Expert: Ed Westemeier - 8/26/2006

Question
i have an allergy to malt - is there any alcaholic drink that is malt free?

Answer
I am not a doctor, but I think you need to ask your own doctor exactly what you are allergic to. It can't be malt, because "malt" just refers to a process where grain is soaked in water, allowed to start sprouting, then dried with heat. Different grains can be malted. Usually, in making beer or other alcoholic beverages, barley is used, but wheat is the next most common grain for malting.

There is one disease, for example, that seems to involve a reaction to some elements in both barley and wheat, and there are beers made without those grains, but I don't know if that's your situation. Please consult your doctor and find out what your situation is.