Brewery uses curious grains to create gluten-free beer range

A brewery has become the first to bottle up gluten-free beers.
By The Newsroom
Published 3rd Mar 2017, 05:00 BST
Updated 24th Mar 2017, 10:03 BST
Peter Briggs with the first two brews from his Seaham business.Peter Briggs with the first two brews from his Seaham business.
Peter Briggs with the first two brews from his Seaham business.

Autumn Brewing Co, based on Seaham’s Spectrum Business Park, has dedicated its production to creating the specialist ales and lagers.

Instead of barley-based drinks, it uses alternative grains including rice, millet and quinoa in its brews.

The beers have been a hit with people with a gluten intolerance.The beers have been a hit with people with a gluten intolerance.
The beers have been a hit with people with a gluten intolerance.
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The company is the brainchild of Peter Briggs who was inspired to take on this new challenge after a friend was diagnosed as coeliac.

It has announced the launch of its first commercial brews as part of its ALTernative BREWing range: ALT BREW NO.01 Bavarian style-Pilsner and ALT BREW NO.02 English pale ale.

As well as being a great choice for those who suffer from the disease, the range offers beer drinkers an alternative to mainstream barley-based beers.

Peter Briggs said the drinks are the product of two years of research and training.

The beers have been a hit with people with a gluten intolerance.The beers have been a hit with people with a gluten intolerance.
The beers have been a hit with people with a gluten intolerance.
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He added: “The range is now available to purchase and the feedback we’ve had so far has been great.

“For those who follow a gluten-free diet, out of necessity or choice, finding high quality, great tasting gluten-free beers brewed from naturally gluten-free ingredients, is a real joy.”

All Autumn Brewing Co,’s beers and lagers are certified through the Coeliac UK Crossed Grain Symbol scheme, which helps people with the condition or are sensitive to gluten.

To give drinkers extra peace of mind, every batch is tested by a United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) accredited laboratory, to make sure it is below the recognised gluten-free standard of 20 parts per million (ppm) before being sold.

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Coeliac disease is a lifelong autoimmune disease caused by a reaction to gluten.

It affects at least one in 100 people, however and sufferers are advised to avoid food and drink which contains barley, wheat or rye as an ingredient - including the majority of beers and lagers.

The Pilsner has already been shortlisted for a gluten-free beer award in the FreeFrom Food Awards 2017

There are plans to add to the range in the coming months.

The brewery’s beers can be bought from Coppers in Gosforth, The Black Horse in Low Fell and The Lions Den in Yarm, and are also stocked by shops in Wiltshire and Newbury.

They can also be found online at The Gluten Free Beer Store.

For more information visit www.autumnbrewing.co.uk.

Related topics:SeahamSpectrum Business Park