Dark Celia Gluten-Free Premium Czech Dark Lager Review

Reviewed by Colin Hewitt

A few days ago I was sent some bottles of beer to review (I know, it’s a terrible job, but someone’s got to do it). The beer I sampled was a gluten-free, Celia Dark Lager, (330ml bottle, 5.7% vol, gluten content <0.5mg/100ml), brewed by the Czech brewery Žatecky, based within a former royal castle in Žatec.

Over the past few years, there has been a significant increase in demand for gluten-free alcoholic drinks. Whatever the reasons for choosing such a lager, be it a medical condition or just, like myself, a lifestyle choice, the resultant product still needs to taste good.

Celia Dark is a smooth, dense, almost black, robust lager. It has a rich, heady taste of nuts with a slight hint of coffee (pumpernickel rye bread, and toffee also sprang to mind). The beer was equally gorgeous with or without food.

Although I am usually an ale drinker (stouts, porters or rubies are my favourites), I thoroughly enjoyed Celia Dark Lager. The beer is naturally carbonated without any additional carbon dioxide, however for my personal taste, it was slightly too fizzy; but I simply let it stand for five minutes or so, and then it was perfect. I’m pleased to say that, at last, there is a gluten-free beer on the market that packs a punch.

This beer is vegan friendly, and whilst Žatecky state that Celia is suitable for coeliacs (<5 ppm of gluten), I must emphasise that I don’t have a medical condition which prevents me consuming gluten, therefore if you do, or if you’re considering purchasing some bottles for someone who does, I would highly recommend a visit to the brewers website. There you will find a full list of ingredients, and a description of how the gluten is removed during the brewing process, it also has some excellent recipe ideas.

I think this product would make an ideal Christmas gift for a beer, or lager, drinker. I’ve already dropped a few hints to Santa (although I think I might be purchasing a few more bottles before the sleigh arrives).

A highly recommended 5 out of 5.

Rating: 5/5

For more information, to buy online or find a stockist visit www.celialager.co.uk.