Beer # 285 Mongozo Premium Pilsner Gluten Free

Beer # 285 Mongozo Gluten Free

Mongozo BV

Melle Belguim
Independent
Gluten Free Pilsner 
5.0 % ABV Brown Glass Bottle 330 ml.
$3.15 (Canadian) At LCBO 

Twitter: N/A

Lurr, Ruler of the Planet Omicron Persei 8
doesn't like this beer either

So I like to try and give a chance to gluten free beers even though I don't like them, and think they are just a marketing stunt trying to wedge open an unnecessary niche. But, this beer... Wow, this beer both confuses and infuriates me; Just like my friend Lurr of the Planet Omicron Persei 8. It starts life as a lager... with gluten, then they do something to it... (no doubt unspeakably horrible) and suddenly it has no gluten left. But actually... it may, as it comes with a WARNING, that this product MAY CONTAIN GLUTEN. To distract you from this fact, the product is certified Fair Trade, and Organic. Now to deepen the confusion this beer has won multiple gold medals at the world beer stage. Which either tells you there is no competition at the world stage for this crap; or these beers really ARE THAT BAD... I'll leave that distinction to you. But if it were me and I was Celiac and it came down to drinking this beer or gluten filled beer; I would take the regular beer every time. My stomach would not like it, but my taste buds would not believe I hated them.

As always, I am not a doctor... I just play one in chat rooms. If you suspect you have Celiac's disease PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, consult an Immunologist who has experience with the disease. Have your family physician recommend one, or go through one of the Celiac Websites:

Canada:  www.celiac.ca

USA:      www.celiac.org

UK         www.coeliac.org.uk

Remember Celiac's is an autoimmune disease akin to Lupus. It is not a weight loss programme, or a "cleansing diet." The concept of "gluten sensitivity" has been scientifically proven false. Please use with caution.

Onto the "beer" (if we can call it that...)

Pours a brassy gold colour with a flat skiff of a head made up of odd sized bubbles. The nose is wet dog and chemical. light hints of grain and citrus. First sip is flat and watery like soda that has been left open. Light grain, some bread, and touches of citrus. Hints of pepper on the end of the tongue. Overwhelming taste of soda water, touches of minerals. Aeration brings out some green hops.

 Impressions: Fail, So-so, Pass, Exceptional 


Cost: 5/6 PASS
Colour: 5/6 PASS
Beer Style: 0/6 FAIL
Re-Order:  0/6  FAIL
Experience: 0/6 FAIL



Final Thoughts:


I cannot describe how much I hated this agglomeration of ingredients that made up something resembling an alcoholic beverage. This was pure trash in a bottle designed to separate the gullible from their money. This "beer" makes me long for something with more flavour... like Coor's Light.

I need a shower and to scrub my tongue off. I give this "beer" the un-coveted #DrainAward. Avoid this, like you would your crazy ex, wielding a chainsaw.

  
Cheers

CJT

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Estrella Damm Daura Gluten Reduced Lager

Beer # 228

 Estrella Damm Daura Gluten Reduced Lager

S.A Damm Brewery
Barcelona, Spain

Independent Large Scale Brewery
Gluten Reduced lager
5.4 % ABV Brown Glass Bottle 330 ml
$2.17 (Canadian) At LCBO ($13.00 for a six pack)

Twitter: @dauradamm


I was intrigued when this new "gluten free" beer showed up in the local LCBO. Especially since it was touted to be the best gluten free beer in the world. Produced by S.A. Damm, the brewers responsible for Estrella Damm among other notable beers, Daura Damm has won awards 11 awards between 2008 and 2013. Unlike other gluten free beers which try to create a beer like flavour using grains or other fermentables that do not contain gluten, Daura uses rice and barley malt and then "removes" the gluten in some unexplained process. They claim the finished product contains about 3 PPM of gluten and anything under 20 PPM is considered gluten free by international standards.

Onto our beer...

Pours a crystal clear light gold with a thin off-white head made of small bubbles. Nose is flat and off putting, slightly chemical some wet dog and sulphur. Thin bodied with a washed out malt background, very chemical tasting with an acute bitterness that takes over in the middle of the beer and does not let your tongue go. The finish is pungent, skunky, and astringent not unlike biting into a bitter green weed.
Impressions: Fail, So-so, Pass, Exceptional 


Cost: 5/6 PASS
Colour: 5/6 PASS
Beer Style: 1/6 FAIL
Re-Order:  1/6  FAIL
Experience:  1/6 FAIL

Final Thoughts:

In the interest of keeping an open mind I have always tried to openly and honestly taste  gluten free beers, and I have found more than one that is quite good and very drinkable. This is not one of those. Not by a long shot. Their claims of this being the best gluten free beer in the world makes me wonder if they invited anyone else to try out. This is an ugly beer and does not deserve any of the recognition it seems to have garnered... Avoid this beer.

If you believe you have Celiac's disease, please contact a immunologist in your area familiar with the disease and have yourself tested before attempting a gluten free diet on your own. You may also contact your local Celiac's Society for information on being tested. 

Canada  http://www.celiac.ca/

UK   https://www.coeliac.org.uk/home/

USA   http://celiac.org/

CheersCJT



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