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Why on Earth a Gluten-Free Beer Shop?

No more koffiekoeken for me!

You used to love a cold beer after work or with friends?
Are you stuck with a rosé at the BBQ now, because you don’t want your body to pay the price afterwards? I feel your pain.

Your body’s reaction stole your pint, your foam, your cheers. Sure, a cocktail with botanicals looks fancy, but let’s be honest: you wanted hops, not herbs. Furthermore there’s the usually unsuccessful hunt for gluten-free beer… Always scanning the menu at the restaurant, while everyone else has already ordered without thinking twice. I know the frustration — because I’ve been there too.

A Belgian loves a good beer. And being rather average, I do too! Whether it’s after snowboarding, a football match, or just winding down with friends on a Friday night, those little moments matter and coincidentally involve enjoying some white foam crowned, golden, bubbly goodness from time to time.

For years, I lived a good, full life. Fulltime job, lots of active hobbies, travelling (for both work and pleasure) and an outgoing social life. In 2016, I even added airline pilot training to the mix. Pretty busy, one might say, but I was always full of energy. I felt healthy and I was never sick*, until suddenly, I was and I didn’t get better.

In the fall of 2018, during a business trip in the Baltics, I got hit by mysterious flulike symptoms: constant fatigue, brain fog, zero energy. At first, I thought it was just the flu, but after months of feeling sick, tired and very weak, I kind of realized that something was not right.

Doctors were puzzled. Specialists shrugged. A few quacks tried to sel me expensive miracle cures (to no avail.). Most agreed: “It’s probably just stress, you’re overworked.” Spoiler: It wasn’t.

After three years of feeling constantly under the weather, chasing false hope, searching for clues and making frequent visits to doctors (including Dr. Google’s cabinet) I finally found the answer, supported by a very patient doctor friend:

Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity (NCGS).

Everything clicked. It turns out gluten was the culprit.

Now, here’s the fun part: NCGS doesn’t have an official biomarker (unlike celiac disease). Evidence-based medicine sometimes struggles with conditions that don’t show up on a lab test, so if you don’t have celiac disease, some doctors, especially the ones that are dogmatically devoted to evidence-based medicine, will quickly decide: “it’s all in your head.” Frustrating? Absolutely.

Back at 100% again, all thanks to going gluten-free

Anyway, I decided to completely ditch gluten from my diet. Slowly but surely, the fog lifted, I regained my strength and energy. WHAT A RELIEF THAT WAS! After three years I finally felt healthy and energetic again. Needless to say, I felt so happy. 

But there was a catch: no more koffiekoeken, no more pistolets with preparé, no more stoofvlees, no more big Macs (no fan of Bicky Burgers, sorry) and no more beer.

Turns out, luckily, gluten-free beer does exist, but apparently not readily available in Belgium, the so-called beer capital. For example, in Spain, where I travel often for work, you can find gluten-free beer in bars, restaurants, hotels, even at gas stations. Meanwhile, here in Belgium? Good luck finding it.

So, drink wine instead? Wine is for people who listen to jazz music. I prefer beer.

And that’s how the idea was born to start an online shop for gluten-free beers, so that everyone dealing with the same problem can still enjoy a cold pint. Sure, an Aperol Spritz on a sunny terrace is nice once in a while, but let’s be honest: you’d rather have a beer, right?

Doctors were puzzled, specialists shrugged, and a few quacks sold me expensive miracle cures. (to no avail, surprise!). Most agreed: “It’s probably just stress, you’re overworked.” Spoiler: It wasn’t.

After three years of feeling constantly under the weather, chasing false hope, searching for clues and making frequents visits to doctors (including Dr. Google’s cabinet) I finally found the answer (supported by a very patient doctor friend): Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity (NCGS). Everything clicked. It turns out gluten was the culprit.
Turns out, luckily, gluten-free beer does exist. But, not really in Belgium — the so-called beer capital. For example, in Spain, where I travel often for work, you can find gluten-free beer in bars, restaurants, hotels, even at gas stations. Meanwhile, here in Belgium? Good luck finding it.

I decided to try it, so I completely ditched gluten from my diet and slowly but surely, the fog lifted, I regained my strength and energy. WHAT A RELIEF THAT WAS! After 3 years I finally felt healthy & energetic again. Needless to say, I felt so happy. But there was a catch: no more koffiekoeken, no more pistolets with preparé, no more stoofvlees, no more big Macs (no fan of Bicky Burgers, sorry) and no more beer. 

So, drink wine instead? Wine is for people who listen to jazz music. I prefer beer.

Back at 100% again, all thanks to going gluten-free

That’s how  GLUTEN TAG came to life. Therefore I gladly welcome you to this dedicated one-stop shop for tasty gluten-free beers.

GLUTEN TAG is for all the people out there who’ve been through the same struggle. For everyone who misses the simple joy of a pint with friends — and deserves to enjoy it again without suffering afterwards (well… apart from the hangover, that part we can’t fix 😅). 

And remember:
No gluten, very guten!

&

Drink responsibly or choose one of our alcohol-free options!

Cheers!

* footnote:
…I was never sick*: In hindsight, I was all the time, just only digestive problems. it suddenly became clear why, before 2018 I spent so much time on the toilet that my colleagues thought I was working a side job as a plumber. More than once, they thought I had gone AWOL and wanted to put me on trial for desertion in the line of duty. Spoiler: Time spent on the toilet since going gluten free: mainly checking Instagram. No more digestive discomfort… 

Curious about what
we have in store?

Have a look and see for yourself, there is no such thing as a boring gluten-free beer!

Our Beershop

Hear from our fellow gluten-free fanatics

״Finally we can enjoy a wide range of gluten-free beers from the comfort of our home. All of the products are sustainable. The delivery is really quick, and the service is warm and friendly!״

Julie Moors

״The beer selection is really amazing here. I was searching for this kind a gluten-free shop for a long time. This shop is a great fit for people with allergy and dietary limitations, strongly recommended!״

Brian De Keyser

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