Gluten Free Beer now available on Carnival

I emailed Carnival asking for a list of gluten free items available on the Lido deck (since i don't like eating at the MDR). This is the response i received (notice the last sentence of the 5th paragraph):

Dear XXXXXXXXXX,

Carnival Cruise Lines is dedicated to offering a quality cruising experience for all of our guests.

Thank you for your email, in response to your enquiry, please be advised of the following for your request.

Our records show you have indicated either an allergy to Gluten or that you follow a Gluten-free diet. Accordingly, we’d like to take a moment of your time to provide you some information to ensure we are able to assist with your dietary needs while sailing with us.

Our chef’s will make every effort possible to fulfill your requests and will gladly prepare freshly made options that meet your dietary needs. However, you will need to make arrangements in advance with your headwaiter and hostess. Once onboard, we ask you speak with them so they can assist in planning your daily meals in the dining room. This will allow us the necessary time to prepare foods, as requested, in a timely manner.

Additionally, we have available gluten free bread for deli sandwiches, hamburger buns for burgers, and cake upon request. Plus, our ice-cream and yogurt are Gluten-free and we offer Gluten-free pizza at the Pizzeria, as well as, Gluten free pasta on the pasta bar (only available on the Carnival Breeze, Carnival Dream, Carnival Magic, and Carnival Sunshine). However, please keep in mind that sandwiches, burgers, and pizza are prepared fresh upon request. Therefore, they may take a little longer than regular menu items. We ask for your patience while we prepare your requested dish. We’d also like to mention we carry Gluten-free beer, Estrella Daura for your enjoyment.

Our dining staff is knowledgeable and can confidently answer any questions regarding a specific menu item. Please feel free to discuss with them your specific needs so you can determine what you can or cannot eat.

We look forward to providing you a FUN and memorable cruise vacation.

See you on board!

Sincerely,

XXXXXXXXXX

Guest Access Support

Carnival Cruise Lines XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

XXXXXXXXXX

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The bad news is that this beer contains about 2mg of gluten per bottle. The average celiac can handle about 10mg of gluten per day without issues. so 5 beers in 24hrs would be the max. Its too bad they couldn't get a sorghum based beer that would be completely safe. But at least they're trying.

Has anyone been on Carnival and seen this beer available or any other gluten free beer ?

Wow! That is fantastic ! And good to hear about the other gluten free options. I also have to abide by a G.F. diet (trust me, not by choice) and I know how difficult it is, especially when travelling. Yay Carnival !!

Are coors light and Budweiser gluten free in the US?

Thanks

I've been reading some forums about this beer and have seen many people posting that they have gotten sick from drinking this and that the test for beer is not as precise as testing food.

heres one response i copied:

*

We tested Daura using the E-Z Gluten test kit, which also uses an R5 Elisa test, and we came up with an unusual result. We had to call the E-Z Gluten people for clarification, but it turned out to be a high positive for only one of the two components (gliadin and glutenin) of gluten. Apparently Daura has been processed to remove the gliadin, but not the glutenin. Hence it made my wife sick...................

*

it may be wise to try this at home first a few times before trying it onboard. its no fun getting glutened on vacation. I will probably stay away from this and maybe send an email to Carnival asking them to stock something like RedBridge that is made by AB and easily accessible. Not the very best tasting GF beer, but it is good tasting, safe and easily available.

OMG.... you just TOTALLY MADE MY YEAR!!!

I have Celiac disease, and Daura is my absolute favorite GF beer. Previous cruises I have had to obtain a doctors note ascertaining my dietary condition and I was allowed to carry aboard 6 GF beers with me. Not much when you're on a 15 day cruise :rolleyes:

I am happy to know I will be able to just purchase it on the ship now, thanks for the info. I will be on the Breeze with my DH in February and am so excited!

Sent from my DROID4 using Forums mobile app

The Elisa test is not considered reliable by most. Gluten free should mean just that, free from gluten. I wouldn't drink Estella, and hope that CC would start carrying Redbridge.

Sent from my DROID4 using Forums mobile app

They are also going to be carrying Angry Orchard and Strongbow Ciders soon, which they advertise as gluten free.

I do not have Celiac, but keep a gluten free diet because it helps with inflammation. I do not to worry about small amounts or cross contamination, so I have it much easier than most of you. I am not a big drinker at all and the only way to buy beer in PA is by the case. I definitely wouldn't drink a case before it went bad. I am interested to see if this beer is available on the Pride in February. A beer or two on the the cruise would be a nice treat!

Angry Orchard is a alcoholic hard cider & is GF. The hubby likes it.:D

I just sent an email to specialneeds at carnival dot com explaining that this beer is not gluten free, and many don't consider gluten reduced beer safe.

I urged them to consider carrying RedBridge. (i realize there are better tasting GF beers out there but since Redbridge is so easily available and they already carry so many AB products i'm sure their distributer would have it available)

If you are GF beer drinker i would ask you to also send an email. If they see a demand for it, they may just begin stocking it.

I just sent an email to specialneeds at carnival dot com explaining that this beer is not gluten free, and many don't consider gluten reduced beer safe.

 

I urged them to consider carrying RedBridge. (i realize there are better tasting GF beers out there but since Redbridge is so easily available and they already carry so many AB products i'm sure their distributer would have it available)

 

If you are GF beer drinker i would ask you to also send an email. If they see a demand for it, they may just begin stocking it.

Just sent email on my DW's behalf. Red Bridge is the only GF beer she will drink.

Funny, but my gastroenterologist assures me that drinking Estrella Daura beer is fine for me. I have Celiac and the 3 ppm or less gluten content is far below the acceptable 20 ppm limit. Why would you email them on behalf of every other Celiac patient or gluten intolerant person to get them to stop carrying it????

I've tried Redbridge and it tastes like something you would scrape off the bottom of your shoe. Guess I will have to send my own email now.

I've tried Redbridge and it tastes like something you would scrape off the bottom of your shoe. Guess I will have to send my own email now.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! We whole heartedly agree with you. When my BF decided to take his celiacs seriously, he tried the RedBridge. After taking a sip, he actually spit it out and dumped the remaining beers down the sink.

There are other GF beers besides the Estrella that we've tried...some good, some not so good. The New Planet brands aren't too bad.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! We whole heartedly agree with you. When my BF decided to take his celiacs seriously, he tried the RedBridge. After taking a sip, he actually spit it out and dumped the remaining beers down the sink.

 

There are other GF beers besides the Estrella that we've tried...some good, some not so good. The New Planet brands aren't too bad.

Hi, Bonnie

You're welcome ;)

I haven't tried the New Planet brands yet, will keep an eye out for them, thanks!

OP did not send the letter asking them not to carry the Estralla brand, but to consider also carrying RedBridge. Each to their own, I happen to like RedBridge, and would never consider intentionally digesting gluten, whether it be under 3ppm or not.

Sent from my DROID4 using Forums mobile app

I apologize if i've upset anyone, but i've been reading a lot about these gluten reduced beer and have seen posts on forums from people that did react to them. It was not my intention to convince Carnival to stop carrying Estrella, but only to ask them to add a non barley based beer.

In a report i read from beverage-daily, it had been proven in spectrum tests that the gluten reduced beers such as Omission and Estrella still contain "substantial levels of one or more hordien proteins".

I also understand that many celiacs drink this often and never have a reaction. I drank a bottle of Omission at a restaurant and had no reaction. But just because i had no symptoms doesn't mean i wasn't doing damage.

These beers may very well be perfectly safe to drink. But until there is a more reliable test I'm just not sure. If we just trusted the Elisa test, then Bud Light, Bud Light Lime, and Corona Extra would be considered safe for celiacs as they all tested under 20ppm on the Elisa test.

In any event, if Estrella works for you and you enjoy it, I'm very happy that Carnival has it for you. But for those who would like something non-barley based I would love to have Redbridge, New Planet, Bards, etc. as an option.

FuzzHead, my apologies as I obviously misconstrued your post. I've been diagnosed Celiac for almost 3 years. I am so very strict with my diet there are days I am certain some people want to choke me :D

If I get the slightest cross contamination I am violently ill for days, sometimes hospitalized on I.V. fluids. Daura doesn't do that to me at all, and a relatively decent beer occasionally is one of my guilty pleasures. I was so excited to read they were carrying it, then freaked out and read more into your post than was there. My apologies ;)

Dee

No apology necessary. Its rare for people like us to get something like this and this is a big win. Its also difficult on forums because there is always someone who will swear they got a gluten reaction from something as innocent as a glass of water. I've read forums where people claimed to get ill from drinking vodka, but i believe that is impossible.

I usually get an immediate bloat within 20 to 30 minutes of being glutened and that was not the case when i drank Omission, but i only had one. Maybe some of us are just less sensitive? Maybe these beers are completely safe? Perhaps the people claiming to have a reaction also tried the beer while eating at a restaurant or pot luck and are assuming the beer is to blame.

I have also been GF for about 3 1/2 years and beer was the hardest thing to give up. I used to buy Guinness by the keg. I may just buy a couple 4-packs of Daura and test it out myself if i can find it. I live in a rural area so it might take me a while.

Is there a limit to how many of these are safe to drink in a 24hr period? (i'm not a lightweight)

I'm not a big beer drinker but the thought of getting a hard cider or GF beer of board on a hot day moves Carnival up a mark in my book. The only one I've tried is Redbridge (could take it or leave it) but I'll try the Daura before we leave to make sure I don't have a reaction. I doubt I'd ever drink more than 2-3 anyway so quantity isn't a real question for me.

What I did think interesting in the OP's email was that they said they have GF hamburger buns, which I've never seen on any of the almost 40 cruises we've taken. If they are anything like their bread, that hamburger should weigh in the neighborhood of 5 lbs or so and taste worse than anyone can imagine....to go with my GF beer, of course. :)

My specialist tells me 20 ppm is the "acceptable" limit within a 24 hour period. In the same breath, he scowled rather menacingly and told me not to take that as permission to knowingly consume even miniscule amounts of gluten regularly. Honestly I do my best to stay away from processed foods and choose to eat meat, vegetables and fruit and now that I've healed I get dairy too :)

I love that Carnival does such a good job of working with me each time I cruise, February on the Breeze will be my third since diagnosis. I'm gonna love it even more if I can get a good beer onboard too :D:D:D

Well, i'm one of those people that will drink 12 a day, so maybe i should stick to mixed drinks just to be safe, and just have one or two Dauras per day.

They are also going to be carrying Angry Orchard and Strongbow Ciders soon, which they advertise as gluten free.

They are gluten free. These are what I drink. Has anyone heard a definitive date for when they will start carrying these ciders?

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

They are gluten free. These are what I drink. Has anyone heard a definitive date for when they will start carrying these ciders?

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

I can't speak for any other ship, but I am just off the Paradise today, and can confirm that both Angry Orchard and Strongbow are already available. :)

I emailed Carnival asking for a list of gluten free items available on the Lido deck (since i don't like eating at the MDR). This is the response i received (notice the last sentence of the 5th paragraph):

 

Dear XXXXXXXXXX,

 

Carnival Cruise Lines is dedicated to offering a quality cruising experience for all of our guests.

 

Thank you for your email, in response to your enquiry, please be advised of the following for your request.

 

Our records show you have indicated either an allergy to Gluten or that you follow a Gluten-free diet. Accordingly, we’d like to take a moment of your time to provide you some information to ensure we are able to assist with your dietary needs while sailing with us.

 

Our chef’s will make every effort possible to fulfill your requests and will gladly prepare freshly made options that meet your dietary needs. However, you will need to make arrangements in advance with your headwaiter and hostess. Once onboard, we ask you speak with them so they can assist in planning your daily meals in the dining room. This will allow us the necessary time to prepare foods, as requested, in a timely manner.

 

Additionally, we have available gluten free bread for deli sandwiches, hamburger buns for burgers, and cake upon request. Plus, our ice-cream and yogurt are Gluten-free and we offer Gluten-free pizza at the Pizzeria, as well as, Gluten free pasta on the pasta bar (only available on the Carnival Breeze, Carnival Dream, Carnival Magic, and Carnival Sunshine). However, please keep in mind that sandwiches, burgers, and pizza are prepared fresh upon request. Therefore, they may take a little longer than regular menu items. We ask for your patience while we prepare your requested dish. We’d also like to mention we carry Gluten-free beer, Estrella Daura for your enjoyment.

 

Our dining staff is knowledgeable and can confidently answer any questions regarding a specific menu item. Please feel free to discuss with them your specific needs so you can determine what you can or cannot eat.

We look forward to providing you a FUN and memorable cruise vacation.

 

See you on board!

Sincerely,

 

XXXXXXXXXX

Guest Access Support

Carnival Cruise Lines XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

XXXXXXXXXX

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

 

 

The bad news is that this beer contains about 2mg of gluten per bottle. The average celiac can handle about 10mg of gluten per day without issues. so 5 beers in 24hrs would be the max. Its too bad they couldn't get a sorghum based beer that would be completely safe. But at least they're trying.

 

Has anyone been on Carnival and seen this beer available or any other gluten free beer ?

This post made my gluten free wife very happy :) We are leaving in two weeks!