By Robert La France

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), the key consumer group in the United Kingdom (UK) dedicated to preserving and promoting traditional pubs, independent breweries and real ale, sponsored the world’s first-ever international Gluten-Free Beer Festival, held in Chesterfield this past February. Over 130 different ales from the UK and nearly 20 gluten-free and low-gluten beers from around the world were featured.

Two gluten-free beers representing the United States included: Lakefront Brewery’s New Grist (brewed from sorghum) and Ramapo Valley Brewery’s Passover Honey Beer (which is also kosher). Both beers were cited by the judging panel for particular qualities, including excellence and originality in their range of flavors, according to the judges. Other gluten-free beers sampled from around the world included Green’s, Hambsharedcf1ns and Fine Ale Club from the UK, Koff and Laitilan from Finland, Les Bières de la Nouvelle France from Canada and O’Brien from Australia. Unfortunately, additional beers from the Netherlands, Australia, Italy and Austria did not clear customs in time for the festival.

More than 1,600 people attended the festival enjoying the diverse selection of gluten-free and gluten containing beers. The aim of the gluten-free component of the festival was to promote awareness and provide a "good-news" story for celiacs (spelled coeliac in Europe and other parts of the world). According to Dr. Steve Ford, organizer of the gluten-free festival and beer lover, "This is an example of celiacs working together to socialize normally and avoid isolation caused by their special dietary needs. It also represents part of the return to a ‘normal’ life."

Kim Koeller, president of GlutenFree Passport and co-author of the pioneering book series Let’s Eat Out! Your Passport to Living Gluten and Allergy Free, coordinated the US breweries’ involvement. After traveling over 4,000 miles to help Dr, Ford run the gluten-free beer festival bar, Kim noted "It was heart-warming to see celiacs and their gluten tolerant friends and family enjoying a pint of great gluten-free beer together in the English pub tradition".

Ford and Koeller, both celiacs, hope the event will return for 2007, now that CAMRA’s expertise in running these types of events can be tapped into during the planning process. And with the expanded availability of other gluten-free beers from U.S.-based brewers — including Dragon’s Gold from Bard’s Tale Beer Co. and others in development from Park Ridge Brewery, TE Chestnuts and Schlalfly Bottleworks to name a few— there ultimately may be a chance of similar festivals stateside.

"I think we are going to be seeing some UK pubs lead the way in offering drafts of gluten-free beer and ale. A festival like this is the first step toward celebrating brews already available around the world," notes Dr. Ford. Adds Kim Koeller, "we’re just beginning to see some US bars and restaurants offer gluten-free beer in bottles and will continue to see this trend increase as continued awareness grows with more products becoming available. We also hope that similar events make their way to U.S. shores to quench the thirsts of celiacs "on this side of the pond!"

Visit www.glutenfreebeerfestival.com for worldwide resources on gluten-free beers and www.glutenfreepassport.com for eating out and travel ideas from the Let’s Eat Out! series, selected as 2006 Benjamin Franklin Award finalist for Best Health, Wellness and Nutrition Book and Best First Book, Non-Fiction.