Heineken Light

Beer: Heineken Light

Style: Pale Lager

Brewing location: Heineken Brouwerijen B.V., Amsterdam, Holland

Originating country: Holland

Alcohol by Volume: 3.3% 

Ingredients: purified water, malted barley, hops, yeast

Format tested: 12 oz bottle purchased in Los Angeles, CA

Beeradvocate rating: 57/100

Test kit: E-Z Gluten

Miscellaneous 

• Heineken Light is produced solely for the US market
• Heineken Light 12 oz bottle has 99 calories and 3.3% ABV. Regular Heineken has 150 calories and 5% ABV.
• Heineken Light US sales declined 36.7% between 2007 and 2012

Test results photo

Test result

Very High Positive at 20 parts per million (ppm), meaning it is well over 20 ppm. Though standards vary from country to country, according to the FDA, "in order to use the term 'gluten free' on its label a food must meet all the requirements of the definition, including that the food must contain less than 20 ppm gluten". It is said that products with a gluten content below 20 ppm are suitable for people with celiac disease.

My experience drinking Heineken Light

In my opinion this is the best tasting light beer out there, bar none. So I hope it stays on the market despite declining sales. I am not sure where I fall in the gluten tolerance spectrum. I definitely know what it feels like to be "glutened" i.e. gluten exposure, but I have not deliberately pushed my gluten consumption limits with any food or beer. I have consumed 3 x 12 oz bottles of Heineken Light over a 3-4 hour period (drinking nothing else) without experiencing any kind of gluten reaction. Failing the 20 ppm test is a disappointing result for celiacs given that most US domestic light beers appear to be well below the tolerated 20 ppm gluten level.