Are White Claw Hard Seltzers Really Gluten-Free? Ingredients & Risks

Understanding White Claw and Gluten

White Claw hard seltzer has become immensely popular in recent years. The low-calorie, fruit-flavored carbonated drink contains alcohol but is marketed as a healthier alternative to beer, wine, and cocktails.

But there is one question many people have about this trendy drink: is White Claw gluten-free? For those who need to avoid gluten for health reasons like celiac disease, this is an important consideration.

Below we’ll explore what gluten is, look at White Claw’s ingredients and production process, examine if there’s any gluten exposure risk, and compare White Claw to other hard seltzers and gluten-free beers on the market.

What is Gluten?

Gluten is a general name for the proteins found in grains like wheat, barley, and rye. It helps foods maintain their shape and texture, which is why it’s commonly found in bread products.

For those with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, consuming gluten triggers an autoimmune reaction that damages the small intestine. This can cause gastrointestinal symptoms like pain, bloating, and diarrhea as well as problems with nutrient absorption and an increased risk for additional autoimmune disorders.

The only treatment for celiac disease is adhering to a strict 100% gluten-free diet. That’s why it’s important for those who are gluten-free to understand if alcoholic beverages like White Claw contain gluten.

White Claw Ingredients

White Claw is made by blending three simple ingredients:

• Sparkling water
• Alcohol base
• Fruit flavor

The alcohol base for White Claw is made from fermented sugar. Many people assume it’s a malt beverage made from barley, but there is no malt, barley, wheat, rye, or other gluten-containing grain used in White Claw’s production.

This alcoholic water is then mixed with seltzer water and a natural fruit essence to create the final beverage.

No Gluten Ingredients or Exposure Risk

Since the alcohol in White Claw comes from fermented sugar rather than a gluten grain, the beverage is inherently gluten-free. None of the ingredients or production processes introduce any risk of gluten exposure or cross-contamination either.

The facility where White Claw is made only handles gluten-free products. The production lines are completely separate from breweries making beers with wheat or barley.

So according to its ingredients and how it’s made, White Claw hard seltzer is 100% gluten-free.

Comparing White Claw to Other Hard Seltzers

While White Claw is arguably the most popular domestic spiked seltzer, it’s not the only gluten-free carbonated alcoholic beverage on the market. Many alternatives also exist.

Truly

Truly is White Claw’s biggest competitor. Their hard seltzers are also made from sugar-based alcohol, sparkling water, and fruit flavorings. With no gluten-containing ingredients or risk of cross-contamination from other grains, Truly is another gluten-free option.

Smirnoff Seltzer

Part of the wider Smirnoff line of beverages, Smirnoff Seltzer follows the same formula: a malt-free, gluten-free alcohol base blended with bubbly water and natural fruit essences. So like White Claw and Truly, these meet gluten-free standards.

Bon & Viv

This brand was acquired by Anheuser-Busch in 2016 but continues to produce the same gluten-free spiked seltzers made from sugar-derived alcohol, sparkling water, and fruit flavors.

Nude

A newer player in the hard seltzer arena, Nude’s sparkling beverages are sweetened with monk fruit and erythritol. With no malt or gluten ingredients involved, Nude is another gluten-free variety. However, these do contain added sugars versus most seltzers.

There are also many smaller craft hard seltzer companies gaining popularity on a regional scale. Most follow the same basic recipe of fermenting sugar rather than grains. But if you have celiac disease or an allergy, it’s always smart to double check the ingredients and manufacturing process of any alcoholic beverage.

Compared to Gluten-Free Beers

Beyond fellow mainstream seltzers, White Claw is also positioned as a substitute for traditional beer. But how does it compare to GF and gluten-removed beers targeted at people avoiding gluten?

Gluten-Free Beers

Crafting good tasting gluten-free beer is tricky business. True gluten-free beers are made from grains and starchy plants like sorghum, buckwheat, rice, millet, corn, and quinoa. These often result in a thinner, less hoppy beer.

While the gluten-free brewing process avoids wheat, barley, and rye, there is some ongoing debate about whether these beers are safe for celiacs due to potential cross-contact. Plus they tend to be more expensive than seltzers.

Gluten-Removed Beers

Meanwhile, gluten-removed beers start with traditional barley malt and remove the gluten using special enzymes. However, research shows these beers can still contain detectable levels of gluten.

The FDA rules these gluten-removed brews unsafe for people with celiac disease. Those with gluten sensitivity may tolerate them fine, but celiacs could still react and provoke intestinal damage.

Compared head-to-head, White Claw has a leg up being inherently gluten grain-free by nature of its base ingredients. Meanwhile gluten-free and gluten-removed beers come with more questions about gluten exposure.

The Bottom Line

White Claw hard seltzer is a gluten-free alcoholic beverage. It’s made by fermenting sugar, not malt or gluten grains, to derive its alcohol base. This is then blended with seltzer water and fruit flavor.

There are no gluten ingredients used and no risk of cross-contamination on White Claw’s production lines. The facility and equipment only handle gluten-free products.

Other popular hard seltzers like Truly, Bon & Viv, and Smirnoff Seltzer follow the same formula and are also gluten-free. Read labels carefully and contact manufacturers directly if you ever have any doubt about gluten content or processing practices.

Compared to beers targeting gluten-free consumers, White Claw avoids the hassle of modified brewing practices or enzymes that don’t remove 100% of gluten protein according to research.

So for those with celiac disease especially, White Claw is inherently gluten-free straight out of the gate - no special processing required.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.