Coors Launching Gluten Free Beer

Jan. 16, 2015 – MillerCoors announced this week that a gluten free beer called “Coors Peak Copper Lager” will launch next month in Portland and Seattle.  Production limitations preclude a broader roll out for now.

To make the beer gluten-free, Coors will replace barley with brown rice, malted brown rice and protein from peas, a spokesman said. The beer also must also be made separately from beers that contain gluten in order to comply with gluten-free certification rules.

MillerCoors described Coors Peak as a “light to medium-bodied crisp copper lager” with a “malty, slight caramel profile offset by subtly spicy hops and the finish is slightly bitter, crisp and perfectly balanced.” The beer contains 170 calories per 12-ounce serving.

MillerCoors is the first major brewery to enter the gluten free market.  Several craft breweries are producing gluten free beers in smaller quantities.