Beer and wheat

[nisaa]

Well, I made it one month with mostly no wheat in my diet. On July 4th, I mistakenly took a Hefeweizen out of the fridge without looking. I felt funny after I started drinking it - kinda like I get with MSG reactions. I got kinda foggy-headed and my legs started to ache. So I took some Chinese Curing pills and a Benadryl and gave up the beer.

Today, I went to a pub with some friends and wanted to get a sampler, telling the waitress I didn't want any Hefewiezen because of the wheat. See, from what little German I know, Hefeweizen means "wheat beer". The waitress came back and recommended a cider instead because all the beers had wheat.

Hmm . . . I don't remember that to be so. But I was grateful she was cautious. So I did a little research. No wheat in Guinness. I can drink Guinness. End of research. Does anything else matter? Not really. There are gluten-free beers out there, for my friends who need them. There's even a gluten-free beer festival.

So, from now on, to be on the safe side, I'll order Guinness or a cider or a poor man's black velvet (combo of both) and I'll be fine. Really.

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

Most beer is made from hops, a grain which is not wheat. You also get a lot of barley in beer (also not wheat). Maybe what she meant is that all the grains involved in beer production have gluten? I think wheat beers are usually specially named, but yeah, better safe than sorry.

[nisaa.livejournal.com]

See, I thought so too. I know it's mostly wheat or barley. Those don't seem to bother me. She may just be used to questions from people who are gluten intolerant.

[twistedcat.livejournal.com]

they put wheat in a lot of things these days because it's cheap, so i don't know. it never bothered me enough to research it, since i don't drink....

[mermaidlady]

Hops aren't a grain; they're a flower. They're used as a flavoring (bittering) agent in beer. Compared to the malted barley (and other grains), hops make up only a small percentage of the ingredients in beer.

[nisaa.livejournal.com]

Thanks. You must know people who make their own beer or something ;) I saw a pic of hops when I was looking up ingredients yesterday. Still? I have no problem sticking with Guinness if it's wheat-free.

[nisaa.livejournal.com]

Surprisingly, there's no wheat in Budweiser or Coors, but, why would I want to drink them??? Bleah!

[mermaidlady]

I actually just gave away all my brewing supplies. Sad, but since I haven't made anything in more than 5 years, it seemed silly to let it gather dust (and take up room).

Hey there!

[girlygothic.livejournal.com]

Hey Nisaa, Irene here. Long time no see/talk. I found you via your comment to pax_industria. Sorry to hear you haven't been well lately. But definitely glad to hear you discovered wheat is the problem, and are doing better now. Looking forward to seeing you at Pennsic.

Re: Hey there!

[nisaa.livejournal.com]

Hi Irene!! See you at Pennsic!!!

[gothgeekgirl.livejournal.com]

So, from now on, to be on the safe side, I'll order Guinness or a cider or a poor man's black velvet (combo of both) and I'll be fine. Really.

Heavens! Such a sacrifice!

*hand/staple/forehead*

I'm glad you found what was ailing you- welcome to the wonderful world of reading package labels.

You know me through pir. He stayed at my place when he was in LA last year. IIRC, I attended both your going away party in Boston and your housewarming here in LA.

So, hi!

[nisaa.livejournal.com]

Yes, of course! I ran into you on the dance floor at Malediction a few weeks ago too. Great icon pic of you, btw.

[gothgeekgirl.livejournal.com]

Yes, just as you were leaving, too. I could've stood for that hug to last somewhat longer. Next time, perhaps.

And thanks re the pic- one of the Malediction photographers got a lucky shot of me on the dancefloor. I was quite pleased and snagged a copy off the website as soon as I saw it :)