The recipe
Keep the grain ingredients.
The treatment works within a conventional beer recipe. Barley and any wheat used in that recipe remain starting ingredients.
Gluten & beer · A Good Robot guide
WHAT IS
GLUTEN-REDUCED
BEER?
Why brewers use enzyme treatment. How it works.
And what it means for the beer you choose.
Brewed in Nova Scotia. Questions welcome.
The definition
“Gluten-reduced” describes beer treated with an enzyme during brewing. The enzyme breaks down gluten proteins in beer made with traditional grains. The finished beer may still contain gluten.
Get the answersThe brewing purpose
WHY USE
AN ENZYME?
Enzyme treatment acts on proteins while brewers continue to use traditional grain recipes. Brewers Clarex has brewing applications in both protein treatment and beer stability.
The proteins
Act on protein chains.
The enzyme cuts certain proteins into smaller fragments, helping prevent chill haze.
The beer
Support beer stability.
Brewers Clarex is designed to improve beer stability while preserving flavour and foam.
From grains to finished beer
HOW THE
PROCESS WORKS.
We use Brewers Clarex when brewing selected beers. Here’s how the enzyme works.
- 01
Start with grains.
Traditional beer recipes use grains such as barley or wheat. These grains give the beer a starting point for its flavour.
- 02
Use the enzyme.
Liquid Brewers Clarex can be added during fermentation, when it acts on beer proteins. The amount used depends on the recipe.
- 03
Break down proteins.
The enzyme cuts certain protein chains into smaller fragments. It also acts on proteins involved in chill haze.
- 04
Keep the beer’s character.
Brewers Clarex is designed to preserve taste and foam while it works on proteins within a traditional beer recipe.
Ingredients & dietary needs
TWO TERMS.
ONE IMPORTANT DIFFERENCE.
Enzyme-treated beer and beer made from gluten-free ingredients take different approaches to brewing.
Traditional grains.
An enzyme step.
Beer brewed from gluten-containing grains, such as barley or wheat, with an enzyme used to act on proteins during brewing.
- Starts with traditional grain ingredients.
- Uses an enzyme in the brewing process.
- The beer may still contain gluten.
A different
starting point.
Beer made from gluten-free grains, such as sorghum or rice, with controls to prevent gluten contamination.
- Uses gluten-free ingredients.
- Must meet the requirements for a gluten-free claim.
- Always read the current label.
For Canadian labels, the starting ingredients matter. Enzyme treatment alone does not establish a gluten-free claim for beer made from gluten-containing grains.
From our beer range
MEET THE BEERS.
CHECK THE DETAILS.
Explore the beers below and their flavour profiles. For current ingredients and brewing details, check the product label or ask us.
Shop all beer & drinks ↗
Mexican lager
Diablo Mexican Lager
Light, crisp Mexican lager with lime zest and jalapeño. Not spicy.
View beer & shop
Pilsner
Good Robot Pilsner
Czech-style pilsner with a crisp, light body and gentle hop flavour.
View beer & shop
Fruit sour
Thembot Guava-Blackberry Sour
Guava-blackberry sour with a refreshing, tart flavour.
View beer & shop
Light lager
Ultra Light Lager
A Nova Scotia-made light lager designed to retain full beer flavour.
View beer & shop
Light IPA
Ultra Light IPA
Smooth, crisp light IPA with bright citrus notes and a hint of floral.
View beer & shop
Non-alcoholic beer
Ultra Daylight Non-Alcoholic Beer
Non-alcoholic beer with a crisp, refreshing taste.
View beer & shopSeasonal beers deserve their own check.
Seasonal recipes can change. Ask us about the ingredients and brewing process of a particular release.
Good questions
LET’S CLEAR
THINGS UP.
Plain answers about gluten, brewing and choosing a beer.
Have another question? Ask us ↗What is gluten-reduced beer?
People use this term for beer brewed from gluten-containing grains and treated with an enzyme that acts on gluten proteins. The starting grains remain the same, and the finished beer may still contain gluten.
What is the purpose of enzyme treatment in beer?
It lets brewers act on gluten proteins while using traditional grain recipes. Brewers Clarex also helps prevent protein haze and improve beer stability, while it is designed to preserve taste and foam.
How does Good Robot process selected beers?
We use Brewers Clarex when brewing selected beers. The enzyme acts on proteins during brewing. Ask us about the current recipe of a particular beer.
Does enzyme treatment change the taste of beer?
Brewers Clarex is designed to preserve beer taste and foam while acting on proteins. Each of our beers gets its flavour from its recipe.
Is gluten-reduced beer gluten-free?
No. Enzyme-treated beer may still contain gluten and is different from beer made with gluten-free ingredients. In Canada, treatment does not establish a gluten-free claim. CFIA also does not accept “low gluten” or “reduced gluten” product claims; qualified treatment statements have separate requirements.
Does gluten-reduced beer improve digestion or reduce bloating?
This brewing process does not tell us how a person will feel after drinking a beer. We do not claim that our beers improve digestion or reduce bloating.
Can someone with celiac disease drink gluten-reduced beer?
Celiac Canada advises people with celiac disease to avoid enzyme-treated beers made from gluten-containing grains. We do not present these beers as suitable for a gluten-free diet.
Does a low gluten test result prove that beer is gluten-free?
No. CFIA says current testing methods are insufficient to substantiate that claim for beer brewed from gluten-containing grains. We do not provide a batch-level gluten result or a gluten-free guarantee in this guide.
Is non-alcoholic beer automatically gluten-free?
No. Alcohol content and starting ingredients are separate questions. Non-alcoholic does not mean gluten-free. Read the current ingredient and label information for Ultra Daylight or any other non-alcoholic beer.
Which Good Robot beers are included in this guide?
The nine beers featured here are Diablo, Creature Feature, Good Robot Lager, Good Robot Pilsner, Thembot, Burban Legend, Ultra Light Lager, Ultra Light IPA and Ultra Daylight. You’ll find their styles, flavours and shop links in the cards above.
What about other or seasonal Good Robot beers?
Seasonal recipes can change. Ask us about the ingredients and brewing process of a particular release.
Where can I buy Good Robot beer in Halifax or Nova Scotia?
Use our online shop or explore the Robie Street, Commons and Elmsdale venue links in this guide. Pickup, delivery and shipping options depend on your address and are confirmed at checkout.
Good Robot in Nova Scotia
SHOP ONLINE.
OR COME SAY HELLO.
Browse our shop for current products and pack sizes. Pickup, delivery and shipping options are confirmed for your address at checkout.
Halifax · North End
Robie Street
2736 Robie Street
Taproom & beer store ↗Halifax · North Park StreetThe Commons
2223 North Park Street
Beer garden & shop ↗East Hants · ElmsdaleElmsdale
14 Industrial Way
Brewery & beer store ↗Your next stop