Solstice Lager by Stella Artois
While we’ve mentioned beers that are 100 percent gluten-free, there are beers with gluten with significantly low purine levels.
An example of such a beer is the Solstice Lager by Stella Artois. It is a great option for gout because it is one of the best-filtered beers. Since this beer is triple-filtered, it removes leftover sediment and yeast in the brewing process.
The ingredients in the Solstice Lager are water, barley, and hop extracts. Thus, it is a healthy beer option without unnecessary additives. It’s one of the best light beers on the list and will not make you feel too heavy or bloated after only a few sips. Its 4.5 percent alcohol, 4.5 grams of carbs, and 105 calories make it a great health-conscious beer.
The Solstice Lager has a rich golden color with a slightly high carbonation and a thick white head, which fizzles out within a few seconds. The triple-filtering process gives this beer its smoothness, and its overall taste is smooth and light. It is a great beer to grab on a hot, sunny day.
Kirin Tanrei Platinum Double
This premium beer is purine-free and is another excellent option for gout. With a finger of frothy head, it pours an orange-yellow color. The beer head quickly fades, and the dominant aromas are of pilsner, bread malts, sweet potato, and caramel.
It has a dry, semi-spicy finish, with more of the same in terms of flavor, plus spicy and herbal hops, bread, caramel, and pilsner malts. It also has a faint black pepper note to it, and the mouth sensation is effervescent at first but rapidly settles down.
Overall, the malts are prominent – as are the pungent, dry hops. It is a refreshing beer for many of the reasons already mentioned. Moreover, it has an alcohol content of 5.5 percent, which helps you enjoy the best of this beer.
Passover Honey Beer by Ramapo Valley
The spices and herbs used in brewing this beer make it stand out among many other options available today. Most brews use barley, wheat, and other grains that may add to the purine levels. However, this Honey beer is void of these grains by skipping the malting process and does not extract sugar from any grain.
Instead, the brewery mixes natural herbs and spices – honey and molasses with hops to reduce the purine levels in the beer, making it ideal for drinking with gout issues. It appears medium-gold with plenty of fizzy bubbles clinging to the glass.
Passover Honey beer has a big honey aroma that balances perfectly with the subtle hop addition. The flavor resembles a white table wine, with fruity currants and sweet finishes.
The mouthfeel is pretty smooth and has an easy drinkability feel to it, considering it has an alcohol content of 5.2 percent, which is noticeable on the backend.
Ultra Pure Gold by Michelob
The Ultra Pure Gold beer by Michelob is triple-filtered and organic with a twist. Despite not being purine-free, it has a very low level of purine, which is barely noticeable and won’t give gout sufferers any issues.
The popular Michelob brand by Anheuser-Busch, famous for its Michelob beers such as Ultra, Ultra Dragon Fruit Peach, and Ultra Amber Max, created this Ultra Pure Gold beer with an organic twist.
The organic grains are perfect, void of any flavorings or artificial coloring. It boasts 3.8 percent alcohol content, 2.5 grams of carbohydrates, and only 85 calories. This nutritional fact makes this beer one of the healthiest options you can get your hands on.
Moreover, it has a fuller mouth feel and a long-lasting finish. Its body is also heavier than the original Pure Gold. It is not only one of the best choices for gout sufferers, but it is also a perfect beer for any occasion.
Keystone Light
Keystone Light Beer – listed in our article on low-calorie beers – is another triple-filtered option with low purine content. It is a light-bodied, refreshing, and crisp American light beer with a smooth taste and clean finish, making it ideal for a wide range of beer drinkers.
This American light lager comes with a straightforward, malty taste with some slight hop notes similar to Coors Light. The taste is bready, leaving a biscuit-like aftertaste. It also goes down the palate smoothly like water.
Keystone pours a light golden color with a nice crisp, dry finish and a slight corn syrup note.
However, the corn syrup doesn’t add too much to its flavor. Keystone Light Lager has natural malty notes and low bitterness. The low carbs level of 4.7 grams and calories of 101 throw its nutritional advantages up a significant notch.
Check out our cool article about beer without corn. We made it simple and fun just for you, so you can learn all about this interesting topic and enjoy your brews even more.
Purine-free non Alcoholic Beer
Asaki Dry Zero beer is a Japanese beer with zero of almost everything – purines, calories, carbohydrates, and alcohol. This makes it one of the healthiest beer options out there.
However, its taste, aroma, and mouthfeel give it more of a summer cocktail feeling than the bland zero beer that some people may think. Therefore, you may want to have it as a companion for a barbecue after a hot, sunny day.
It also fits perfectly with grilling vegetables. If you are a fan of non-alcoholic beers with ultimate nutritional benefits, then Asahi Dry Zero is the perfect drink for you.
Worst Beer for Gout
High levels of purine can trigger gout in people who already suffer from this condition, so it is usually safer to go with low-purine beers or those completely void of purine.
However, the purine levels can vary between beer brands and types. The highest purine levels are typically found in:
- Stout Beers: Stout beers, especially those with a high malt content, tend to have elevated purine levels. Examples include Guinness beer, Sierra Nevada Narwhal, and other heavy, dark beers.
- Porter Beers: Porter beers can also have relatively high purine content due to their malted barley and dark roasted malt.
- Craft and Specialty Beers: Some craft and specialty beers, including those with added ingredients like fruit or spices, may have higher purine levels compared to standard lagers or pilsners.
FAQs
Why Choose Low or Free Purine Beers?
Beers and other alcoholic beverages that are particularly high in purine get broken down into uric acid with a large amount remaining in the body, and too much uric acid in the body causes a condition known as hyperuricemia, where crystals will form in the body. These crystals often settle in joints to cause gout.
What Beers Should You Avoid With Gout?
Bottle-conditioned beers are the first to avoid since they contain twice as much yeast as regular beers, so stay away from any beers that are called “bottle-conditioned” or “barrel-aged.” You should also avoid beers with a high alcohol content, unfiltered beers, and wheat beers because they contain the most purines.
Are all yeast beers high in purine?
Not all yeast beers are necessarily high in purine, as the purine content can vary depending on the type and amount of ingredients used.
Related Low Purine beers
If you want to further expand your knowledge of beer, especially for gluten-intolerant people, explore our article on the Best Japanese Gluten Free Beer and Best Beer for Yeast Intolerance. If you’re a home brewer, our Yeast Nutrient Substitute article will guide you on alternatives to stimulate yeast activity for a successful brewing process.
Wrapping up
We hope you enjoyed reading this comprehensive article on low or free-purine beers, written with those who are battling gout in mind to allow you to enjoy a pint or two without tipping your uric acid levels. We’d love to hear about your experiences with these brews or if you’ve found others that fit the bill, so leave a comment below and share your thoughts!
Don’t let your condition stop you; grab one of these beers today!
Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine Subscription Link
