Widmer Ommision Light 6Pk

Widmer Omission Light 6Pk is a gluten-reduced light lager brewed from malted barley at 4.2% ABV, sold in six-packs of 12 oz bottles. Part of the Omission brand — which has earned Gold Medals at both the Great American Beer Festival and the World Beer Cup — this light expression delivers genuine craft-beer character in a low-calorie, low-gluten format.

Quick Facts: ABV: 4.2%  |  Origin: Portland, Oregon, USA  |  Style: Gluten-Reduced Light Lager  |  Brewery: Widmer Brothers Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Widmer Brothers Brewing Company, founded in 1984 in Portland, Oregon, launched the Omission line as the first craft beer brand in the United States dedicated to brewing with traditional ingredients — including malted barley — while reducing gluten to below 20 parts per million. The key innovation is the use of Brewers Clarex, a proprietary enzyme added during fermentation that breaks apart gluten protein chains without stripping the grain-driven flavor barley provides. Unlike many mainstream light beers that rely on adjunct grains like rice or corn, Omission Light keeps barley at the center of its grain bill, resulting in a fuller-tasting light beer that still qualifies as gluten-reduced under FDA thresholds.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Grainy malt leads, followed by delicate floral notes and a bright citrus-hop lift. Subtle hints of orange rind emerge as the beer warms slightly in the glass.

Taste: The entry is clean and lightly sweet, with a gentle grain backbone that moves into citrusy hop flavor at mid-palate. Notes of lime zest, fresh-cut grass, and a faint orange-rind bitterness develop, balanced by restrained sweetness that keeps the beer from leaning too dry or too sweet.

Finish: Crisp and short, with a smooth fade that leaves behind a light herbal-hop impression. The body is light to medium, finishing clean enough to encourage another sip without any lingering heaviness.

How to Drink Omission Light

Serve cold — around 38–42°F — straight from the bottle or poured into a pilsner glass to highlight its clarity and carbonation. Its low ABV and clean profile also make it a versatile mixer and session beer.

• Michelada: The citrus hop character pairs naturally with lime juice, hot sauce, and Clamato, adding more depth than a standard light lager.
• Shandy: Mix with fresh lemonade for an easy warm-weather drink — the orange-rind and grass notes complement the tartness.
• Beer Margarita (Beergarita): Blend with frozen margarita mix; the light body and citrus backbone integrate seamlessly without overpowering the cocktail.

Best For

• Gluten-sensitive drinkers who miss the taste of real barley beer
• Backyard barbecues and tailgates where sessionability matters
• Craft-beer drinkers looking for a lighter weekday option without sacrificing flavor
• Gifting to a health-conscious friend who still appreciates craft brewing

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Omission Light taste like? Omission Light delivers a citrus-forward, lightly sweet flavor with notes of orange rind, lime, and grass over a clean, grainy malt base. It finishes crisp with gentle hop bitterness and a smooth, easy-drinking body.

How does Omission Light compare to Michelob Ultra? Both target health-conscious drinkers, but Omission Light is brewed entirely from malted barley and treated with an enzyme to reduce gluten, giving it a fuller grain character and more noticeable hop flavor than Michelob Ultra's rice-adjunct profile. Reviewers have called Omission Light "the ale version of Michelob Ultra," noting its similar drinkability but greater depth of flavor.

Is Omission Light good for gluten-sensitive drinkers? Omission Light is brewed from barley and treated with Brewers Clarex enzyme to reduce gluten below 20 ppm, which meets the international Codex Alimentarius standard for gluten-reduced products. However, it is not certified gluten-free, so individuals with celiac disease should consult their physician before consuming.

Where is Omission Light made? Omission Light is brewed by Widmer Brothers Brewing Company in Portland, Oregon, a craft brewery founded in 1984 that pioneered the American Hefeweizen style and later launched the Omission gluten-reduced line.

What foods pair well with Omission Light? Grilled chicken or fish tacos benefit from the beer's citrus-hop brightness. A simple green salad with vinaigrette mirrors its herbal, grassy notes. Light seafood like ceviche or shrimp cocktail matches its crisp body. Mild cheeses such as fresh mozzarella or young gouda complement the soft malt sweetness. Spicy Thai or Vietnamese dishes are tempered by the beer's clean, refreshing finish.

What sizes does Omission Light come in? Omission Light is commonly available in six-packs of 12 oz bottles, which is the standard retail format for this expression.

Is Omission Light worth the price? Omission Light positions as a slightly premium light beer compared to mainstream options like Michelob Ultra or Bud Light, but it justifies the modest upcharge with a genuine craft pedigree, an all-barley grain bill, and the specialized enzyme-treated brewing process that most mass-market light lagers do not offer.

Why Omission Light?

What separates Omission Light from the crowded light-beer shelf is the combination of real barley brewing and enzyme-driven gluten reduction — a process that preserves grain-forward flavor rather than diluting it with adjuncts. The Omission brand's Gold Medal wins at the Great American Beer Festival and World Beer Cup validate that this approach delivers competition-level quality, not just a marketing story. At 4.2% ABV, it occupies the sweet spot between sessionable lightness and genuine craft character, giving drinkers who avoid gluten a beer that actually tastes like it was brewed with care and intention rather than reformulated from a spreadsheet.