For more than five years, Bard’s has been the beer I bring to parties and barbecues. Friends who try it for the first time all say the same thing…“Hey, this tastes just like REAL beer!”
That is because Bard’s IS real beer, brewed in the style of American Lager. The only difference is that instead of using barley, Bard’s uses sorghum, a gluten-free grain.
Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Bard’s Beer was developed by two celiac beer drinkers for beer drinkers who prefer the lighter taste of American Lagers. This fine beer features low bitterness, a subtle floral aroma and a clean, refreshing finish.
Bard’s Beer is the first gluten-free sorghum beer in America and the only beer brewed with 100% malted sorghum to provide traditional taste and aroma.
History
Kevin Seplowitz and Craig Belser founded Bard’s Beer after being diagnosed with celiac disease. Both were avid beer drinkers and home brewers before their diagnoses, so they made it their mission to develop a “great-tasting beer that also happens to be gluten-free.”
In 2007, Bard’s made Brian Kovalchuk its CEO. Before taking the reins at Bard’s, Kovalchuk was responsible for the turnaround at Pabst Blue Ribbon, reviving a company on life support and building it into a thriving brand with huge popularity – mostly by word-of-mouth. In the past three years, Kovalchuk has developed Bard’s distribution to reach nationwide. He has also maintained the company’s focus on helping the gluten-free community
Bard’s works with all the national gluten-free non-profit organizations including the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness, Gluten Intolerance Group, Celiac Disease Foundation and the Celiac Sprue Association.
Appeal, Flavor and Drinkability
The first time you see a bottle of Bard’s, you cannot help but notice the beer actually invites you to drink it. I’m not kidding. The label displays the arm of a person (a pal or bartender?) handing you a bottle of Bard’s. Under the arm, it says “Discuss it over a Bard’s.” The bottle basically says, “Here you go, friend. Let’s chat.” That’s so cool.
The second thing you discover is that Bard’s is eminently drinkable. When I normally hear the term “craft beer” I tend to envision dark, thick, high-octane ooze. Thankfully, Bard’s is nothing like this and more along the lines of premium amber lagers that definitely provide flavor, but don’t overwhelm your senses. While some beers are bitter or sweet, Bard’s has a pleasant, rich flavor. Smooth on the way down, Bard’s finishes without a bite or aftertaste. Importantly, you can drink a few (or more) at a party without feeling bloated.
Speaking of parties, when you bring Bard’s to a friend’s house for the game or barbecue, do yourself a favor and hide a few in a separate fridge or underneath the veggies in the crisper drawer. Why? Once your gluten-eating friends try it, they will drink them. All of them. The “neat” factor of watching your friends enjoying your beer wears off quickly when you reach for your next Bard’s only to find thirty jealous Miller Lites glaring at you.
Gluten-Free Safety
A growing number of beers are trying to jump on the gluten-free bandwagon by trying to claim that although they are made from barley, the manufacturing process makes them gluten-free or low-gluten. Food is either gluten-free or not. If it is made from barley, then it is not gluten-free.
Bard’s is made from gluten-free sorghum, grown in contaminant-free fields, produced on gluten-free equipment and batch tested to ensure its safety.
Bard’s takes extra precautions to make sure Bard’s Beer is as safe for its customers as it is for its founders. Bard’s has implemented oversights that start with the farmers who grow their sorghum and continue until the beer reaches the bottle. Bard’s has exclusive contracts with their sorghum farmers, so they only produce for Bard’s. Bard’s inspected their farmers’ fields to make sure they are not located near gluten-containing fields. Rigorous cleaning and testing procedures for storage, transportation and production ensure there is no risk of contamination.
What Others Are Saying
People are saying some nice things about Bard’s Beer.
“I can’t imagine a more ironic situation for an Irish girl to find herself in, but yes, I have a gluten allergy! NO BEER…I simply couldn’t accept that as truth. I found your beer in a local liquor store, and prepared myself to accept whatever horrible excuse for beer I had purchased. I just enjoyed my first cold one. THANK YOU! All of my preconceived misconceptions were abolished with the first sip. This is a delicious craft-brewed ale! I cannot thank you enough for making a product that will not make my heritage a source of irony for the rest of my life! Slainte!” – Nicole, Pennsauken, NJ
“I am a senior in college and was just diagnosed with Celiac Disease. You guys make a great beer that is fair priced and is safe for me to enjoy… Thanks. Living Gluten-Free is still something that I am adjusting to, but you guys make it alot easier (esp. in college). I look forward to your continued progress and success and wish nothing but the best of luck to everyone behind this brand. While I enjoy drinking at home with friends, I also like finding your name listed at some of my favorite restaurants…” – Matt, West Harford, CT
“Hello Bard’s! Your beer is hands down the best gluten-free product on the market. (I’m not even just saying that because I am writing to you! It’s true!!!) Prior to being diagnosed with Celiac 6 months ago, I was a serious beer drinker. (I also was always sick after doing so…. sadly, the very thing I loved did not love me back!) After Celiac (AC) I thought I was doomed to a life of girly mixed drinks or even worse, wine, and then I found you, gloriously shining down upon me from the very top shelf of my local beer retailer. I’ve tried a few other g-f beers and was seriously beginning to think that I’d never find a decent one…. after one sip of Bard’s, I knew I was in love!” – Sara, Philadelphia, PA
Where to Buy
In the United States, Bard’s is sold by hundreds of distributors in every state except Alaska, Wyoming, Louisiana, Mississippi, West Virginia, Delaware and Hawaii. I’m told it will be in Hawaii soon and they are working on the others. You can also find it in parts of Canada and even Peru. Bard’s has a helpful distributor locator on their website. Just plug in your zip code.
Bard’s Beer Vital Stats:
Style: American Lager
Taste: Rich and Refreshing
Body: Medium
Bitterness: Low
Aroma: Floral
Color: Amber
Alcohol Content: 3.8% Alcohol By Weight / 4.6% Alcohol By Volume
Calories: 155 per 12 oz. serving
(Same as Michelob, 6 more than Coors, 5 less than Sam Adams Boston Lager)
Carbohydrates: 14.2 carbs per 12 oz. serving
(About as much as a corn tortilla.)
Serving Temperature: 39-45 degrees F
Distribution: USA, Canada, Peru and growing.
Contact Information:
Mail:
Bard’s Beer
PO Box 24835
Minneapolis, MN 55424-0835
Telephone:
877-440-2337
E-mail:
info@Bard’sbeer.com
Website:
http://Bard’sbeer.com
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Author Information: John Libonati, Philadelphia, PA
Publisher, Glutenfreeworks.com.
Editor & Publisher, Recognizing Celiac Disease.
John can be reached by e-mail here.
Bards is brewed locally at the brewery about 5 miles from my house and i can get bards at least two different stores locally. Ironically enough i can’t get Bards at the host of pubs and restaurants located next to above mentioned brewery! i totally prefer Bards over Redbridge (in fact over all gluten free beers ive tried) its much better tasting and satisfying!
Love this stuff. Great taste and perfect for a bbq
We also have Bard´s in Costa Rica in all major supermarket stores!
We are working hard to make our country gluten free friendly. We´ll keep you posted