Is beer vegan? – 2023

Who doesn’t love a good beer every now and then? Especially in this heat, there is nothing better than grabbing a pint at your local bar or popping open a cold bottle at home. Maybe some Margaritas in the evening. Or, if you’re under the legal drinking age, stick with ice cream or sorbet. 

You might wonder if you can continue enjoying your favorite beer if you have just switched to a vegan diet. So, is beer vegan? Let’s find out!

Is beer vegan?

Did you know that beer is made out of only 4 ingredients? Those being

• yeast
• hops
• water
• and grains such as barley, wheat, or oats.

It doesn’t take a genius to tell that the beverage appears 100% plant-based. And luckily, most often, beer is completely fine for vegans to consume! However, while beer calls for no animal-derived components, there are a few things to know before ordering your next pint.

Is root beer vegan?

Many people prefer root beer to regular beer – whether for the taste or the non-alcoholic nature. Would it be correct to assume that the recipe for root beer is vegan like classical beer is? Not exactly – there are a few things to look out for. 

It is no surprise that the soft drink gets its sweet taste from a sweetener. Most commonly, sugar is used. But sometimes honey is used instead, making it no longer suitable for vegans. And sugar is a controversial topic among vegans as the sweetener is often filtered through bone char.

However, you don’t need to be discouraged, because there are many vegan-friendly root beers out there. One of our favorites is definitely A&W Root beer.

When is beer not vegan?

The brewing process of beer is the biggest issue concerning vegans – the fining part of the process, to be exact. This is often done to give the brew a clear appearance and remove the natural cloudiness. Sadly, non-vegan fining agents such as isinglass and gelatin are most commonly used.

• Isinglass – A substance obtained from the fish bladder. Commonly used as a fining agent for wine as well.
• Gelatin – A protein derived from the bones, skin, and tissue of animals. Even Starburst contains gelatin. 

And, of course, always look out for ingredients such as honey in the ingredient list. Some brews, called milk stouts, even contain dairy – they are brewed with animal-based sugar molasses. 

How to know if a beer is vegan?

Unfortunately, it can be hard to know whether a beer is vegan-friendly or not. While it’s difficult to find a bottle of beer with an animal product listed on the ingredient label, the brewing process can make the beverage not fit for vegan folks.

Unless there is a vegan label on the beer bottle or can, there isn’t any way to tell whether it’s vegan-friendly just by looking at the drink. Checking the brand’s website or giving it a quick google tends to be the fastest way to find an answer to your question. Fortunately for us vegans, most beer is suitable for people on a plant-based diet, and most brewers avoid using animal-based products in the brewing process.

Frequently Asked Questions