Is Beer Vegan?
Naturally, the answer to this question will depend on which kind of beer you’re asking about. There are many different types of beer, from lagers to IPAs, and some of them contain animal-based ingredients while others do not.
If you’re looking for a vegan beer with no animal products, there are plenty of great options available to you. In fact, with the rise in Veganism in the UK, many breweries are now producing full ranges of vegan-friendly beers.
Let's take a closer look at what makes some beers vegan and some beers not, and what vegan-friendly alternative ingredient options are available.
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9 of the Best Vegan Beers To Buy in 2022
1. Daas Gluten-Free Beer
This Daas Gluten-Free Beer is a golden, strong, bottle-conditioned beer, featuring a dry, hoppy finish, with a spicy aroma and banana, coriander and honey notes. This beer is vegan and gluten-free using a deglutenisation process that retains the beer's full original flavours. Also commended in the Soil Association Organic Food Awards 2009, and one of our customer favourites, this vegan beer definitely makes our best list.
2. Samuel Smith's Organic Strawberry Fruit Beer
This Organic Strawberry Fruit Beer by Samuel Smith is a smooth, matured beer made from the finest organically grown wheat and barley. It is blended with pure organic strawberry juice, creating a unique and flavourful fruit beer that you are sure to love!
Plus — this yummy fruity treat isn’t just available in Strawberry, for those real sweet tooth's amongst us. It is also available in:
3. Brewdog Punk IPA
The Punk IPA by Brewdog is a popular vegan beer. It is full of flavour and is one of the hoppiest IPAs around. With an ABV of 5.4%, this beer is also one you can enjoy with a meal or on its own!
Available in this Craft Beer & Snack Hamper.
4. Brewdog Lost Lager
The Lost Lager, is a vegan, craft lager perfect for any time of year. It is a light, golden coloured lager with a crisp, refreshing taste. Brewed in small batches and using the finest ingredients, this vegan beer is definitely one to try! This classic lager also makes a great beer to accompany tasty vegan snacks.
Also available in our Tasty Vegan Hamper.
5. Stroud Brewery Alederflower Organic Pale Ale
This Alederflower Organic Pale Ale is a fantastic vegan beer made with all organic ingredients and an elderflower flavour. It has a light, refreshing taste with floral aromas and a bitter-sweet finish. This pale ale is perfect for those who want a quality, organic vegan beer.
Also available in our Craft Beer & Snack Hamper.
6. Stroud Brewery Classic IPA
This Classic IPA is a vegan, craft pale ale perfect for any time of year. It is a light, golden coloured ale with a crisp, refreshing taste. If you're a fan of the classic IPA taste, you'll love this vegan beer!
Also available in our Craft Beer & Snack Hamper.
Big Brand Vegan Beers
Some of the popular brand beers that are vegan include:
Note: Correct at time of writing, always check the current ingredient list to be sure!
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Alcohol-Free Vegan Beers
7. Lucky Saint Lager
Lucky Saint Lager is a vegan, alcohol-free beer that is perfect for any occasion - or time of day! It is a light, golden coloured lager with a crisp, refreshing taste. If you're looking for an alcohol-free alternative to a classic vegan lager, then Lucky Saint could be for you!
8. Infinite Session Pale Ale
Another great vegan, alcohol-free option is the Infinite Session Pale Ale. This ale has a light, refreshing taste with hoppy aromas and a craft finish. If you're looking for an easy drinking, vegan and alcohol-free beer, then this might be the one for you!
9. Brewdog Nanny State
A classic, flavourful vegan, alcohol-free beer is the Brewdog Nanny State. This IPA has a hoppy taste with fruity aromas and a bitter finish. If you're looking for an easy drinking, vegan and alcohol-free IPA, then this is the beer for you!
Going bigger?
For a bigger vegan gift, or treat for yourself, why not opt for a Samuel Smiths Organic Craft Beer and Snack Gift Set?
This tasty Craft Beer selection contains 6 organic craft beers from Samuel Smith, accompanied by a Goodness Project Vegan Letterbox Snack Gift box. A beautifully presented gift box for that vegan beer loving friend! Don't miss out, order today!
Discover Delicious Vegan Beer, Wine and More at Goodness Project
At the Goodness Project, we are all about celebrating delicious vegan food and drink! Whether you're looking for a vegan craft beer, wine or something a little different, we have the perfect vegan option for you. With an ever-growing range of products, we are sure to have the perfect vegan drink for you!
Alternative Ingredients For Vegan Beer
One of the most common animal ingredients found in beer is honey. Some beers may also contain milk (like milk stout for example, which contains lactose — a sugar derived from milk) and so are not suitable for vegans.
But these animal products are not the only non-vegan ingredients to watch out for when it comes to beer. Finings, a substance used to clarify and improve the appearance of beer, can be made from isinglass (a type of collagen derived from fish bladders), making them unsuitable for vegans.
Fortunately, there are a number of vegan-friendly fining agents available, including activated carbon and Irish moss. These agents work just as well as their animal-derived counterparts, and brewers have been using them for years without any noticeable difference in the quality or flavour of their beer.
To take the hard work out of finding vegan-friendly beers, we’ve put together a list of some of the best vegan beers on the market right now. Enjoy!