Root beer is gluten-free — a root-and-spice soda, not brewed from barley malt.
Yes. Despite the word “beer,” root beer is a non-alcoholic carbonated SODA — flavored with roots, bark, and spices, not brewed from barley malt. A&W Root Beer is carbonated water, HFCS, caramel color, sodium benzoate, and flavors. No wheat, barley, rye, or oats. A&W, Barq’s, Mug, Dad’s, IBC, and Stewart’s are all gluten-free. EXCEPTION: alcoholic “hard root beer” may be malt-based — verify those individually.
Root beer is gluten-free — and like birch beer, the entire confusion is the word “beer.” It’s a soda flavored with roots and spices, not brewed from grain, not alcoholic. The only thing to watch for is the relatively new category of alcoholic “hard root beer,” some of which is malt-based.
Why Root Beer Is Gluten-Free
Per A&W’s root beer information: A&W Root Beer is carbonated water, high fructose corn syrup, caramel color, sodium benzoate (preservative), natural and artificial flavors, quillaia extract, and acacia. Root beer is a non-alcoholic soft drink — it is NOT brewed from barley malt. Per FDA labeling rules, none of the gluten-containing grains (wheat, barley, rye, oats) is involved.
Cross-Contamination Risk
Manufacturing
Low
- Soda bottling; no malt/barley brewing, no wheat.
- Flavored with roots/spices, not grain.
- Major brands are gluten-free.
Restaurant / Bar
Low
- Sealed cans/bottles; fountain root beer is the same syrup.
- Root beer floats are GF if the ice cream is.
Home
Low
- Sealed bottle/can, standard storage.
Root Beer Brands & Variants — All GF
- A&W Root Beer — gluten-free soda
- Barq’s (Coca-Cola) — gluten-free soda
- Mug Root Beer (PepsiCo) — gluten-free soda
- Dad’s / IBC / Stewart’s / Sprecher — gluten-free sodas
- Diet root beer (Diet A&W, Diet Barq’s, Diet Mug) — gluten-free (aspartame/ace-K)
- Root beer floats — GF if the ice cream is GF
- “Hard root beer” (alcoholic) — verify; many malt-based, NOT GF
What to Look For — Or Avoid
- Found in the SODA aisle — non-alcoholic soft drink
- A&W, Barq’s, Mug, Dad’s, IBC, Stewart’s — all GF
- No “Contains: Wheat” allergen callout
- Diet root beer — GF (aspartame/acesulfame potassium)
- “Hard root beer” (alcoholic) — verify; many malt-based, NOT GF
- Confusing root beer with actual barley-brewed beer (NOT GF)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is root beer gluten-free?
Yes. Root beer is a non-alcoholic carbonated soda flavored with roots, bark, and spices — not brewed from barley malt. Ingredients are carbonated water, sweetener, caramel color, preservative, and flavors. No wheat, barley, rye, or oats. A&W, Barq’s, Mug, Dad’s, IBC, and Stewart’s are all gluten-free.
Is root beer actually beer?
No. Standard root beer is a non-alcoholic soft drink — it’s not brewed from grain and contains no alcohol. The “beer” is historical naming, like “root beer,” “birch beer,” and “ginger beer.” It’s sold in the soda aisle, not the alcohol section.
Does root beer contain barley malt?
No. Root beer is flavored with roots, bark, and spices (historically sassafras and sarsaparilla, now natural and artificial flavors) — not malted barley. This is the key difference from actual beer, which is brewed from barley/wheat and is not gluten-free.
Is the caramel color in root beer gluten?
No. The caramel color in US root beer is corn-derived. Even barley-derived caramel color is classified gluten-free by the FDA because the manufacturing process degrades the gluten protein. Caramel color in root beer is not a gluten concern.
Is Barq’s or Mug root beer gluten-free?
Yes. Barq’s (a Coca-Cola brand) and Mug Root Beer (a PepsiCo brand) are both gluten-free. Both companies follow FDA top-9 allergen labeling and would declare wheat if present. Diet Barq’s and Diet Mug are also gluten-free.
Is hard root beer gluten-free?
Standard root beer soda is gluten-free. “Hard root beer” (alcoholic versions like Not Your Father’s Root Beer or Coney Island Hard Root Beer) is a different product — it’s alcoholic and many are malt-based (barley). Verify each individually; many hard root beers are NOT gluten-free.