Monday, January 6, 2014

Heineken Light

Heineken Light gluten free beer low gluten test results bottle celiac intolerance
Beer: Heineken Light
Style: Pale Lager
Brewing location: Heineken Brouwerijen B.V., Amsterdam, Holland
Originating country: Holland
Alcohol by Volume: 3.3% 
Ingredients: purified water, malted barley, hops, yeast
Format tested: 12 oz bottle purchased in Los Angeles, CA
Beeradvocate rating: 57/100
Test kit: E-Z Gluten




Miscellaneous 
  • Heineken Light is produced solely for the US market
  • Heineken Light 12 oz bottle has 99 calories and 3.3% ABV. Regular Heineken has 150 calories and 5% ABV.
  • Heineken Light US sales declined 36.7% between 2007 and 2012

Test results photo
Heineken Light gluten free beer low gluten test results bottle celiac intolerance































Test result
Very High Positive at 20 parts per million (ppm), meaning it is well over 20 ppm. Though standards vary from country to country, according to the FDA, "in order to use the term 'gluten free' on its label a food must meet all the requirements of the definition, including that the food must contain less than 20 ppm gluten". It is said that products with a gluten content below 20 ppm are suitable for people with celiac disease.

My experience drinking Heineken Light
In my opinion this is the best tasting light beer out there, bar none. So I hope it stays on the market despite declining sales. I am not sure where I fall in the gluten tolerance spectrum. I definitely know what it feels like to be "glutened" i.e. gluten exposure, but I have not deliberately pushed my gluten consumption limits with any food or beer. I have consumed 3 x 12 oz bottles of Heineken Light over a 3-4 hour period (drinking nothing else) without experiencing any kind of gluten reaction. Failing the 20 ppm test is a disappointing result for celiacs given that most US domestic light beers appear to be well below the tolerated 20 ppm gluten level.

3 comments:

  1. Ugh, I'd read online it feel below 20 ppm so very disappointed to see this. But keep up the great work with the site!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Love these,also makes a good chaser

    ReplyDelete