There’s nothing like a cold beer on a hot summer day. It’s one of those simple pleasures I’ve always enjoyed. But during a recent summer afternoon, a curious thought popped into my head: Is alcohol even vegan?
It’s strange how we often pay attention to every little detail in our food, but our drinks? Not so much. And as someone trying to be more mindful of what I consume, this became a question I couldn’t ignore.
The truth is that while many alcoholic beverages like wine and beer are animal-free, they may have been filtered with animal derivates— a process that varies drastically from one manufacturer to the next.
It’s also worth noting that some distilled spirits incorporate ingredients like dairy or honey for flavor and texture, as seen in liquors such as Bailey’s and Kahlua.
If you want to learn more about why some alcoholic drinks are not vegan, and how to make sure you’re consuming ones that are animal-free, read on.
Why Aren’t Alcoholic Drinks Always Vegan?
The basic ingredients for most alcoholic drinks like beer, wine, and spirits are plants, namely grains, grapes, fruits, and other botanicals.
From this perspective, one might think that all alcoholic drinks are inherently vegan.
However, the issue arises from the additives and processing aids used during production, more specifically the fining process.
Fining is a process in the production of many wines and some beers that basically serves to clarify the liquid, and improve its appearance, stability, and in some cases, taste.
For this process, fining agents are used, which work based on the principle of opposite charges attracting. The suspended particles in wine or beer usually have a specific charge, either positive or negative.
Fining agents, having the opposite charge, are introduced to attract and bind with these particles. Once bound, they form larger clumps, which are heavier and settle to the bottom, making them easier to remove.
Here are some of the fining agents that might be used for this process:
Isinglass: Derived from fish bladders and has been used for centuries. It’s particularly popular in clarifying beer.
Gelatin: Extracted from animal bones and connective tissues. It’s a common fining agent for wines.
Casein: A milk protein used especially for wines.
Chitin: A natural substance — like gelatin, collagen, rubber, silk or wool — made from the shells of crustaceans such as lobsters and shrimp.
Albumin: Found in egg whites, it’s also used in some wines.
Bentonite: A clay-based fining agent that’s vegan-friendly and used primarily in wines.
Activated charcoal: Used occasionally, especially when there’s a need to remove specific off-flavors or colors.
As you can see, many of the fining agents are animal-derived.
Fortunately, winemakers are transitioning away from animal-sourced fining agents in favor of bentonite.
This shift is driven by regulations in regions like the EU, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, which require labeling if trace amounts of recognized allergens (including certain animal-based agents) are present.
As a result, the cost implications of using animal-derived fining techniques are pushing winemakers towards alternative methods.
Be Careful With Distilled Spirits
Unlike wines and beers, which primarily concern themselves with clarity and appearance, distilled drinks such as liquor, gin, and vodka may integrate ingredients for flavor, mouthfeel, and sweetness.
Take, for example, cream-based liqueurs like Bailey’s and Kahlua; their primary appeal lies in their dairy richness, making them intrinsically non-vegan. Additionally, some colored spirits might use cochineal, a dye sourced from insects, to achieve their vibrant hue, while others might add a hint of honey.
The good news is that it’s easier to figure out whether these beverages have animal ingredients— simply because they must have it listed on the label. And as we’ve seen, that’s not the case for alcoholic beverages that have been processed with fining agents derived from animals.
How To Make Sure Your Alcohol Is Vegan-Friendly
Yeah, alcoholic beverages are a bit tricky given the variety of ingredients that can be used during processing and those that are actually part of the drink.
If you want to ensure your alcohol is vegan-friendly, here are some things you can do:
1. Check Labels Diligently: While not all alcoholic beverages list their fining agents, many will list flavor additives. Always scan the ingredients for any animal-derived components. If you can’t find them on the label, you can usually find them online in the respective brand’s website.
3. Use Vegan Alcohol Directories: There are several online directories and databases dedicated to cataloging vegan and non-vegan alcoholic beverages. Websites like Barnivore offer an extensive list of vegan alcoholic drinks, updated by a community of users.
4. Use Mobile Apps: There are several mobile apps available that can scan barcodes or allow you to search for a product to determine its vegan status. Some popular choices include “Is it Vegan?” and “VeggieBeers”.
5. Contact Manufacturers Directly: If you’re in doubt about a particular product, reaching out to the manufacturer can provide clarity. Most companies are receptive to consumer inquiries and can offer insights into their production processes. In fact, that’s how Barnivore gathers all the information in their database— it’s all done manually with a team of outreach agents.
6. Prioritize Transparency: Some forward-thinking brands, recognizing the growing vegan movement, have started labeling their products as “vegan-friendly” or have acquired vegan certifications. These make for hassle-free choices.
7. DIY Approach: For those who enjoy crafting their drinks, consider making homemade versions of your favorite alcoholic beverages. This not only ensures that all ingredients are vegan but also allows for personalization to taste.
8. Advocate for Clarity: As a consumer, you have the power to push for change. Encouraging companies to label their products more transparently can pave the way for easier choices for all vegans in the future. Clarity often comes from having enough people contacting these companies en masse.
9. Local and Organic Can Be a Good Bet: Often, smaller craft breweries and local winemakers use traditional methods that skip animal-derived fining agents. Organic wines, for instance, typically avoid synthetic additives and may also avoid animal-derived products. However, always check and confirm.
These are just some of the few things you can do to make sure you’re sipping on some cruelty-free booze.
Example of Vegan-Friendly Alcohol
Beers
The following are some of the world’s best-selling beers, and they’re all considered suitable for vegans:
- Budweiser and Bud Light (USA)
- Coors and Coors Light (USA)
- Miller Lite, High Life, and Genuine Draft (USA)
- Heineken (Netherlands)
- Beck’s (Germany)
- Corona (Mexico)
- Pacifico (Mexico)
- Skol (Brazil)
- Tsingtao (China)
- Snow (China)
- Harbin (China)
Wines
If you don’t feel like researching vegan wines on Barnivore, here are some widely-distributed brands near you:
- Charles Shaw from Trader Joe’s (red wines only)
- Frey Vineyards
- Lumos Wine
- The Vegan Vine
- Red Truck Wines
- Josh Cellars
- Bogle
- Argyle
- Le Grand Noir
- Macari
- Stag Hollow
Spirits
There are plenty of vegan spirits to go around, but here are a few to get you started:
- Tia Maria
- Absolut Vodka
- Aperol
- Aviation Gin
- Don Julio Tequila
- Hendrick’s Gin
- Maker’s Mark Whiskey
- Grey Goose Vodka
- Pimm’s Gin
- Bom Bom Liqueur
- Besos de Oro Brandy & Horchata
If you’d like free access to a longer list of alcoholic beverages, then just visit Barnivore, as they have a way more extensive list of beverages at your disposal.
Conclusion
Even though animal ingredients can often be used in the processing of beer and wine, and are even used to flavor distilled spirits, that’s not the case for every brand.
Nowadays, fortunately, it’s easy to find out whether a certain brand is vegan or not thanks to resources like Barnivore that allow you to search for any alcoholic beverage and quickly find its vegan status.
With that being said, we’ve listed a few brands of vegan beers, wines, and spirits, so if you’re looking to get something quick, refer to the brands we’ve mentioned. 🙂
