What is it?
Brewers Clarex™ is an enzyme which contains a proline-specific endo-protease that prevents the formation of chill haze in beer by hydrolyzing the haze-active proteins in the beverage. It’s also the enzyme used to produce most of the gluten reduced beers you see on the market today.
The Science Behind It
“Brewer’s Clarex is an enzyme that degrades the epitopes on the antigen which causes the immune response known as Celiac disease. By degrading the responsible epitopes, the antigen is rendered harmless because there is no longer anything to interact with the human immune system. The epitopes are the section of the antigen that interact with the antibodies in people’s immune systems. To put it another way, consider a sea urchin. Now think of the sea urchin as an antigen and the spikes of the urchin to be the epitope. The prolyl endoprotease (Brewer’s Clarex™) melts the spikes off of the urchin turning it into a simple, harmless tasty delicacy. Now the body is able to digest the antigen without harm.”
(https://www.shortsbrewing.com)
In a Nutshell
Brewers Clarex™ is an enzyme that was originally developed to prevent haze in beer, but researchers have since found that it possesses a secret power. The power to neutralize gluten in beer, rendering it safe to drink for many gluten sensitive individuals.
Are gluten reduced beers safe for Celiacs?
The short answer is, no. Ideally, those who battle Celiac Disease should have zero gluten in their diet. The safest choice for a Celiac is to drink a gluten free beer, a beer that was brewed with entirely gluten free ingredients to begin with, resulting in no need for an enzyme such as Brewers Clarex™. That being said, many people who should avoid gluten entirely, cheat sometimes. It’s a fact. In this case, a gluten reduced beer is your next best alternative.
Gluten Free vs. Gluten Reduced
Truly gluten free beers - such as The GT, Swell's Gluten Free Rice Lager - are brewed with 100% gluten free ingredients, often substituting wheat and barley with grains such as sorghum or brown rice. These beers are the safest choice for the most sensitive of Celiacs.
Australia has the strictest legislation in regard to ‘gluten free’ claims, with no detectable gluten being the only acceptable result. Low gluten products are required to keep their gluten content below 200ppm (parts per million), however our gluten reduced beers have a gluten content below 10ppm (parts per million). This does mean that our gluten reduced beers have some trace of gluten and therefore possess the ability to trigger an immune response in a gluten intolerant individual.
Our Gluten Reduced Beers
Please see below for an up to date list of Swell beers that are gluten reduced;
• Pale Ale
• Small Swell Mid-Strength Ale
• McLaren Vale Premium Draught
• Winter Sessions Foreign Export Stout
• Autumn Sessions American Red Ale
• Summer Sessions Single Hop Session Ale
• Best Coast West Coast IPA
• Dominical Express Choc Hazelnut Porter
• Salmon Creek Red IPA
• Manu Bay NZ Pale Ale
• Spring Sessions American Pale Ale
• Duck Dive Orange & Mango Sour
• Turtle Roll Peach & Passionfruit Sour