Raise a glass to your ethical values! In this comprehensive guide, we’ll teach you how to read wine and beer labels like a pro. Soon, you’ll be sipping your favorite vegan-friendly beverages without a care in the world. Cheers to that!
What Does Vegan Mean for Wine and Beer?
When we say “vegan” in relation to wine and beer, we mean that no animal products were used during the production process. This includes both the growing of the grapes or hops and the fermentation and aging of the beverages.
Unfortunately, some winemakers and brewers use animal-derived ingredients or processes to clarify or enhance the flavors of their drinks. As a vegan, you’ll want to avoid these.
To help you navigate the world of vegan-friendly alcohol, we’ve created this handy guide. Read on to learn how to spot vegan wines and beers on the shelf, what to look for on the label, and even where to find the best bottles.
So, grab your favorite glass and get ready to learn all about vegan wine and beer!
Common Non-Vegan Ingredients in Alcoholic Beverages
Before we dive into the world of vegan-friendly alcohol, it’s important to know what to avoid. Here are some common non-vegan ingredients that may be used in wine or beer production:
- Egg whites: Used for clarification, particularly in Champagne
- Fish bladder membranes (isinglass): Used for fining or clarification in beer and wine
- Animal bones: Used to make “bone dry” wines, as the bones are crushed and the marrow is extracted
- Milk and dairy products: Used in some specialty beers and occasionally in wine
As a vegan, you’ll want to avoid all of these ingredients.
Why Is Vegan Certification Important?
With so many potential non-vegan ingredients in alcohol production, it’s crucial to know that what you’re drinking is indeed vegan-friendly. That’s where vegan certification comes in.
There are several organizations that offer vegan certification for food and drink products, including the Vegan Society, Vegan Action, and Animal Free Certified. When you see one of these logos on a bottle of wine or beer, you can be confident that the product is vegan.
However, not all wine or beer brands opt for certification. In those cases, you’ll need to check the label and ingredient list yourself.
Decoding Vegan Wine Labels
When it comes to wine, there are a few key things to look for on the label to determine if it’s vegan-friendly:
- Scan the label for any of the vegan certification logos mentioned earlier. If you see one, you’re good to go!
- If there’s no certification logo, take a look at the wine’s origin. Some countries, like Italy and Portugal, are known for using animal products in their wine production. However, this isn’t always the case. If the wine is from a country with a high likelihood of non-vegan practices, you may want to do some additional research or contact the winery directly.
- If the wine is organic or biodynamic, it’s more likely to be vegan. However, this isn’t always the case, so it’s still important to double-check the ingredients.
Now, let’s talk about how wine is made and what you should look for when reading the ingredient list. Wine is typically made from three main components: grapes, yeast, and water. That’s it! No animal products are necessary for wine production, so if you see anything other than these three items on the label, it’s likely non-vegan.
Some winemakers may add sulfites as a preservative. Sulfites are naturally occurring in wine, but additional sulfites may be added during the fermentation process. Sulfites can be derived from animal sources (like bones), but most are plant-based. So, while it’s not necessarily a red flag, it’s worth checking the source of the sulfites.
As a general rule, most red wines and some white wines are vegan-friendly because they don’t require the same level of clarification as other types of wine. However, there are some vegan-friendly Champagnes and white wines out there, so it’s always best to double-check.
Here are some common vegan-friendly wine production practices:
- Using plant-based fining agents instead of animal-derived ones
- Avoiding the use of egg whites for clarification
- Using a “cold stabilization” process instead of adding animal-derived products to the wine to prevent crystallization
Some popular vegan-friendly wine varietals include:
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Merlot
- Pinot Noir
- Zinfandel
- Syrah / Shiraz
- Grenache
- Malbec
- Cabernet Franc
- Sangiovese
- Tempranillo
- Mourvedre
And here are some recommended vegan wine brands:
- Fetzer Vineyards
- Bonterra Organic Vineyards
- J Wong Fu
- Ravenswood Winery
- Bogle Vineyards
- J Lohr Vineyards and Wines
- Robert Mondavi Winery
- The Organic Wine Company
- Terra d’Oro Winery
- Casillero del Diablo
Navigating Vegan Beer Labels
Beer labels can be a bit trickier to decipher than wine labels due to the wider variety of ingredients and production methods used. However, there are some general guidelines to follow when looking for vegan-friendly beer:
- Scan the label for any of the vegan certification logos mentioned earlier. If you see one, you’re good to go!
- Check the beer’s origin. Some countries, like Ireland and the UK, are known for using animal products in their beer production. If the beer is from one of these countries, you may want to do some additional research or contact the brewery directly.
- Look for beer styles that are known to be vegan, such as most pale ales, IPAs, stouts, porters, and lagers.
Beer is typically made from four main components: malted barley, water, yeast, and hops. That’s it! No animal products are necessary for beer production. However, some brewers may use animal-derived ingredients or processes.
To ensure your beer is vegan, you’ll want to avoid beers that are:
- Brewed with animal products, like milk stouts or honey beers
- Filtered or clarified with animal products, like isinglass (a type of fish bladder membrane) or egg whites
Some brewers may use bone char in the production of activated charcoal, which is sometimes used to filter beer. However, most brewers now use plant-based sources for charcoal. If you’re unsure, you can contact the brewery to ask.
There are some vegan-friendly beer production practices, including:
- Using plant-based fining agents instead of animal-derived ones
- Avoiding the use of egg whites for clarification
- Using a “cold crash” process instead of adding animal-derived products to the beer to prevent haze
Some popular vegan-friendly beer styles include:
- Pale Ale
- India Pale Ale (IPA)
- Stout
- Porter
- Lager
- Saison
- Belgian Dubbel
- Belgian Tripel
And here are some recommended vegan beer brands:
- New Belgium Brewing
- 21st Amendment Brewery
- Rogue Ales
- Lagunitas Brewing Company
- Boulevard Brewing Company
- Brooklyn Brewery
- Magic Hat Brewing Company
- Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
- Fat Tire Brewery
- Green Flash Brewing Co.
Buying and Enjoying Vegan Wines and Beers
Now that you know how to spot vegan-friendly wine and beer labels, it’s time to go out and find some!
If you’re shopping at a specialty store or online retailer, you should have no trouble finding vegan options. Simply look for the certification logos we discussed earlier or check the ingredients as we outlined above.
At restaurants and bars, it can be a bit more challenging to find vegan wine and beer. Your best bet is to ask your server or bartender if they have any vegan options. Many restaurants and bars now carry vegan wine and beer, but they may not advertise it. Don’t be afraid to ask!
When it comes to tasting and pairing vegan wines and beers, the sky’s the limit! While some non-vegan wines and beers are aged or clarified with animal products specifically to enhance their flavors, most vegan-friendly wines and beers rely on their natural flavors and don’t need any extra help. This can make them a bit more challenging to pair with food, but it also means that they’re delicious on their own.
For cheese-free charcuterie boards, try pairing vegan wines with vegan cheeses, salami, and olives. For vegan beers, consider pairing them with vegan burgers, sausages, or wings.
And there you have it! You now know how to read wine and beer labels, spot vegan-friendly options, and even pair them with food. So, go forth and enjoy all the delicious vegan wines and beers the world has to offer!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common non-vegan ingredients in wine and beer?
The most common non-vegan ingredients in wine are egg whites and fish bladder membranes (isinglass). In beer, egg whites, milk, and fish bladder membranes (isinglass) are commonly used.
How can I tell if a wine or beer is vegan?
To determine if a wine or beer is vegan, look for vegan certification logos on the label. If there isn’t a logo, you’ll need to check the ingredient list. Wine should only contain grapes, yeast, and water, while beer should only contain malted barley, water, yeast, and hops. If there are any other ingredients, they may be non-vegan.
What are some common vegan-friendly wine production practices?
Some common vegan-friendly wine production practices include using plant-based fining agents instead of animal-derived ones, avoiding the use of egg whites for clarification, and using a “cold stabilization” process instead of adding animal-derived products to the wine to prevent crystallization.
What are some common vegan-friendly beer production practices?
Some common vegan-friendly beer production practices include using plant-based fining agents instead of animal-derived ones, avoiding the use of egg whites for clarification, and using a “cold crash” process instead of adding animal-derived products to the beer to prevent haze.
What are some popular vegan-friendly wine varietals?
Some popular vegan-friendly wine varietals include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Syrah / Shiraz, Grenache, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Sangiovese, and Tempranillo.
What are some popular vegan-friendly beer styles?
Some popular vegan-friendly beer styles include Pale Ale, India Pale Ale (IPA), Stout, Porter, Lager, Saison, Belgian Dubbel, and Belgian Tripel.
Where can I find vegan wine and beer?
You can find vegan wine and beer at specialty stores and online retailers. Simply look for the certification logos we discussed earlier or check the ingredients as we outlined above. At restaurants and bars, you’ll need to ask your server or bartender if they have any vegan options.
How do I pair vegan wines and beers with food?
For cheese-free charcuterie boards, try pairing vegan wines with vegan cheeses, salami, and olives. For vegan beers, consider pairing them with vegan burgers, sausages, or wings.