The Canadian Celiac Association has published important information about Canadian legislation and labeling changes.
As a celiac, you need to be careful about the drinks you consume. But that doesn't mean you can't drink an alcoholic beverage if you want to. Alcohol is allowed on the celiac diet, as long as you choose the right types of alcohol.
Beer and ale are usually made from barley and are not safe for celiac patients to drink. Wine made from grapes is safe for people with celiac disease. This also applies to fortified wines such as sherry and port.
Rye whiskey, Scotch whiskey and other spirits
One area of potential confusion for celiac patients is whether drinks such as gin, vodka, Scotch whiskey and rye whiskey are safe to drink. According to the Canadian Celiac Association Handbook, 3rd Edition, these drinks are not recommended for the gluten-free diet in the United States, but in Canada, authorities believe it is fine for people with celiac disease to consume them.
The reason behind allowing these types of spirits is that they have no detectable prolamine content. Prolamines are the proteins that damage the small intestine in celiac patients.
So if you like these drinks, you're in luck. Although made by fermenting wheat, barley, or rye, these drinks are distilled, making them safe to drink unless otherwise noted.
Always check the label on everything you buy, including alcoholic drinks. Some liquors and coolers contain other ingredients and may not be safe for celiac patients.
