One thing you learn when going vegan is the prevalence of animal products. Sometimes, it makes sense - you can’t have a steak pie without beef. But bone marrow in wine - is that necessary? No is the answer, which is good news for thirsty vegans.
Vegan alcohols are increasingly accessible and affordable. Some alcoholic brews have always been vegan and are just starting to shout about it, while others, like Guinness, have updated their brewing process in recent years to remove the needless use of animal products. In other cases, new breweries have been established that focus on eco-friendly practices and plant-based products.
Whether you’re a vegan looking for a new favourite tipple, or someone hunting for a gift for your plant-based buddy, here is a list of the best vegan-friendly beer, wine and spirits. Whichever you go for, it’s going to be tasty (we were lucky enough to taste them all, so we know what we’re talking about).
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Related: The best home-brew kits | The best vegan gifts
The best vegan beers: Tried, tested and recommended
1.
Guinness
Recommended
Description
After a long history of using animal products in its brewing process, Guinness has finally removed them, making Ireland's favourite stout a vegan-friendly delight.
Recommended
Description
One of the biggest names in the IPA revolution, Brewdog like to do things differently; they brew one of the tastiest pale ales on the market and adhere to carbon-neutral practices. We also recommend: Brewdog Elvis Juice
3.
Camden Hells
Recommended
Description
London-based brewer Camden combines Helles and Pilsner hops to create an incredibly drinkable beer and fresh beer. We also recommend: Camden Week Nite
honestbrew.co.uk
Description
Easy to drink for vegans who like a little fresh zing in their beer, Neck Oil is a tasty session beer good all year round. We also recommend: Beavertown Gamma Ray American Pale Ale
Recommended
Description
Smooth, light and flavourful, Longboard Island is a delicious drink for vegans. It stands up as a session beer or as an accompaniment to food. We also recommend: Kona Big Wave Golden Ale
6.
Peroni Lager
www.drinksupermarket.com
Description
One of the best exports to come out of Italy (and thatu2019s saying something), Peroni is vegan! A smooth and drinkable lager thatu2019s perfect to have with food or chilled with a summer barbecue.
Recommended
Description
Donu2019t be fooled by the small bottles. This strong ale from Belgian brewery Duvel packs in all the flavour you need.
Popular favourites: Budweiser, Coors Light, Heineken, Beck’s, Corona
Okay, maybe beverage elitists might not care so much about these popular picks, but these ever-so-drinkable and accessible beers are all vegan-friendly. These are great to get in for get-togethers.
Popular vegan favourites
1 of 5Heineken
5 of 5Beck’s
The best vegan wine: Tried, tested and recommended
Description
This La Gioiosa Rosea Brut tastes amazing, with a subtle and light flavour. The bubbles aren't intense in the slightest - and this drink went down well. We all loved it - and wanted more of it! As well as Amazon, you can grab this vegan sparkling rose at Ocado, Teco, Morrisons and more. It's fresh, fruity and makes such a pleasant tipple.
Not a fan of rosé? Award-winning La Gioiosa has a regular prosecco - which also tastes fruity and amazing.
Our pick
seachangewine.com
Description
Sea Change Otter Label range is delicious. The Chardonnay is delicate, light and fruity. The red Bobal is bursting with strong tannins and a dark fruit vibrancy. Sea Change also aligns with other valuable causes: it doesnu2019t use plastics in its packaging and a portion of the sale goes directly to fund ocean conservation projects and charities.
Great Choice
Description
An award-winning Shiraz that is warm, dark and fruity. It also has a pleasant spice finish. For meals, it's best paired with deep flavours and spicy cuisine.
Recommended
Description
Delicate, dry and refreshing, the Domaine Coulombaud is pressed to please. Served chilled, this white has a subtle apricot note that goes well with fresh meals.
Recommended
Description
A bottle of award-winning wine from MONTRUBI, Black is a celebrated wine full of force and flavour. Violet and blackberry combine into a smooth drink with plenty of character. For best results, serve slightly chilled.
www.majestic.co.uk
Description
This is one of the best light Rosu00e9s around at a staggeringly acceptable price. Expect a pleasant dry taste with hints of peach, strawberry and raspberry.
The best vegan spirits: Tried, tested and recommended
www.ocado.com
Description
Marks & Spencers has created magic in a bottle. More than just a vegan alternative to everyone's festive-favourite Bailey's, this drink tastes like liquid joy. Imagine a cold hot chocolate - this is just as thick and creamy but tastes excellent over ice.
15.
East London Gin
Great Buy
Description
Unless there are animal-based additives mixed in, gin is vegan. But life is too short for bad gin, so we recommend picking up this East London Gin. Smooth and aromatic, citrus and juniper make themselves known before spices deliver a delicious finish.
16.
Aperol Aperitivo
Top Pick
Description
Bright orange and bittersweet? It must be Aperol, which is perfect in a spritz. Just make sure that whatever youu2019re mixing in is vegan too.
www.masterofmalt.com
Description
All pure, untampered with rum is free of animal products. The Public Spirit is our favourite option of all though. We donu2019t know what spices are in it (they keep that a secret) but we know the result: warm caramel deliciousness. Bonus: The Public Spirit donate a quarter of the proceeds to UK-based causes and charities.
Good Choice
Description
The ubiquitous bourbon loved by all is officially acceptable to the vegan lifestyle, which is no bad thing. A classic that is great over ice or with a mixer.
www.waitrose.com
Description
Good quality tequila is made from one ingredient only: Blue Agave. El Jimadoru2019s tequila is double-distilled and extra fresh, with zest and spice to spare. Mix into a cocktail or sip over ice.
Frequently asked questions: Vegan alcohol
Why are some alcoholic drinks NOT vegan?
While almost all alcohol is made from plant-based materials, some manufacturers introduce products from pigs, cows, insects and fish as part of its processing.
What animal products are used in non-vegan alcohols?
Drinks that are not suitable for vegans but are for vegetarians have likely used honey, egg or milk derivates. Drinks that aren’t suitable for vegans or vegetarians will have been processed using bone marrow, crushed insects, fish bladders, or cow and pig tendons, skin and ligaments.
What non-vegan ingredients should I look out for?
Not all manufacturers, wineries or brewers include information about whether their product is vegan or non-vegan. However, some ingredients can give away a drink as being non-vegan. Some, such as honey, milk or cream, are obvious, while others are partially disguised behind technical terminology. These include:
• Isinglass (Fish)
• Cochineal/carmine (Insects)
• Chitin (Insects, shellfish, fish)
• Albumin (Eggs)
• Casein (Milk)
• Whey (Milk)
• Lactose (Milk)
• Gelatin (Animal skin, ligaments, bones)
What do animal products do in alcohol?
Unless an animal product has been added to a drink for flavour (i.e. honey whiskey or milk stout), then the animal product has likely been used in the fining process.
Fining is a process that clears and clarifies a liquid - unfined wines and beers appear cloudy. Fining agents cling to unwanted elements within the alcohol. The fining agent increases the size of the molecules, which allows them to sink or be caught in a filter.
Vegan alcohols either don’t use any fining agent or use a non-animal alternative, such as limestone, vegetable caseins or carbons. The choice to use a non-animal alternative may not be for ethical reasons - many brewers argue that different fining agents alter the taste in unwanted ways.
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