Gluten Free Irish Recipes and Beers for a Festive St. Patrick’s Day

If you are starting to plan how to get your Irish on this March, be thinking of ways to work in gluten free beers and Irish recipes for a festive St. Patrick’s Day. Americans across the nation celebrate St. Paddy’s Day on March 17^th with all things green and shamrock, and if you have just started living a gluten-free lifestyle, know this holiday is something that you can continue to celebrate with some advanced planning!

What to Know About Gluten Free Beer

One of the most common myths about gluten beers is that all of those beers are organically gluten-free. Unfortunately, this is not the case. There are beers that are organically free of gluten and then there are those beers that undergo a process that is said to remove at least most of the gluten. However, these two types of beer are not the same. For those who have a gluten intolerance or that suffer from celiac disease, drinking a beer that has had the gluten removed may not be enough to keep them safe, so it is important to choose wisely.

Beer drinking is a big business, and most grocery stores and convenience stores are well stocked to serve that demand. However, only a small percentage accounts for gluten free beer. The ripple effect of this is that many stores carry a relatively small selection of these beers. For this reason, it can be a good idea to buy gluten free beer ahead of time in case you have to travel to several different stores to find what you are looking for. It may even be necessary to visit a specialty liquor store to find a larger selection of gluten-free beer offerings.

As with most things that are gluten-free, be prepared to spend a little bit more to find a tasty gluten-free version. While cost can vary from store to store, it is not uncommon to spend a little more on gluten-free beer.

The bottom line is that it is best to start shopping early for gluten free beer so that you can find what you want in plenty of time for St. Patrick’s Day.

Popular Gluten Free Beer Options

Beer has many different variations, so some brands of beer may taste better or fit your health needs more closely than others. It is incredibly important to note that it is the job of the consumer to carefully review ingredients and manufacturing processes for beer to ensure that it is indeed suitably gluten-free.

Some beer brands that may be able to accommodate your dietary restrictions include:

• Anheuser-Busch’s Redbridge Gluten-Free Sorghum Beer
• Bard’s
• Ghostfish
• Glutenberg
• New Planet Beer

If you are at a brewery for St. Patrick’s Day and they do not carry a brand that is gluten-free versus one in which the gluten is removed, proceed with caution.

Once you do find a gluten free beer that meets your specific needs and you know where to buy it, it is time to start cooking up some of your favorite beer-infused Irish recipes for the holiday and beyond.

As always, no matter which type of beer you choose to indulge, remember to drink responsibly.

Irish Recipes for a Gluten Free St. Patrick’s Day

Menu planning can feel overwhelming if you aren’t sure where to start, so here are a few ideas to get you going in the right direction. Remember, these classic Irish recipes may come in gluten-filled and gluten-free versions, so make sure to that you are making the right version for yourself:

• Irish Soda Bread: This type of bread is made from simple ingredients that many people tend to already have on hand. It can be sweet and may have a few added ingredients such as raisins or carraway seeds for example.
• Irish Soda Bread Biscuits: These biscuits are made similarly to their loaf counterparts, but in a more bite-size fashion.
• Beer Bread: This type of bread is made with beer and is best served warm with butter. It can pair well with soups, stews, shepherd’s pie, and pot pies. Remember to make yours with gluten-free beer.
• Reuben Sandwiches on Gluten-Free Bread: A Reuben sandwich is made with rye bread, corned beef, sauerkraut, and Swiss cheese. Rye is not gluten-free, so to make this dish without gluten, instead choose a safe bread that does not contain gluten.
• Corned Beef Sandwiches on Gluten-Free Bread: This sandwich is usually made with corned beef brisket, cabbage, mustard, and is served on rye bread. Again, since rye is not gluten-free, you will need to choose a gluten-free bread to serve the sandwiches on.
• Shepherd’s Pie: As the name would indicate, this dish is made from pie crust (you will need a gluten-free version) with delicious meat and potatoes. It can be perfect for a cool day.
• Pot Pie: This pie is similar to the shepherd’s version but is sometimes served with lamb rather than beef and may also include a wider variety of vegetables. It will require a gluten-free pie crust.
• Potatoes: This vegetable is a staple for the Irish and can be made dozens of different delicious ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Irish style.
• Colcannon (traditional potato-based dish): A basic mix of mashed potatoes and shredded, cooked cabbage constitute the foundation of colcannon, a traditionally Irish dish. However, there are many versions and ways to make it your own and fit your dietary restrictions.
• Lamb Stew: This is essentially a recipe for a vegetable stew made with a roux and savory broth that also features lamb meat. For a gluten free option, the roux for lamb stew can be made with cornstarch instead of wheat flour.

If one of these menu items doesn’t tickle your fancy, don’t be afraid to try another traditional Irish recipe, but make it with gluten-free substitutions.

The gluten free beers and Irish recipe options listed above should help you have a festive St. Patrick’s Day. When the recipes above are made with certified gluten free ingredients, you can celebrate this fun holiday without worry!