If it feels like coeliac disease is being talked about more openly in the UK than ever before, you’re right.
According to Coeliac UK, around 1 in 100 people in the UK has coeliac disease, yet only around 36% are diagnosed, leaving hundreds of thousands of people potentially living with symptoms without knowing the cause.
As awareness grows across healthcare, hospitality and food culture, expectations are rising too. ‘Gluten-free’ is no longer a niche lifestyle choice; for many, it’s a medical necessity, and alternatives to gluten-inclusive products are needed.
And that includes beer.
For years, gluten-free beer options were limited and often underwhelming. Today, the UK and global beer scene is producing genuinely excellent gluten-free lagers, pale ales, IPAs and stouts – beers that stand shoulder-to-shoulder with their gluten-containing counterparts.
So, what does all of this mean for beer lovers with coeliac disease? It’s good news: the gluten-free beer scene has never been stronger – and with more clinical attention and mainstream discussion, it’s easier than ever to separate genuinely coeliac-safe options from vague marketing.
What ‘Gluten-Free’ Actually Means in the UK
Coeliac UK explains that a product can only be labelled ‘gluten free’ if it contains 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten or less under UK and EU law. That level is considered safe for people with coeliac disease following a strict gluten-free diet.
Gluten-free beer is typically made in one of two ways:
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Naturally gluten-free brewing: using grains like millet, sorghum or rice instead of barley.
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Gluten-removal processes: where beer brewed with barley is treated with an enzyme that breaks down gluten proteins, followed by laboratory testing to ensure it meets the legal threshold.
Both approaches can be coeliac-safe; what matters most is validated testing and transparency.
Internationally Well-Rated Gluten-Free Beers
Daura Damm (Spain)
If you want a reliable, widely available gluten-free lager, Daura is often the ‘gateway beer.’ It’s also racked up serious recognition: it won World’s Best Gluten-free Beer at the World Beer Awards (2023), and shows prior awards too. It offers a crisp, clean profile that appeals to drinkers who miss classic continental lager.
CELIA Organic Lager (Czech Republic)
A Czech-style lager brewed using a gluten-removal process, CELIA retains traditional malt character and refreshing bitterness, offering a classic European lager experience in gluten-free form. It’s become a favourite in gluten-free circles because of its snappy bitterness, crisp finish, and good balance.
Green’s (Belgium / UK distribution)
One of the pioneers of gluten-free brewing in Europe, Green’s produces fuller-bodied styles including dubbels and stronger ales. Among gluten-free beer enthusiasts, it’s frequently praised for flavour depth and complexity.
These international breweries show how far the category has come, but the UK scene now deserves equal recognition.
Highly Rated UK Gluten-Free Breweries
The UK is home to several breweries placing gluten-free beer at the centre of their offering.
Bellfield Brewery (Edinburgh)
Bellfield produces exclusively gluten-free beers and is certified by Coeliac UK. Founded with coeliac drinkers in mind, their lagers and pale ales are widely praised for balancing accessibility with genuine craft quality. They also have a tap room and do tours.
Birmingham Brewing Company (Birmingham)
All beers are brewed gluten-free using enzyme treatment and batch testing. Their range spans lagers and pale ales brewed with a flavour-first mindset. You can also visit their taproom and have a tour.
Brass Castle Brewery (North Yorkshire)
Brewing entirely gluten-free for over a decade, Brass Castle has built a strong reputation for hop-forward styles and well-structured pale ales that appeal beyond the gluten-free niche. They also have a taphouse.
Abbeydale Brewery (Sheffield)
Abbeydale has transitioned its entire range to gluten-free recipes, demonstrating how independent breweries are embracing inclusivity as standard rather than exception.
Alt Grain Co. (Southend-on-Sea)
A naturally gluten-free brewery using alternative grains instead of barley. This approach appeals particularly to coeliacs who prefer beers brewed without gluten-containing cereals at any stage.
Together, these breweries demonstrate something important: gluten-free beer in the UK is no longer a compromise category – it’s a craft category.
A quick buyer’s checklist for coeliacs choosing beer
Even with a booming market, these basics help you choose with confidence:
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Look for ‘gluten free’ labelling (which ties back to the ≤20ppm rule).
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Be cautious with vague wording like ‘gluten reduced’ unless it’s clearly tested and compliant.
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Remember allergen statements can still list barley/wheat/oats in some gluten-free beers – because allergens may need declaring even when gluten has been removed.
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When in doubt, ask about testing and certificates. Responsible producers will have a straight answer.
How Tun Brewing Is (Almost Entirely) Gluten-Free
At Tun Brewing, inclusivity isn’t a side project – it’s built into how we brew:
Brewed Using Brewers Clarity
We use Brewers Clarity enzyme during fermentation, which breaks down gluten proteins to compliant levels.
Every Batch Laboratory Tested
Every batch is independently tested and consistently measures below 10ppm gluten, which is comfortably under the UK legal threshold of 20ppm outlined by Coeliac UK.
Transparent Allergen Information
Even when gluten is removed to compliant levels, allergens such as barley must still legally be declared. We explain this clearly in our allergen guidance so customers can make informed choices.
This combination of process, testing and transparency, means coeliacs can enjoy Tun beers with confidence.
Award-Winning, Not ‘Free-From’
Gluten-free should never mean less than – as Tun Brewing is able to demonstrate with the following honours and mentions.
Tun celebrated success at the World Beer Awards 2025, including a bronze medal for Gem State of Mind in the taste category, alongside multiple design awards across the range.
We’ve also recently seen wider media recognition, with our Modern English IPA, Archetype, featured in The Times, and our New Zealand Pale Ale, Little Monster from the Id, featured on ITV’s Love Your Weekend.
These moments reflect something bigger happening in the UK: gluten-free beer is entering the mainstream conversation.
With that all being said, if you’re exploring gluten-free craft beer, here are some standout Tun options to try:
Archetype
Bold, modern and expressive, and recently featured in The Times. A great entry point for those wanting contemporary craft flavour without compromise.
Little Monster from the Id
As seen on ITV’s Love Your Weekend, this playful, flavour-forward beer delivers personality while remaining rigorously tested below 10ppm
Gem State of Mind
World Beer Awards medal winner. A beautifully balanced brew showcasing depth and refinement – and like almost all Tun beers, consistently testing under 10ppm gluten.
Explore the full gluten-free range here.
The Bigger Picture
The UK is talking more openly about coeliac disease, from diagnosis and screening debates to affordability and eating out. And as that visibility grows, gluten-free beer is finally catching up: you can now choose from award-winning lagers, craft-forward gluten-free specialists, and genuinely excellent modern breweries who treat coeliac options as non-negotiable.
From Abbeydale in Sheffield to Bellfield in Edinburgh — and right here at Tun Brewing — the message is clear:
Great gluten-free beer isn’t a compromise. It’s just great beer.
