Scientists at Penn State have discovered a method to make gluten-free beer taste like the real thing, and we couldn’t be happier. Led by Andrew Ledley, a doctoral candidate in food science, the research focuses more on process than ingredients.
Traditional beers rely on malts developed from enzymes created by barley, rye, or wheat. Gluten-free grains, however, tend to produce less enzymes, requiring enzyme supplementation and yielding a less flavorful beer. But, according to Ledley’s research, gluten-free grains actually are capable of performing exactly like their gluten-containing counterparts; the grains just need to be mashed at a lower temperature to preserve the enzymes. With that adjustment, according to Ledley, gluten-free beers can taste just as good as those with gluten.
Ledley was inspired to develop a “drinkable” beer when his brother was diagnosed with celiac disease, and his goal is to bring it mainstream:
“So, if they make a delicious beer out of sorghum, millet or teff that just happens to be gluten-free, they’ll promote it that way rather than framing it as gluten free first. I want to move to a space where we don’t have to use the qualifier, ‘it’s pretty good for a gluten-free beer.’ I want, ‘it’s a good beer that just happens to be gluten-free.’”
Penn State has applied for a provisional patent on this new mashing process, and Ledley has already used it to brew some great-tasting beers. CHEERS!
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