Newcastle Brown Ale is one of the most popular Ales available. In the US it is among the Top 10 of the imported beer brands and #3 of the best selling bottled Ales in the UK. Well, I am not a big fan of Ales but I gave it a try again. And again I realised I prefer Lager or Pilsener style beers. Anyway, there are many Ale lovers out there and those who are sensitive to gluten might appreciate the gluten test result below.
Beer: Newcastle Brown Ale
Producer: John Smith’s Brewery
Originating country: UK
Brewing location: UK
Bottle size: 0.55 l = approx. 19 Oz.
Alcohol by volume: 4.7%
Ingredients: water, malted barley, glucose syrup, torrefied wheat, colour: caramel, hops
Miscellaneous: –
Test Kit: GlutenTox Home Kit
I tested with a threshold of 5 ppm. The limit of detection depends on the number of drops taken from the extraction solution, please find some more information here.
Test result: A clearly visible red line appears on the right of the test stick ( T ). This indicates the presence of gluten equal to or above 5 ppm. The blue line on the left test area ( C ) is a control line and indicates that the extract/sample is suitable, the test has been performed correctly and all reagents are active. Even though this test is positive please note it is not a medical advice – see my facts page.
Beanny Jim
Ah, too bad. Would have been a good one to add to the list!
Dogbite Williams
It contains wheat, so it’s no surprise that it’s not low gluten.
Steffen
Absolutely right, this is also my experience. Gluten concentration in wheat and barley is very different. I stick with the barley beers 😉
Chet
Is 20ppm the threshold we are interested? Testing positive at 5ppm still leaves us wondering if the beer is actually low in gluten. Would it make more sense to start at 20ppm and then test for lower levels if the beer first passes the 20ppm test?
Steffen
Hi Chet, from experience I can tell you that wheat containing beers always have more than 20 ppm. By default I test on the 5 ppm level but I can not always use more than one test kit for one beer, this gets too expensive. And Newcastle is a beer which I actually don’t really like and so I don’t want to waste my kits. I hope you can understand this. As it contains wheat I would not recommend it for Coeliacs. Cheers Steffen
Mary
Saying ‘Hello Steffen’ from the Saint Croix Valley, in Wisconsin. I thank you for your work, your passionate work. I have a question. I wondered, if this test for Newcastle is only around 5ppm’s, that’s not very high, is it? This should be drinkable? Or am I reading it wrong? You have given me great info that makes me want to drink Guinness again if it is only between 20 and 30. So, is this 5 related to and less than the 20 – 30 as it looks? Thank you, Mary
Steffen
Hi Mary, thanks for the kind words. This test kit works with thresholds, it means the test result is equal to or above(!) 5 ppm. Most likely far above 5 ppm as Newcastle contains wheat. Normally 5 ppm is considered gluten free here in Europe (everything below 20 ppm is gluten free) but it is more strict in the U.S.
The 5 ppm threshold has breached in this test and if I would test it again on e.g. 20 or 40 ppm I assume the threshold would be breached too. Hope it helps.
Cheers Steffen
Mary
Thanks Steffen. I have added your website to mine. Helpful for my clients looking for wellness. Best, Mary
Paul Reed
Awesome work! Thanks