UPDATE: Triple Crossing has given more details on this change to Element 79 over on their blog:

Element 79 – Leaner, meaner.. well maybe just gluten leaner

Our incredibly sessionable amalgamation of an American Blonde/British Golden Ale has undergone a significant change for those that have a gluten intolerance – and basically zero change for those that don’t.  We decided to try a relatively new product to reduce gluten levels in our  summer ale after an integral member of our team found that his gluten intolerance reached a level that forced him to stop drinking beer altogether – unacceptable in our eyes.

So, after hearing some positive reports about White Labs Clarity Ferm, we decided to give it a try.  The short of it is that Clarity Ferm is an enzyme that, while added prior to fermentation, significantly reduces the gluten content in beers made with barley and wheat.  The majority of beers tested fall below the current international standard of 20ppm gluten. For more information check out the White Labs spec sheet here.

Given that Element 79 is nothing more (or less) than 100% Pale Ale malted barley, we’d hoped this stuff would work its magic.  Sure enough, after a completely normal fermentation and normal everything else for that matter, we were left wondering what if anything actually happened.  The beer seemed like its old self, no changes… until we had our aforementioned guinea pig give it a shot – via two 16 oz pints.  Zero.  Issues.  But please be aware of the following: 1) the beer was made from a grain that contains gluten; 2) there is currently no valid test to verify the gluten content of fermented products; and 3) the finished product may contain gluten.  Needless to say, we’re thrilled he can enjoy his favorite beer again, and we couldn’t be happier to offer this beer to those with any sort of gluten intolerance, in the hope that they can once again enjoy barley based beer.

Cheers!
Team TCB

Head over to Triple Crossing today Friday July 10th at 4pm as they debut their reworked Element 79 as gluten reduced:

Times they are a’changing and we’ve decided to make Element 79 a ‘gluten-removed’ beer going forward!

That’s right, one of our flagship brands has been crafted to remove gluten. But please be aware of the following: 1) the beer was made from a grain that contains gluten; 2) there is currently no valid test to verify the gluten content of fermented products; and 3) the finished product may contain gluten.

This batch of Element 79 was treated with Clarity Ferm, a White Labs product designed to remove gluten from the beer.

To celebrate, we’ll have Relay Foods on site with gluten free products available to hand out to visitors. We’ve also got VCU jazz musician Willie D playing some jams throughout the evening.

Whether people with gluten intolerance or celiac disease will be able to enjoy this beer is a complicated question. For one while crafted to greatly reduce the gluten content of the beer, it is still brewed in an environment with barley, wheat, and rye grains. Secondly, the range of sensitivities for people suffering from gluten intolerance or celiac disease are different from person to person.

With those warnings out of the way, this beer should hopefully provide a new option for people who would not have been able to enjoy it all in the past.

Check out the Facebook event for more details and updates.

Triple Crossing Brewing Company
113 S Foushee St
Richmond, VA 23220