Is Beer Vegan?
Many beers are vegan, but not all. The four traditional beer ingredients — water, malted barley, hops, and yeast — are all plant-based (yeast is a fungus). The issue is fining agents used to clarify beer: isinglass (from fish bladders) and gelatin (from animal bones) are the two most common non-vegan additives. Cask ales are particularly likely to use isinglass. Most kegged and canned craft beers skip fining and are vegan-friendly by default.
Non-Vegan Beer Additives
| Fining Agent | Source | Where Used |
|---|---|---|
| Isinglass | Fish bladder | Cask ales, some lagers |
| Gelatin | Animal collagen | Some breweries post-fermentation |
| Lactose | Milk sugar | Milk stouts — intentional ingredient |
Lactose in milk stouts is an intentional ingredient (adds body and sweetness), not a fining agent. Milk stouts are not vegan.
Which Beer Styles Are Typically Vegan?
Usually vegan: Most canned and bottled craft beer, filtered lager, sour beers, most IPAs from craft breweries.
Often NOT vegan: Traditional cask ales (almost universally use isinglass in the UK), milk stouts.
How to Find Vegan Beer
Barnivore.com covers thousands of beer brands. Check before buying.
Common Vegan Beer Brands (US)
- Sierra Nevada (most varieties)
- New Belgium Brewing (most varieties)
- Samuel Adams Boston Lager
- Guinness Draught (canned) — confirmed vegan since 2018
FAQ
Is Guinness vegan now? Yes. Guinness switched from isinglass to a non-animal fining process for their canned and bottled products in 2017-2018. Cask Guinness in some pubs may still use isinglass.
Is Corona vegan? Yes. Corona Extra does not use animal fining agents.
Is Budweiser vegan? Yes. Anheuser-Busch products use filtration rather than animal finings.
For more vegan lifestyle guidance, visit the lifestyle hub. More answers in the Is This Vegan? Q&A category.