4/14-15: Gluten and Allergen Free Expo, Illinois

What: Gluten and Allergen Free Expo

When: April 14-15th, 10AM-4PM both days

Where: Westin Lombard Yorktown Center 70 Yorktown Center Lombard, Illinois 60148

Cost: $20 for vendor fair/$90 for cooking classes

Website: http://gfafexpo.com/

Don’t miss the largest gluten & allergen free vendor fair in the Midwest! You’ll have the chance to sample from over 100 vendors, hear free lectures from industry experts, meet the authors of top industry cookbooks and do a book signing, receive coupon books and samples and indulge in the healthy living spa area with free services. Additionally, there are four different fantastic cooking classes on offer. Check out the Expo’s great website and buy your tickets today!

3/09: Natural Products Expo West, California

What: Natural Products Expo West

When: March 9-10th

Where: Anaheim Convention Center (Anaheim, CA)

Website: http://www.expowest.com/ew12/Public/Content.aspx?ID=1037232&sortMenu=104004

Although this event is not open to the general public, we are excited to announce our participation in one of the largest natural product expos in America.  We will be in Anaheim for a couple of days introducing our product to retailers from all over the country and working hard to get our beer into more stores so we can get it closer to YOU!

What is Sorghum?

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As you might know, gluten is found in many grains, which is why those maintaining a gluten-free lifestyle avoid drinking beers that are made with wheat and barley.  But did you know that not all grains contain gluten?  Sorghum, rice and corn are three grains that are commonly used in gluten-free products. We brew our Tread Lightly Ale and 3R Raspberry Ale  with sorghum and Off Grid Pale Ale with brown rice rather than wheat and barley.

What is sorghum?
Sorghum is a grass that is grown in warm, dry climates around the world.

Where is it grown?
Sorghum is grown in many different countries around the world, including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, Ethiopia, India, Mexico, Nigeria, Mexico, the United States, and Sudan.  In the U.S., sorghum is mainly cultivated in a crop belt that runs from Southern Texas to South Dakota.  It’s considered the fifth most important cereal crop in the world.

What products is it used in?
As a grain that doesn’t trigger gluten intolerance, sorghum is used in many different products:

  • In baking, sorghum flour is often used or mixed with gluten-free flours to make cookies, cakes, breads, and other gluten-free products
  • One type of sorghum, sweet sorghum, is used in sweeteners such as sorghum syrup
  • Sorghum is used to make fermented beverages

What industries is it used in?
Sorghum is also utilized in the production of:

  • Floral arrangements
  • Brooms
  • Fences
  • Building materials
  • Pet food

Enjoy your gluten-free beer!

 

3/24: Gluten-Free For Life Expo, Florida

What: Gluten-Free for Life Expo

When: Saturday, March 24th

Where: The St. Pete Coliseum 535 Fourth Ave. St. Petersburg, FL

Cost: $5 donation for  Camp Weekaneatit, a weeklong kid’s summer camp for Gluten-Intolerant and Celiac kids

Website: http://glutenfreeforlifeexpo.blogspot.com/

This is a unique opportunity to further your understanding of the gluten-free lifestyle and have a fun filled day. The event’s goal is to increase awareness of celiac disease and gluten intolerance and provide education and resources for the gluten-free community. An impressive list of speakers are slated to attend: researchers, educators, authors, wellness coaches and even Miss USA!

3/04: Gluten Free Expo & Conference, Arizona

What: Gluten Free Expo & Conference ( and Dinner!)

When: Sunday, March 4th, 9:30am – 7pm

Where: Optima Camelview Village Event Room & Nourish restaurant. Corner of Scottsdale Road and Highland Ave, North of Fashion Square. 7147 E Highland Ave., Scottsdale, AZ 85251

Cost: $10-$177 depending on level of participation, see website for details

Website: http://www.gfxcon.com/

You don’t want to miss one of Arizona’s coolest gluten-free events taking place on March 4th.  This event is just what it sounds like: a multi-faceted event comprising an expo, a conference, a cocktail hour, and a dinner! Now, the best news…New Planet is the official beer sponsor of the cocktail hour! So, come enjoy the whole day at this fantastic event affording you to opportunity to check out many gluten-free vendors, get educated at the conference with top speakers, get private consults with licensed naturopathic physicians, see awesome cooking demos, and then schmooze at the cocktail hour with some New Planet before the VIP donor featuring keynote speaker, herbalist and chef Dan Santos. Check out the website for more information and get registered today!

Naturally Gluten-Free Foods

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On it’s most basic level, maintaining a gluten-free diet means cutting out grains like wheat, barley, and rye, and any mixture of these grains. But eating gluten-free doesn’t have to be as difficult or unhealthy as one may think! Here’s a  breakdown of twenty foods that are naturally gluten-free. Share this with someone who recently discovered their gluten intolerance or who’s experimenting with a gluten-free diet.

 

      1. Butter
      2. Eggs
      3. Water
      4. Fresh fruits
      5. Fresh vegetables
      6. Juices made of 100% fruits or vegetables
      7. Lentils
      8. Peanuts
      9. Seeds (such as flax seeds)
      10. Tree nuts (such as almonds)
      11. Corn
      12. Fresh fish
      13. Fresh shellfish
      14. Honey
      15. Milk that isn’t flavored using ingredients like malt, which contains gluten
      16. Soy
      17. Plain rice (glutinous or sticky/sweet, black, polished white, long-grained basmati, or whole-grain brown rices).
      18. Gluten-free flours made from rice, soy, corn, potatoes, or beans
      19. Raw Quinoa
      20. Tapioca

 

Gluten-Free Candy for Your Valentine

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Almost everyone loves getting candy for Valentine’s Day! Before you set out to buy your gluten-free valentine some sweets to enjoy after dinner and a flavorful 3R Raspberry Ale, check out some of our suggestions.

 

Necco:

  • Necco Sweetheart Conversation Hearts (Valentines only)
  • Necco Mary Jane Peanut Butter Kisses
  • Haviland Thin Mints
  • Haviland Peppermint Patties
  • Haviland Wintergreen Patties

For more information, please visit Necco’s Frequently Asked Questions.

Nestle:

  • Nestle Baby Ruth
  • Nestle Bit-O’-Honey
  • Nestle Butterfinger Bars (does not include Butterfinger Hearts, Butterfinger Crisp, Butterfinger Giant Bar, Butterfinger Snackerz, Butterfinger Medallions, Butterfinger Jingles, or Butterfinger Pumpkins)
  • Nestle Milk Chocolate
  • Nestle Nips (both regular and sugar-free)

For more information, please visit Nestle Consumer Services’ list of gluten-free products (updated 12/22/11).

Tootsie Roll:

  • Tootsie Rolls
  • Tootsie Pops
  • Charms Blow Pops
  • Sugar Daddy
  • Caramel Apple Pop
  • Junior Mints
  • Cella’s Chocolate-Covered Cherries

According to their website, all Tootsie products are gluten-free with the exception of Andes cookies.

For more information, check out the Gluten-Free Candy List provided by the National Foundation of Celiac Awareness and Sure Foods Living.

Football Pizzas Served Gluten-Free

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Looking for more food to pair with New Planet Beer and serve at your football party? Here are two more game day pizza recipes that The Gluten Free Bistro shared with us.

 

Football Pizza for a glorious gluten-free Super Bowl

Ingredients:

  •  The Gluten Free Bistro Dough
  • Muir Glen Pizza Sauce
  • Pepperoni
  • Thick Shredded Mozzerella
  • String Cheese

Directions:
Before you start cooking, pick up a Gluten Free Bistro Frozen Dough Ball at your local Whole Foods Market in the Rocky Mountain Region; it’s delicious and whole grain. Next, be sure to watch The Gluten Free Bistro’s dough handling video. The Dough can be sticky so you will want to watch for quick tips.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Using olive oil, oil your hands and the baking sheet like in the video. Cut the dough ball in half, and shape each half into a football shape directly onto the baking sheet, with the longest part of the football being about 10 inches across. Bake the football crusts, without any toppings, for 6 minutes at 400 degrees. Remove from oven and add toppings, adding the pepperoni last.  Reserve the string cheese for later. Place back in oven on baking sheet or slide onto your pizza stone, then bake for 12-15 minutes.

For the laces: On a piece of parchment paper, use the string cheese to shape the laces of the football, then bake on parchment for 3 minutes.  Remove from oven and let cool before placing on the pizza.

Mexican Pizza

Ingredients:

  • 1 Pizza Crust from The Gluten Free Bistro (available at select Whole Foods, Lucky’s and Alfalfas’s Market) www.theglutenfreebistro.com
  • 1/2  of yellow onion
  • 5 mini peppers
  • 1 can green chilis
  • 1/2 can refried pinto beans
  • 1/4 can enchilada sauce
  • Shredded mozzarella and monterey jack cheese

Directions:
Chop yellow onion and a handful of mini peppers. Saute onion and peppers in olive oil until onion becomes translucent. Top frozen crust with red enchilada sauce (beware that most enchilada sauces contain wheat. Frontera is a good gluten-free sauce). Add organic vegetarian refried pinto beans over the enchilada sauce. Spread shredded cheddar and monterey jack cheese mix over the sauce and beans, then add 1 can of green diced chilis and saute mix of onions and peppers over the cheese. Sprinkle with oregano and pepper, then place on a warm grill set at low to medium heat for 7-9 minutes. When it’s done, the bottom should be crisp with grill marks. Remove from grill, slice and enjoy with a BIG BOMBER of New Planet’s 3R Raspberry Ale and hope your team wins!