Widmer Ommision Lager 6Pk

Widmer Omission Lager 6-Pack is a gluten-reduced American craft lager brewed with traditional malted barley at 4.6% ABV, available in a six-pack of 12 oz servings. Unlike most gluten-free beers that rely on sorghum or rice, Omission Lager uses a proprietary enzyme process to reduce gluten below 20 parts per million while retaining the flavor profile of a true barley-based lager — an approach that earned it a Gold Medal in the Gluten Free Beer Category at the 2012 Great International Beer and Cider Competition.

Quick Facts: ABV: 4.6%  |  Origin: Portland, Oregon, USA  |  Style: Gluten-Reduced American Lager  |  Brewery: Widmer Brothers Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Widmer Brothers Brewing Company was founded in 1984 by brothers Kurt and Rob Widmer in Portland, Oregon, growing into one of the Pacific Northwest's most recognized craft breweries. Omission was launched as the first U.S. craft beer brand specifically designed to be gluten-reduced while still using a traditional grain bill of malted barley, hops, water, and yeast. The key innovation is the addition of Brewers Clarex™, a brewing enzyme introduced during fermentation that breaks apart gluten protein chains, reducing gluten content to below 20 ppm — the international threshold recognized by many celiac organizations — without stripping out the malty character that alternative-grain beers typically lack.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Light and clean, opening with barley grain and a subtle lemon zest quality. Grassy, slightly herbal hop notes emerge underneath, keeping the nose refreshing and straightforward.

Taste: The entry is dry with a gentle bitterness that quickly gives way to crackery malt sweetness at mid-palate. Lemon and light grassy notes carry through, with a faintly fruity, almost minty undertone adding complexity beyond what a standard macro lager delivers.

Finish: Smooth and moderately dry, with a mild hop bitterness that lingers briefly. The overall impression is crisp and clean, with no heavy residual sweetness or off-flavors.

How to Drink Omission Lager

Serve cold, ideally between 38–45°F, in a pint glass or pilsner glass to let the subtle hop and grain aromas open up. Its clean, light body makes it a natural session beer on warm days. A Michelada works well here — the lager's lemony brightness complements tomato juice and hot sauce without clashing. A Shandy pairs the crackery malt with lemonade for easy porch drinking. In a Beer-a-Rita, the mild bitterness balances triple sec and lime for a laid-back twist on a classic margarita.

Best For

• Stocking the fridge for guests who avoid gluten but miss real beer flavor
• Tailgates and barbecues where a light, sessionable lager is essential
• Introducing gluten-sensitive friends to craft beer brewed with actual barley
• Everyday drinking when you want a clean, uncomplicated lager under 5% ABV

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Omission Lager taste like? Omission Lager tastes like a crisp, traditional American lager with crackery malt sweetness, subtle lemon zest, and grassy hop bitterness. It finishes smooth and dry with no heavy aftertaste.

How does Omission Lager compare to Redbridge? Redbridge, brewed by Anheuser-Busch, uses sorghum instead of barley, which gives it a distinctly different, sometimes thinner flavor profile. Omission Lager retains a more conventional beer character because it is brewed with traditional malted barley and uses an enzyme to reduce gluten after fermentation.

Is Omission Lager safe for people with celiac disease? Omission Lager is brewed with barley and processed to reduce gluten below 20 ppm, but it is classified as "gluten-reduced" rather than "gluten-free" because it contains a gluten-containing grain. Individuals with celiac disease should consult their physician before consuming any gluten-reduced product.

Where is Omission Lager made? Omission Lager is brewed by Widmer Brothers Brewing Company in Portland, Oregon. The brewery has been operating in the Pacific Northwest since 1984.

What foods pair well with Omission Lager? Grilled chicken or fish tacos match the lager's citrus and grain notes. Classic cheeseburgers complement the crackery malt backbone. A light Caesar salad echoes the lemony brightness. Soft pretzels with mustard play off the dry, biscuity finish. Mild white cheddar or Monterey Jack cheeses pair without overpowering the beer's subtle flavors.

What sizes does Omission Lager come in? Omission Lager is commonly available in 6-packs of 12 oz bottles or cans, and may also be found in individual 12 oz servings depending on the market.

Is Omission Lager worth the price? Omission Lager positions in the mid-range craft beer tier — slightly above mass-market lagers but competitive with other specialty craft six-packs. For drinkers seeking a gluten-reduced beer that actually tastes like beer rather than a compromise, it represents solid value in a category with limited options.

Why Omission Lager?

Omission Lager stands apart in the gluten-reduced category because it is brewed with real malted barley rather than substitute grains, which is why it drinks like an actual lager instead of an approximation of one. The Brewers Clarex™ enzyme process was a genuine innovation when Omission launched, and it remains the standard that competitors are measured against. Its Gold Medal at the 2012 Great International Beer and Cider Competition validated what drinkers had already noticed — this is one of the few gluten-reduced beers that doesn't ask you to lower your expectations. At 4.6% ABV with a clean, sessionable profile, it fills a practical gap for anyone who wants a straightforward craft lager without the gluten.