Beer: Lakefront Brewery New Grist Beer

I left a small part of the story out of my Redbridge shopping adventure. The store manager insisted that I buy a six pack of New Grist beer by Lakefront Brewery. He said it was gluten-free, but there was really nothing on the packaging that made it clear. Well I took a pack home and would follow-up online to confirm the gluten-free status.

Sure enough, it is gluten-free. They test every batch before they make it and before bottling for gluten. Since yesterday was the Daytona 500, we brought over a six pack of Redbridge and New Grist along with three types of bacon wrapped dates (plain, almond stuffed, and cheddar stuffed) to Peter and Billy's house.

Since I've never been a beer drinker it's almost impossible for me to review New Grist with a discerning palate. My friends tried both and they were both good, but similar. They are both ales and are similar to Samuel Adams.

It was somewhat surreal to sit down on a couch, watch NASCAR, and drink beer.

My suggestions for New Grist:

1. Get a store locator on your site ASAP

2. Put your gluten-free, celiac safe status on your packaging!

3. Add a page to your site that a person can print out and bring to their local restaurant or beer store to make it easier for them to find and stock your product.

Bought a case of Redbridge Beer

Well it's a long weekend and my friends are having a Daytona 500 party out in East Hampton. I thought it was about time for me to actually have a beer at a sporting event instead of some other beverage. I'm no longer the wine guy or the mixed drink guy.

I went the the Redbridge site which has a retailer locator, when the site first launched it didn't seem to work, it does now. I engaged in my search to locate take-out Redbridge.

The first store I called had no idea what I was talking about.

Then I tried DeCicco market and sure enough the manager hoped on the phone and said they have it. Diana and I stopped at the store on the way out to the East End. They only had six packs sitting out, but after running into the same man I spoke with on the phone I was walking out with a case.

After we safely arrived my father-in-law tried a swig and his reaction was, "it tastes like an ale, like Samuel Adams." I'll have more feedback after the Daytona 500.

Beer: Redbridge

My wife and I dined at Risotteria in NYC last night and as I asked for a gluten-free beer with my gluten-free meatball pizza the server mentioned they had Redbridge.

What a coincidence. I just blogged about it's release yesterday, I never expected it to be in the market so soon.

I've tried two other celiac safe beers, Bard's Tale and Ramapo. I would say that Redbridge is my favorite, but I must make the disclaimer that I've never drank regular beer - I have no idea if it is actually like the real thing.

My wife tried some and said it was lighter in texture than a Samuel Adams but the taste was similar. My fraternity brother dining with us thought it tasted good, but not that good.

Please try it out for yourself and let us know.

Happy Holidays!

Anheuser-Busch launches Redbridge - A gluten-free brew (beer)

"ST. LOUIS — People with wheat allergies who have stayed away from beer now have a new option. Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc. (BUD) on Wednesday introduced Redbridge, which the company called the first nationally available sorghum beer. Starting Wednesday, Redbridge is available in restaurants and stores carrying organic products."

Read the rest at - http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,237799,00.html

What I find so important about this is that a major company that made wheat based products is waking up to the untapped demand for gluten-free versions of their mainstays.

Review to come as soon as I find some in the store.

Happy Holidays!