Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBeer Allergy SymptomsCausesAlcohol Intolerance vs. AllergyRisk FactorsDiagnosisWhen to See a Healthcare ProviderTips to Manage a Beer Allergy
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Beer Allergy Symptoms
Causes
Alcohol Intolerance vs. Allergy
Risk Factors
Diagnosis
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Tips to Manage a Beer Allergy
Natural beer allergies are rare. While the main ingredient in beer is water, people with beerallergy symptomsare often sensitive to beer ingredients like wheat, yeast, sulfites, and histamine.
If you break out in a rash or itching or have gastrointestinal (GI) issues after consuming beer,alcohol intolerancecould be another possible explanation.
This article explains the symptoms, causes, risk factors, and diagnoses associated with a beer allergy.
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People with a beer allergy are likely to experience commonfood allergysymptoms. The symptoms may start soon after they consume beer or take a little longer to come on. Possible beer allergy symptoms include:
Anaphylaxisis a rare but severe allergic reaction possible with any allergy, including beer or its ingredients.
More severe symptoms of a beer allergy include shortness of breath, swelling of the throat or tongue, and loss of consciousness.
A severe allergic reaction can be life-threatening and is an emergency. If you have these symptoms after drinking beer, call 911 or go to the nearest ER.
Several ingredients in beer can lead to beer allergy symptoms. Beer ingredients that commonly cause allergies or sensitivities include barley, gluten, histamines, sulfites, and yeast.
Food allergies impact 4% to 6% of Americans.Wheat allergies are increasingly common around the world.About 2 million adults in the U.S. are thought to have wheat allergy.
Gluten
Gluten is a protein in wheat, rye, and barley. If you have agluten allergy, sensitivity, or celiac disease, you have to follow agluten-free dietto prevent symptoms.
Since the main ingredient in beer is barley, you will have to avoid beer on a gluten-free diet or stick with gluten-free beer.
What Is Celiac Disease?Celiac disease is not an allergy or food sensitivity; it is an autoimmune disease in which your white blood cells attack the lining of your small intestine when you consume something that has gluten in it.Symptoms of gluten sensitivity or allergy include:Abdominal painAnemia(low red blood cells)Brain fogDepressionDiarrheaEczemaor rashFatigueHeadacheJoint painNumbness in extremities
What Is Celiac Disease?
Celiac disease is not an allergy or food sensitivity; it is an autoimmune disease in which your white blood cells attack the lining of your small intestine when you consume something that has gluten in it.Symptoms of gluten sensitivity or allergy include:Abdominal painAnemia(low red blood cells)Brain fogDepressionDiarrheaEczemaor rashFatigueHeadacheJoint painNumbness in extremities
Celiac disease is not an allergy or food sensitivity; it is an autoimmune disease in which your white blood cells attack the lining of your small intestine when you consume something that has gluten in it.
Symptoms of gluten sensitivity or allergy include:
Histamines
Histamineintolerancemay cause a reaction when you drink beer. That’s because beer contains histamine, produced during fermentation (yeast converts sugars to alcohol).
People with histamine intolerance have decreased or inhibited enzymes that break down histamine from food.
As a result, they cannot prevent histamine from entering the bloodstream and causing symptoms.
Symptoms of histamine intolerance include:
Low-Histamine Diet
Sulfites
Sulfitesare in beer after fermentation. If you have asulfite allergy, you will have symptoms when you drink beer.
Sulfite allergy symptoms include:
Yeast
Brewer’s yeast is made from a fungus. It is in all fermented alcohol, including beer. While rare, yeast allergy can cause an allergic reaction in some people.
A yeast allergy can cause hives and digestive symptoms. Rarely, it can cause serious allergic reactions.
Food allergies and intolerances can be hard to tell apart. Thedifferencelies in the body system that responds to food sensitivities and allergies, including beer and its ingredients.
Allergies occur when the body responds to anallergen(for example, an ingredient in beer). When this happens, yourimmune systemoverreacts because it sees the allergen as foreign. Your body creates antibodies to fight the allergen the way it would a pathogen.
Food intolerances are far more common than food allergies, affecting up to 20% of people worldwide.
Alcohol intolerance is most common in people of Asian descent because they are more likely to have a genetic mutation that prevents enzymes from breaking down alcohol.
In addition, people with asthma or other food or inhalant allergies might be more likely to have alcohol allergies or intolerances.
There are several ways todiagnosean alcohol allergy or intolerance.
Food Diary
A food and symptom diary can help you keep track of when your symptoms appear and whether they line up with certain things—such as alcohol.
Once you notice patterns, your provider may have you try anelimination dietto see if your symptoms improve when you stop consuming something that could be a trigger.
On this plan, you’ll cut a specific food out of your diet to see if your symptoms get better. Then, you’ll try to add the food back in later to see if your symptoms come back.
Skin Test
Askin testis the standard diagnostic tool for finding out if someone has allergies. A provider puts tiny amounts of potential allergens on your skin during a skin test.
If you might have a beer allergy, a provider would use common ingredients in beer (e.g., wheat and barley) for the test. If you are allergic to these ingredients, your skin will itch or you’ll get a rash during the test.
Blood Test
Blood tests can be used for food allergy testing. Blood tests look for antibodies to specific allergens in your blood. A large number of antibodies may signal that you have an allergy.
If you have symptoms after drinking beer and you’re not sure why, your provider can help you figure out what the problem is.
If they are not sure what is causing your symptoms, they might want you to see anallergist, a healthcare provider that specializes in allergies and asthma.
If you might have an intolerance instead of an allergy, you could see agastroenterologist, a healthcare provider specializing in digestive issues.
The only way to avoid beer allergy symptoms is to avoid drinking beer.
However, depending on the cause of your symptoms and whether you know the ingredient in beer that triggers them, you might be able to enjoy some alternatives—for example, gluten-free beer if you’re allergic to gluten.
Summary
Having a beer allergy is rare. Symptoms of an allergy or intolerance to beer may occur because you have a sensitivity to an ingredient in beer. Common allergens in beer include gluten, histamine, sulfites, and yeast.
Beer allergies and intolerances are different—allergies are an immune response and intolerances are a digestive response.
The best way to manage a beer sensitivity or allergy is to avoid drinking beer or choose beers that do not have the ingredient (like gluten) that are causing your symptoms.
Frequently Asked QuestionsWhile most food allergies occur in childhood, they may happen anytime.It is possible for a beer allergy to seemingly appear out of nowhere.Some companies market their beers as being “non-GMO,” but based on the research, it is not clear whether drinking these would prevent the development of allergies to beer ingredients or celiac disease.
Frequently Asked Questions
While most food allergies occur in childhood, they may happen anytime.It is possible for a beer allergy to seemingly appear out of nowhere.
While most food allergies occur in childhood, they may happen anytime.
It is possible for a beer allergy to seemingly appear out of nowhere.
Some companies market their beers as being “non-GMO,” but based on the research, it is not clear whether drinking these would prevent the development of allergies to beer ingredients or celiac disease.
19 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Bansal RA, Tadros S, Bansal AS.Beer, cider, and wine allergy.Case Reports Immunol.2017;2017:7958924. doi:10.1155/2017/7958924. Epub 2017 Mar 15. PMID: 28396809; PMCID: PMC5371212.Cleveland Clinic.Alcohol intolerance.American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.Food intolerance versus food allergy.American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Food allergy: overview.Fernando SL, Clarke LR.Two case reports of life-threatening ethanol-induced anaphylaxis.Case Rep Dermatol.2009 Apr 29;1(1):1-6. doi:10.1159/000209154. PMID: 20508822; PMCID: PMC2875848.Adams KE, Rans TS.Adverse reactions to alcohol and alcoholic beverages.Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. 2013;111(6):439-445. doi:10.1016/j.anai.2013.09.016Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Allergy facts and figures.Liu W, Wu Y, Wang J, et al.A meta-analysis of the prevalence of wheat allergy worldwide.Nutrients. 2023;15(7):1564. doi:10.3390/nu15071564Gupta RS, Warren CM, Smith BM, et al.Prevalence and severity of food allergies among US adults.JAMA Network Open. 2019;2(1):e185630. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.5630Sapone A, Bai JC, Ciacci C, et al.Spectrum of gluten-related disorders: consensus on new nomenclature and classification.BMC Med. 2012;10:13. doi:10.1186/1741-7015-10-13Diel S, Herwald M, Borck H, Diel F.Histamine in beer.Beer in Health and Disease Prevention. Published online 2009:317-326. doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-373891-2.00030-4Kovacova-Hanuskova E, Buday T, Gavliakova S, Plevkova J.Histamine, histamine intoxication and intolerance.Allergol Immunopathol (Madr).2015;43(5):498-506. doi:10.1016/j.aller.2015.05.001Australian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy.Sulfite sensitivity frequently asked questions (FAQ).Bansal RA, Tadros S, Bansal AS.Beer, cider, and wine allergy.Case Reports in Immunology. 2017;2017:1-4. doi:10.1155/2017/7958924Tuck CJ, Biesiekierski JR, Schmid-Grendelmeier P, Pohl D.Food intolerances.Nutrients. 2019;11(7):1684. doi:10.3390/nu11071684Mayo Clinic.Alcohol intolerance.di Palmo E, Gallucci M, Cipriani F, Bertelli L, Giannetti A, Ricci G.Asthma and food allergy: Which risks?Medicina (Kaunas).2019 Aug 21;55(9):509. doi:10.3390/medicina55090509. PMID: 31438462; PMCID: PMC6780261.MedlinePlus.Allergy blood test.Vriesekoop F.Beer and allergens. 2021;7(4):79-79. doi:10.3390/beverages7040079
19 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Bansal RA, Tadros S, Bansal AS.Beer, cider, and wine allergy.Case Reports Immunol.2017;2017:7958924. doi:10.1155/2017/7958924. Epub 2017 Mar 15. PMID: 28396809; PMCID: PMC5371212.Cleveland Clinic.Alcohol intolerance.American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.Food intolerance versus food allergy.American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Food allergy: overview.Fernando SL, Clarke LR.Two case reports of life-threatening ethanol-induced anaphylaxis.Case Rep Dermatol.2009 Apr 29;1(1):1-6. doi:10.1159/000209154. PMID: 20508822; PMCID: PMC2875848.Adams KE, Rans TS.Adverse reactions to alcohol and alcoholic beverages.Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. 2013;111(6):439-445. doi:10.1016/j.anai.2013.09.016Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Allergy facts and figures.Liu W, Wu Y, Wang J, et al.A meta-analysis of the prevalence of wheat allergy worldwide.Nutrients. 2023;15(7):1564. doi:10.3390/nu15071564Gupta RS, Warren CM, Smith BM, et al.Prevalence and severity of food allergies among US adults.JAMA Network Open. 2019;2(1):e185630. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.5630Sapone A, Bai JC, Ciacci C, et al.Spectrum of gluten-related disorders: consensus on new nomenclature and classification.BMC Med. 2012;10:13. doi:10.1186/1741-7015-10-13Diel S, Herwald M, Borck H, Diel F.Histamine in beer.Beer in Health and Disease Prevention. Published online 2009:317-326. doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-373891-2.00030-4Kovacova-Hanuskova E, Buday T, Gavliakova S, Plevkova J.Histamine, histamine intoxication and intolerance.Allergol Immunopathol (Madr).2015;43(5):498-506. doi:10.1016/j.aller.2015.05.001Australian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy.Sulfite sensitivity frequently asked questions (FAQ).Bansal RA, Tadros S, Bansal AS.Beer, cider, and wine allergy.Case Reports in Immunology. 2017;2017:1-4. doi:10.1155/2017/7958924Tuck CJ, Biesiekierski JR, Schmid-Grendelmeier P, Pohl D.Food intolerances.Nutrients. 2019;11(7):1684. doi:10.3390/nu11071684Mayo Clinic.Alcohol intolerance.di Palmo E, Gallucci M, Cipriani F, Bertelli L, Giannetti A, Ricci G.Asthma and food allergy: Which risks?Medicina (Kaunas).2019 Aug 21;55(9):509. doi:10.3390/medicina55090509. PMID: 31438462; PMCID: PMC6780261.MedlinePlus.Allergy blood test.Vriesekoop F.Beer and allergens. 2021;7(4):79-79. doi:10.3390/beverages7040079
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Bansal RA, Tadros S, Bansal AS.Beer, cider, and wine allergy.Case Reports Immunol.2017;2017:7958924. doi:10.1155/2017/7958924. Epub 2017 Mar 15. PMID: 28396809; PMCID: PMC5371212.Cleveland Clinic.Alcohol intolerance.American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.Food intolerance versus food allergy.American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Food allergy: overview.Fernando SL, Clarke LR.Two case reports of life-threatening ethanol-induced anaphylaxis.Case Rep Dermatol.2009 Apr 29;1(1):1-6. doi:10.1159/000209154. PMID: 20508822; PMCID: PMC2875848.Adams KE, Rans TS.Adverse reactions to alcohol and alcoholic beverages.Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. 2013;111(6):439-445. doi:10.1016/j.anai.2013.09.016Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Allergy facts and figures.Liu W, Wu Y, Wang J, et al.A meta-analysis of the prevalence of wheat allergy worldwide.Nutrients. 2023;15(7):1564. doi:10.3390/nu15071564Gupta RS, Warren CM, Smith BM, et al.Prevalence and severity of food allergies among US adults.JAMA Network Open. 2019;2(1):e185630. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.5630Sapone A, Bai JC, Ciacci C, et al.Spectrum of gluten-related disorders: consensus on new nomenclature and classification.BMC Med. 2012;10:13. doi:10.1186/1741-7015-10-13Diel S, Herwald M, Borck H, Diel F.Histamine in beer.Beer in Health and Disease Prevention. Published online 2009:317-326. doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-373891-2.00030-4Kovacova-Hanuskova E, Buday T, Gavliakova S, Plevkova J.Histamine, histamine intoxication and intolerance.Allergol Immunopathol (Madr).2015;43(5):498-506. doi:10.1016/j.aller.2015.05.001Australian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy.Sulfite sensitivity frequently asked questions (FAQ).Bansal RA, Tadros S, Bansal AS.Beer, cider, and wine allergy.Case Reports in Immunology. 2017;2017:1-4. doi:10.1155/2017/7958924Tuck CJ, Biesiekierski JR, Schmid-Grendelmeier P, Pohl D.Food intolerances.Nutrients. 2019;11(7):1684. doi:10.3390/nu11071684Mayo Clinic.Alcohol intolerance.di Palmo E, Gallucci M, Cipriani F, Bertelli L, Giannetti A, Ricci G.Asthma and food allergy: Which risks?Medicina (Kaunas).2019 Aug 21;55(9):509. doi:10.3390/medicina55090509. PMID: 31438462; PMCID: PMC6780261.MedlinePlus.Allergy blood test.Vriesekoop F.Beer and allergens. 2021;7(4):79-79. doi:10.3390/beverages7040079
Bansal RA, Tadros S, Bansal AS.Beer, cider, and wine allergy.Case Reports Immunol.2017;2017:7958924. doi:10.1155/2017/7958924. Epub 2017 Mar 15. PMID: 28396809; PMCID: PMC5371212.
Cleveland Clinic.Alcohol intolerance.
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.Food intolerance versus food allergy.
American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Food allergy: overview.
Fernando SL, Clarke LR.Two case reports of life-threatening ethanol-induced anaphylaxis.Case Rep Dermatol.2009 Apr 29;1(1):1-6. doi:10.1159/000209154. PMID: 20508822; PMCID: PMC2875848.
Adams KE, Rans TS.Adverse reactions to alcohol and alcoholic beverages.Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. 2013;111(6):439-445. doi:10.1016/j.anai.2013.09.016
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Allergy facts and figures.
Liu W, Wu Y, Wang J, et al.A meta-analysis of the prevalence of wheat allergy worldwide.Nutrients. 2023;15(7):1564. doi:10.3390/nu15071564
Gupta RS, Warren CM, Smith BM, et al.Prevalence and severity of food allergies among US adults.JAMA Network Open. 2019;2(1):e185630. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.5630
Sapone A, Bai JC, Ciacci C, et al.Spectrum of gluten-related disorders: consensus on new nomenclature and classification.BMC Med. 2012;10:13. doi:10.1186/1741-7015-10-13
Diel S, Herwald M, Borck H, Diel F.Histamine in beer.Beer in Health and Disease Prevention. Published online 2009:317-326. doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-373891-2.00030-4
Kovacova-Hanuskova E, Buday T, Gavliakova S, Plevkova J.Histamine, histamine intoxication and intolerance.Allergol Immunopathol (Madr).2015;43(5):498-506. doi:10.1016/j.aller.2015.05.001
Australian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy.Sulfite sensitivity frequently asked questions (FAQ).
Bansal RA, Tadros S, Bansal AS.Beer, cider, and wine allergy.Case Reports in Immunology. 2017;2017:1-4. doi:10.1155/2017/7958924
Tuck CJ, Biesiekierski JR, Schmid-Grendelmeier P, Pohl D.Food intolerances.Nutrients. 2019;11(7):1684. doi:10.3390/nu11071684
Mayo Clinic.Alcohol intolerance.
di Palmo E, Gallucci M, Cipriani F, Bertelli L, Giannetti A, Ricci G.Asthma and food allergy: Which risks?Medicina (Kaunas).2019 Aug 21;55(9):509. doi:10.3390/medicina55090509. PMID: 31438462; PMCID: PMC6780261.
MedlinePlus.Allergy blood test.
Vriesekoop F.Beer and allergens. 2021;7(4):79-79. doi:10.3390/beverages7040079
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