Can Vegans Drink AlcoholÂ
You may ask yourself, “How is alcohol considered non-vegan?” and “Why is the question Can vegans drink alcohol?” Well, yes, vegans can actually drink alcohol. Beers, wines, and ciders could be considered non-vegan if products used in the filtration process, such as isinglass, gelatin, and casein, were used. Additionally, some non-vegan flavorings, such as honey, may be added, and some cocktails rely on milk and eggs.
These products, added either during the alcohol filtration process or with flavors added to suit consumer taste, basically make it non-vegan. The main ingredients in beer may include water, a grain like barley or wheat, yeast, and hops—a flower that provides beer’s distinctive, bitter taste. Yeast, which is a major ingredient in the production of alcohol, ferments and digests the sugar from the grain to produce alcohol. Yeast are fungi, which are animals; they are used in the beer manufacturing process. Now, we ask ourselves, do vegans also consider the lives of both unicellular and multicellular organisms like bacteria, viruses, and fungi? Aside from this concept, one of the major reasons why the vegan community has chosen not to consume alcoholic drinks is because of the filtering process prior to bottling, in which certain animal products might be introduced.
Can Raw Vegans Drink Alcohol?
This will be answered in very much the same way as the above paragraphs. Raw vegans can consume alcohol as long as it is a type of alcohol that is made from raw, plant-based ingredients and has not been cooked or processed. Some examples of alcohol that may be suitable for a raw vegan diet include certain types of wine, beer made with raw ingredients, and clear liquors such as vodka or gin.
The majority of alcoholic beverages we see around are filtered using isinglass, which is made from fish scales. Vegans who enjoy consuming alcohol can actually choose from vegan-friendly wines and beers. Yes, there are alcoholic beverages that are filtered without using animal products, and no animal-derived additives are added as flavors.
Alcohol For Vegans
There are alternative alcohols for vegans; it will always be noted on the drink label whether or not it is made with certain animal products. Here are a few alcoholic beverages that are considered vegan-friendly.
Beer
Many beers are vegan, as they are made from water, hops, yeast, and grains such as barley, wheat, and rice. However, some beers may contain ingredients derived from animals, such as isinglass (a type of fish bladder used to clarify the beer) or honey. To be sure that a beer is vegan, you can check the label or contact the manufacturer.
Wine
Most wines are also vegan, as they are made from grapes and other fruits. However, some wines may be clarified using animal-derived products such as egg whites or blood albumin. Again, you can check the label or contact the manufacturer to confirm whether a particular wine is vegan.
Hard alcohol
Many types of hard alcohol, such as vodka, gin, and rum, are vegan. These are usually made from grains or potatoes and do not contain any animal products. However, some hard alcohols, such as whiskey and some types of brandy, may be aged in barrels that previously held animal products, such as sherry or port.
Non-alcoholic alternatives
If you do not consume alcohol for any reason, there are many non-alcoholic alternatives available. These include non-alcoholic beer, wine, and hard alcohol, as well as other non-alcoholic beverages such as sparkling water, kombucha, and juice.
