Gluten-free beer festival is a hit

February 16, 2006: More than 1,600 drinkers attended the first ever Gluten-Free Beer Festival, staged at Chesterfield, with hosts the local branch of CAMRA.

The event was staged by both coeliacs - people who cannot digest gluten, a protein in wheat, as well as other similar proteins in barley, rye and the like - and non-sufferers of the condition, the point being that fine beers can be made without gluten content.

The first pint was ceremonially poured by one of the organisers, Dr Steve Ford, and drinkers were encouraged to write down their verdicts of the gluten-free beers.

For pictures and some of the tasting notes, click the festival website.