June 2017 – Low Gluten in Beer

Sapporo Black Label is a typical Japanese lager, and one of the top-selling beers in Japan. It contains not only malt and hops, but rice, corn, and starch, which gave me hope for a low- or no-gluten test result. I had also encountered anecdotal claims on the Web that Sapporo (no variety specified, just “Sapporo”) was gluten-free. Indeed, if you order a “Sapporo” in Japan, you can expect to get Black Label. Let’s see how it tested. NOTE: this beer is completely different from the Sapporo Black product.

Beer: Sapporo Black Label (サッポロ黒ラベル)
Producer: Sapporo
Originating country: Japan
Brewing location: Japan
Can size: 350ml
Alcohol by volume: 5.0%
Ingredients: malt, hops, rice, corn, starch (unspecified)

Test kit: Imutest Gluten-in-Food Kit

Test result: There is a not-so-faint pink spot on the left side of the testing area, which is an indication of the presence of gluten. The pink spot on the right test area (C) is a control spot and indicates that the extract/sample is suitable, the test has been performed correctly, and all reagents are active. The gluten content of the sample can be estimated according to the intensity of the pink test spot. Despite the use of rice and corn in the brewing process, this sample of Sapporo Black Label seems to have a relatively high gluten content compared to other Japanese lagers I’ve tested.

Test provided by Adam from Adelaide/Australia

Another beer from my home state of South Australia. The “Vale” is in reference to McLaren Vale, our second most famous wine producing area after the Barossa Valley, of course. Mind you the beer is made in Willunga which I think isn’t technically McLaren Vale. Anyway that’s not important. What is important is that it was another pass, under 20ppm. And it was quite a nice beer too.

Beer: Vale Lager
Producer: Vale Brewing
Originating country: Australia
Brewing location: Australia
Bottle size: 330 ml = approx. 12 Oz.
Alcohol by volume: 4.5%
Ingredients: not stated on label
Miscellaneous: Thanks for test, Adam!

Test Kit: GlutenTox Home Kit

Adam tested with a threshold of 20 ppm. The limit of detection depends on the number of drops taken from the extraction solution, please find some more information here.

Test result: There is no indication of the presence of gluten above 20 ppm. According to the instructions there should appear a clearly visible red test line on the right of the test area ( T ) to indicate the presence of gluten. The blue line on the left test area ( C ) is a control line and indicates that the extract/sample is suitable, the test has been performed correctly and all reagents are active. Even though this test is negative please note it is not a medical advice – see my facts page.

test the gluten content of your beer

Month: June 2017

Sapporo Black Label Gluten Test

Vale Lager Gluten Test