Can a Gluten Free Pale Ale pass for something that Non-Celiac suffers would drink?
Gluten free products are mandatory for anyone suffering from Celiac disease. I have friends with this disease and it can be quite intrusive into their lives. Having a gluten free, readily available supply of ale from a local supermarket allows then mo enjoy the summer BBQ’s a little bit more.
Aldi had to recall this ale in March 2017 due to a labelling issue. The labels did not state the product contained barley. This has now been rectified.
I’m not intolerant to anything apart from winging kids and benefit cheats so has no real reason to buy a Gluten free product. This is done purely in the interests of a review and a good excuse to have a pint with the wife.
Unusually Aldi Gluten free pale ale comes in a 750ml swing top bottle. There is a reassuring pop as the bottle is opened. This is a throwback to home brewing and speciality ales. A nice touch. I’ve been thinking of doing some home brewing so the bottle will be saved.
The ale pours light golden. It has a large head that quickly subsides to a few mm from the top. It’s quite a gassy drink so the head stays throughout the drinking.
First sip is the most important to me as I don’t want to be put off straight away like I have been previously with some porters and budget ales and lagers. The Gluten free ale is not off putting in any way. It’s not a strong tasting ale by any means. It’s somewhere between a refreshing Lager (Budweiser style) and a light ale.
There is a little hint of zest, a hint of hops and a hint of bitterness. Each of these blends together to make a nice enough drink.
If I suffered from Celiac disease I’d definitely be stocking this for home. As a non-celiac sufferer I’d likely only buy this only when friends with the illness come around.
Rating: 3.5/5
Source: Aldi
Alcohol: 5%
Size: 750ml
Price: £2.49