BrewDog launches gluten-free beer

The 4.4% ABV Vagabond Pale Ale will be added to the brewer’s Headliners range after it won a taste-test competition as part of BrewDog’s 2014 Prototype Challenge, beating three other beers containing gluten. It is made with Centennial and Amarillo hops to “pack an intense citrus bitterness”.

BrewDog said the ‘V’ sign ordering technique is part of a tongue-in-cheek campaign to be “intolerant of gluten intolerance” and “other substandard gluten-free products on the market”. It has invited drinkers to share in its zero tolerance using the hashtag #VforVagabond.

James Watt, co-founder of BrewDog, said: “BrewDog exists to make everyone as passionate about beer as we are – so we are always pushing the limits of brewing to expand the horizons of craft beer.

“Gluten free products have become synonymous with underwhelming flavour and experience, so we wanted to prove that a gluten free beer didn’t need to lack the bold taste and texture of a craft beer. With Vagabond, there is finally a gluten free craft beer that tastes like it should.

“We are showing zero tolerance to gluten intolerance and any intolerance of that is something we will simply not tolerate.”