Lakefront New Grist 6Pk Cans

Lakefront New Grist 6Pk Cans is a gluten-free pilsner-style beer brewed from sorghum and rice at 5.0% ABV, sold in a six-pack of 12 oz cans. New Grist holds the distinction of being the first gluten-free beer to receive label approval from the U.S. Government — a milestone that cemented its reputation among gluten-free drinkers long before the category became crowded.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5.0%  |  Origin: Milwaukee, Wisconsin  |  Style: Gluten-Free Pilsner-Style Ale  |  Brewery: Lakefront Brewery

Production & Heritage

Lakefront Brewery was founded in 1987 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and has built a reputation for creative, boundary-pushing beers. New Grist was developed to provide a true craft beer experience for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, using a base of sorghum and rice fermented with a dedicated gluten-free yeast strain. The brewery tests every batch for gluten content before bottling and shipping, ensuring consistency and safety that go beyond simple ingredient substitution. Hops are added for balance, giving the beer a character that sits closer to a light European pilsner than to many grain-alternative beers on the market.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Light and fruity on the nose, with a clean, slightly sweet grain character from the sorghum. Subtle hints of fresh green apple and a faint floral note from the hops round out the bouquet.

Taste: The entry is crisp and effervescent, immediately refreshing on the palate. At mid-palate, a gentle fruitiness emerges alongside a mild sorghum maltiness. Green apple flavors cut through the sweetness, keeping the beer balanced and clean through to the peak.

Finish: The finish is short to medium, dry, and snappy with minimal lingering bitterness. A last trace of fruit and grain fades quickly, inviting the next sip.

How to Drink New Grist

New Grist is best served cold — between 38°F and 42°F — straight from the can or poured into a pilsner glass to appreciate its brilliant gold color and bubbly head. Its light body and crisp profile also make it a capable cocktail ingredient. A Shandy pairs New Grist with fresh lemonade for an easy warm-weather drink. A Michelada works well here because the beer's clean, mild grain flavor lets the lime, hot sauce, and Worcestershire shine without clashing. A Radler — half New Grist, half grapefruit juice — plays off the beer's natural fruitiness for a tart, sessionable mix.

Best For

• Stocking a cooler for friends with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity
• Backyard barbecues and summer gatherings where a light, approachable beer is needed
• Introducing someone to gluten-free craft beer for the first time
• Keeping on hand as a reliable everyday gluten-free option

Frequently Asked Questions

What does New Grist taste like? New Grist pours a brilliant gold and tastes crisp, fruity, and refreshing, with notes of green apple, light sorghum malt, and a clean, dry finish similar to a light pilsner.

How does New Grist compare to Redbridge? Redbridge, brewed by Anheuser-Busch, uses only sorghum and tends toward a slightly heavier, more amber-hued body, while New Grist incorporates both sorghum and rice for a lighter, more pilsner-like character. New Grist also batch-tests for gluten content before release, a step that has distinguished it among gluten-free beer drinkers since its launch.

Is New Grist good for beginners? Yes — its mild flavor, low bitterness, and familiar pilsner-style body make it one of the most accessible gluten-free beers available, especially for drinkers new to sorghum-based brews.

Where is New Grist made? New Grist is brewed at Lakefront Brewery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a craft brewery that has been operating since 1987 along the Milwaukee River.

What foods pair well with New Grist? Grilled chicken or fish tacos complement the beer's light fruitiness. A fresh summer salad with citrus vinaigrette mirrors its crisp acidity. Mild cheeses like fresh mozzarella or young gouda work well without overpowering the delicate grain flavor. Sushi or sashimi pairs naturally with the clean, dry finish, and corn-based chips with salsa echo the beer's grain-forward but light profile.

What sizes does New Grist come in? This listing is for a six-pack of 12 oz cans; New Grist is also commonly available in six-packs of 12 oz bottles.

Is New Grist worth the price? New Grist positions as a mid-range craft beer within the gluten-free category, and its pioneer status, batch-level gluten testing, and consistent drinkability represent solid value compared to many newer gluten-free entrants that carry higher price tags.

Why New Grist?

New Grist earned its place in the gluten-free beer category by being first — it was the first beer of its kind to receive U.S. government label approval as gluten-free, a benchmark that required proof of process, not just marketing language. Lakefront Brewery backs that claim with batch-by-batch gluten testing before any beer leaves the facility, a level of quality control that still sets it apart from competitors relying solely on gluten-reduced processes. The sorghum-and-rice grain bill delivers a genuinely refreshing, pilsner-style drinking experience rather than the heavy, overly sweet profile common in early gluten-free beers. For anyone maintaining a strict gluten-free diet who refuses to sacrifice flavor and drinkability, New Grist remains the reference point in the category.