A&W and Other Brands of Gluten-Free Root Beer

Celiac.com 07/20/2023 - We get a lot of questions from celiac community members wondering if certain products are gluten-free. We especially get a lot of questions about beverages, like soft drinks and other non-alcoholic drinks, and specifically, questions about soft drinks.

We've done articles on whether soft drinks are gluten-free and safe for people with celiac disease. Nearly all commercially available soft drinks are gluten-free and safe for people with celiac disease.

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We've done articles on brands of gluten-free soft drinks, like Pepsi, Coke, Dr Pepper, etc., but still the questions come. Most recently, we've gotten a number of questions about root beer, specifically, A&W Root Beer.
The answer is that most soft drinks are made with carbonated water, sugar, flavorings and preservatives. Very few soft drinks contain any gluten ingredients, and, if they contain wheat, those ingredients will be labeled as allergens, by law.

Nearly all major soft drinks are made without gluten ingredients. That means that unless a soft drink lists gluten, or wheat as an allergen or ingredient on the label, it is likely gluten-free. Still, it's not all that common to see a gluten-free label on soft drinks that are, in fact, gluten-free.  This includes root beers, like A&W. A&W Root Beer is considered naturally gluten-free and safe for people with celiac disease.

Brands of Root Beer Considered Naturally Gluten-Free and Safe for People with Celiac Disease

A&W Root Beer
All A&W Root Beer flavors are considered naturally gluten-free, including:

• A&W Original Root Beer
• A&W Diet Root Beer
• A&W 10
• A&W Cream Soda
• Diet Cream Soda

Barq's
Made by the Coca-Cola company, all Barq's products are considered gluten-free in both the U.S. and Canada.

• Barq's Root Beer
• Barq's Diet Root Beer

Bundaberg
Bundaberg Root Beer
The alternative styling of the Bundaberg Root Beer is brewed with sarsaparilla root, ground ginger and molasses, among other ingredients, to deliver that uniquely raw flavor.

Dad's
Since 1937, Dad's Root Beer has been the go to brew for hardcore root beer fans.

IBC
IBC uses pure cane sugar for a lightly sweet brew that balances its rich down-to-earth sarsaparilla flavor.

Mug Root Beer
Mug Root Beer
Made by Pepsi, both Mug and Mug Cream Root Beer are considered gluten-free.

Sioux City
Sioux City
Sioux City will transport you right to the Old West. 

Sprecher Brewing Co.
Sprecher Brewing Co. fire-brews their root beer with raw honey for an amazing flavor that has earned legions of fans.

Stewart's
Stewart's has been making delicious authentic root beer since 1924.

Virgil's 
Virgil's all-natural root beer never contains artificial coloring, preservatives or GMOs. 

This list is of course incomplete. There are dozens of other root beer brands that are considered gluten-free and safe for people with celiac disease. Did we miss a favorite root beer? Share it in the comments below.