At New Planet Beer we are always striving to improve our beer, and to bring it to as many people as possible. In recognition of these efforts we were honored with the Best Young Business Award of 2011 by Naturally Boulder.

New Planet Beer has seen tremendous company growth over the past 12 months which contributed to Best Young Business Award; 288% increase in product sales from 2010, distribution expansion into 19 states and has been recognized for their great tasting gluten-free beer from industry leading beer festivals, like The Great American Beer Festival.

“We are honored to be recognized by Naturally Boulder. We’re dedicated to providing great tasting gluten-free beer to the gluten-free community and we look forward to doing so for many more years to come,” said CEO and Founder Pedro Gonzalez.

We especially have to thank our fans, without you great tasting gluten-free beer wouldn’t be possible!

For more information on the award, including the full press release, click here.

 

Thanks to our friends at The Gluten Free Bistro for creating a tasty Gluten-Free Battered Coconut Shrimp Recipe made with New Planet Beer. Best served with an ice cold Tread Lightly Ale, 3R Raspberry Ale or Off Grid Pale Ale on the side.

Ingredients:

  • 24-28 Large shrimp, peeled and deveined (or bite-sized chicken breast pieces)
  • 1/2 cup Bistro Blend gluten free all-purpose flour
  • 2 eggs, lightly beaten
  • 2/3 cups Tread Lightly Ale
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons gluten-free baking powder
  • 1 Tbsp sugar (or slightly more to taste)
  • 2 cups medium shredded coconut (unsweetened)
  • Coconut or Canola Oil for frying (enough for shrimp to be just covered in a Dutch oven or other deep pot)

Dipping Sauce:

  • 1/2 cup orange marmalade
  • 1/4 cup dijon mustard
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce (I used Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce)

Directions:

  1. Mix marmalade, mustard, honey, and hot sauce in a small bowl and refrigerate.
  2. Mix coconut and sugar in a small bowl.
  3. Whisk together the eggs, gluten free flour, gluten free beer, and baking powder in a medium bowl.
  4. Dredge each shrimp in the beer-batter mixture, then the coconut.  Place dredged shrimp on parchment paper on large plate or cookie sheet and chill in refrigerator for 30 min to 45 min.
  5. Heat enough oil to allow shrimp to be covered in a deep pot.  Then place shrimp in oil, 5 to 8 at a time, for 3 minutes, or until dark golden.
  6. Using tongs to remove, drain shrimp on paper towel.
  7. Serve with prepared dipping sauce.

 

New Planet Beer is excited to open it’s first online retail account! Brewforia.com carries all three styles of New Planet Beer – Tread Lightly Ale, 3R Raspberry Ale and Off Grid Pale Ale. Buy a single beer or a 12-pack sampler. The perfect gift for the gluten-free beer drinker or for yourself.

Shop New Planet Beer

Tread Lightly Ale – is a smooth and well-balanced “Pilsner like” style ale with citrus tones and light in body and color. Tread Lightly Ale is made from sorghum and corn extract, orange peel, hops, and yeast.Tread Lightly supports trail restoration.

Buy Tread Light Ale >

3R Raspberry Ale – our award winning raspberry fruit ale has just the right balance of fruit flavor and aroma. 3R Raspberry Ale is made from sorghum and corn extract, natural raspberry puree, orange peel, hops, and yeast. ‘3R’ supports Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle – the 3R’s of waste reduction education.

Buy 3R Raspberry Ale >

Off Grid Pale Ale – is a wonderful interpretation of the classic pale ale style. It has a distinctly deep amber color and great character and body. The three varieties of hops provide a wonderful aroma and a citrus and spicy hop flavor. Made from sorghum and brown rice extract, tapioca maltodextrin, caramel color, molasses, hops, and yeast. Off Grid Pale Ale supports alternative energy efforts.

Buy Off Grid Pale Ale >

 

Do you want to try all three beers? Purchase a sampler pack from Brewforia.com.

Buy a 6-Pack Sampler of New Planet Beer >

Buy a 12-Pack Sampler of New Planet Beer >

 

You may have seen some of the recent articles on the discussion between Colorado agriculture officials and brewers and the use of millet in their brews. Millet is a cereal grain and “Colorado is the country’s top millet producer, accounting for about 60 percent of U.S. production last year,” reported by By CATHERINE TSAI Associated Press.

Our own New Planet Beer Co-Founder and CEO, Pedro Gonzalez was interviewed on New Planet Beer’s thoughts on using the gluten-free grain – millet. Read the article below, which was posted on Forbes.com and Denverpost.com.

DENVER—Colorado agriculture officials are turning to brewers to see if they can help boost the state’s sales of millet, a cereal grain that so far is a sliver of the nation’s food industry. Colorado is the country’s top millet producer, accounting for about 60 percent of U.S. production last year.

It’s a $50 million crop for the U.S., while wheat is worth several billion dollars each year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Still, it represents an area where rural Colorado businesses can grow, said Timothy Larsen, senior international marketing specialist for the state agriculture department.

“What agriculture has to do is find a bunch of niche opportunities to expand,” Larsen said.

Millet is often used as birdseed, but Colorado agriculture officials have been promoting its gluten-free qualities and working with Colorado State University to develop recipes for it.

They’ve also asked Colorado Malting Co. in Alamosa to ship malted samples to Colorado-based brewers to experiment in making millet beers.

“We hope to create a new sector,” Larsen said.

Colorado Malting Co. is preparing about 6,000 pounds of millet from the Fort Morgan area—2,000 pounds each of three varieties—for commercial brewers this spring. The company recently finished malting golden German millet.

“I was impressed with the nutty flavors we got out of it,” said Colorado Malting Co. co-owner Jason Cody.

However, brewers may have to add enzymes to the millet, and the millet also is taking longer to dry than barley, Cody said.

Pedro Gonzalez, co-founder of gluten-free beer company New Planet Beer, said he’s eager to see if the brewers his company works with can find a recipe that appeals to customers the way some millet-based imports do. New Planet’s existing beers primarily use sorghum, corn and brown rice.

“The palate is used to the malted barley. It’s a very unique taste,” Gonzalez said. “The gluten, the proteins in beer, make it thick and full of body and tasty. So when you choose not to have barley or wheat in your beer, then you lose those qualities.”

New Planet Beers use ingredients such as raspberry puree and molasses to add flavor. If New Planet Beer can use Colorado-grown millet, it could help the company meet its mission of being environmentally responsible by using ingredients that don’t have to be shipped far, Gonzalez said.

Scott Kimball in Buena Vista, Eddyline Restaurant and Brewing Co. head brewer, is among those signed up to experiment with malted millet. He isn’t guaranteeing his customers a millet beer until he can see how it tastes.

Pagosa Brewing Co. in Pagosa Springs also plans to play with millet. “It’s an opportunity where if we have a gluten-free beer that actually tastes good, let’s try it,” said head brewer Tony Simmons, who has home brewed with millet before. “I’m a big fan,” he said.

The state agriculture department is using a $42,000 USDA grant to help Colorado’s millet industry market itself, domestically and overseas.

Millet grows on about 200,000 acres in Colorado and can be rotated with wheat, which grows on about 2 million acres, Larsen said.

“If the market demand is there, we can certainly produce more,” he said.

It has become easier these days to ensure that your home kitchen is gluten-free friendly, but what about dining out? Being gluten-free shouldn’t mean you’re resigned to a future of only eating at home. If you know what questions to ask, you can still enjoy a great meal at a restaurant. Here are some helpful tips and suggestions to help ensure a healthy and joyful restaurant dining experience:

  • `Pick the Right Restaurant: Many restaurants offer gluten-free menu options. Some locations carry gluten-free items that can be easily substituted. Research via the Web when determining where to eat. If you have questions, call the restaurant before making reservations.
  • Know the Gluten-Free Facts: You’ll likely have to educate your server about what grains to avoid and what steps need to be done to prevent cross-contamination. Be familiar with your gluten-free diet so you can educate the less-informed.
  • Make Sure the Staff is Educated about Cross-Contamination: Call ahead  and ask the server if the gluten-free food is prepared on a dedicated gluten-free surface with dedicated utensils and cooked in a dedicated oven, otherwise you may risk cross-contamination.
  • Don’t Go Too Hungry: The hungrier you are, the more likely you are to make a mistake when confronted with an unfamiliar menu.
  • Bring Your Own Pre-Meal Snack: Many restaurants like to provide bread or chips before your meal arrives. It’s easy to feel left out if your dining companions can enjoy those treats. Instead, bring your own gluten-free pre-meal snacks so you don’t have to sit back and watch everyone eat.
  • Pay Attention to Sauces and Sides: Remember it’s not just the main entree you have to pay attention to. Many sauces and side dishes may be prepared with gluten-containing ingredients, so make sure you are thorough in your questioning about menu items.
  • Talk to the Person Who Knows: When expressing your dietary needs to your server, make sure that he or she understands the importance of being 100 percent certain that there is no trace of gluten in your food. If there’s any concern that your point is not getting across, don’t hesitate to speak to the restaurant manager or head chef. Being clear about your needs is better than getting sick.
  • Be Flexible: If you find that nothing on the menu is gluten-free and there are no substitute options, request some plain fish or meat to be sautéed with vegetables in olive oil. Choosing a simple meal may be a bit less exciting, but it will keep you healthy.

As an informed and careful patron, you can enjoy your restaurant dining experience just as much as your friends without a gluten intolerance. So use these tips to prepare yourself and enjoy a night on the town.

Do you have any tips to add? Leave your tips below.


As February slips away, Spring is getting closer, which usually means baring a little more skin. Sleeveless shirts, shorts, and swim suites can make some people feel a little weary since the New Year’s Resolutions just started. Although, New Planet Beer Company doesn’t think anyone should have to sacrifice a good beer while staying true to their health and fitness goals.

Finding a low calorie beer that tastes great, and doesn’t forfeit alcohol content, can be a daunting task. To lower the calorie content most brewers of light beer have to reduce the alcohol content.

New Planet Beers have fewer calories and higher alcohol content than other similar beers. For example, Tread Lightly Ale contains 125 calories per 12 oz beer, and 14 grams of carbohydrates, while the average craft beer contains 150-200+ calories and 15-20g of carbs! Our gluten-free beers are also approximately 5% ABV. Most other low-calorie beers are below 4% ABV because the alcohol is replaced with water in order to lower the calorie content.

All of our gluten-free beers are under 170 calories which means that anyone can enjoy New Planet Beer without worrying about the scale or the gluten. We even make it easy to keep track – all of the nutritional facts can be found on the side of any New Planet Beer bottle.

Enjoy a cold one!




At last, people in the Rocky Mountain Region and Midwest States following a gluten-free diet can also enjoy a great tasting craft beer. Boulder, Colorado based New Planet Beer Company offering gluten-free beers are now widely available throughout Colorado, Wyoming, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Oklahoma (March), and Nebraska (May) in grocery chains, liquor stores and restaurants. Additional Rocky Mountain Region and Midwest States will soon follow. Our beer locator doesn’t have our new locations listed as of yet, but be on the lookout in your state. We’ll let you know when the beer locator can provide the specific locations.

Some of you may be asking, “What about the rest of the United States?” We promise that we’re working on it! We have to be able to brew enough guaranteed gluten-free beer for everyone (that’s a lot of beer!), so it takes time to figure that out. We’ll keep you posted on additional states as we add them.

The good news– we’ll be offering all three styles of our gluten-free beer in the states we expand to.

Tread Lightly Ale – is a smooth and well-balanced “Pilsner like” style ale with citrus tones and light in body and color. Tread Lightly Ale is made from sorghum and corn extract, orange peel, hops, and yeast. Tread Lightly supports trail restoration.

3R Raspberry Ale – our award winning raspberry fruit ale has just the right balance of fruit flavor and aroma. 3R Raspberry Ale is made from sorghum and corn extract, natural raspberry puree, orange peel, hops, and yeast. ‘3R’ supports Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle – the 3R’s of waste reduction education.

Off Grid Pale Ale – is a wonderful interpretation of the classic pale ale style. It has a distinctly deep amber color and great character and body. The three varieties of hops provide a wonderful aroma and a citrus and spicy hop flavor. Made from sorghum and brown rice extract, tapioca maltodextrin, caramel color, molasses, hops, and yeast. Off Grid Pale Ale supports alternative energy efforts.

With over 3 million people in the U.S. diagnosed with Celiac disease, restaurants and other establishments are changing their menus to accommodate their gluten-free clientele.  Many stadiums across the country have begun to offer gluten-free options, from gluten-free hotdog and hamburger buns to cookies and beer!

Unfortunately, for those of you headed to Dallas for Super Bowl weekend will have to bring your own game day snacks, the new stadium doesn’t have gluten-free options. However, according to the website, they do permit people with “medical requirements and special needs” who can call ahead to bring in food and beverages. If you are planning on attending the game and want to bring in some gluten-free snacks, or some New Planet Beer, give the Cowboys Stadium Guest Services a call at (817) 892-4161.

For those of you watching the game from home or at a friends house, pick up some New Planet Beer at your local Colorado liquor store.

View New Planet Beer Store Locator >

Here is a recipe to go along with your New Planet Beer.

Emeril’s Black Bean and Corn Quesadillas
Recipe courtesy Emeril Lagasse, copyright Martha Stewart Omnimedia, Inc

Ingredients:

  • 2 teaspoons olive oil, plus more for cooking quesadilla
  • 1/2 cup diced red pepper
  • 1 cup frozen corn
  • 1/2 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • Kosher salt and black pepper
  • 1 lime, juiced
  • 12 corn tortillas
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
  • 3/4 cup grated queso blanco cheese or Monterey jack cheese
  • Salsa for serving
  • Light Sour Cream for serving

Method: Heat 1 teaspoon olive oil in a medium sized saute pan over medium heat. Add red peppers, corn, and black beans. Season with cumin, salt and pepper, cook for 3 to 5 minutes.

Add the lime juice, stir to combine, and remove from heat.

To assemble: Lay one tortilla in a hot skillet. Add 1/4 cup filling and then top with 2 tablespoon grated cheese. Top with another tortilla and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until slightly browned on the bottom tortilla. Flip and cook on the other side until slightly browned and the cheese has melted.

Cut each quesadilla into six triangles and serve warm with Salsa and light sour cream. Serves 6 to 8

The wait is over! Off Grid Pale Ale is now available in Colorado stores. Finally a smooth gluten-free hoppy beer that you’d never know is gluten-free.

Off Grid Pale Ale is a wonderful interpretation of the classic pale ale style with a distinct deep amber color, great character and body. Three varieties of hops provide a wonderful aroma and a citrus and spicy hop flavor. This smooth gluten-free ale is made from sorghum and brown rice extract, molasses, tapioca maltodextrin, caramel color, hops, and yeast. The beer has 170 calories, 5% ABV and is sold in 12oz bottles / 4-pack.

‘Off Grid’ of Off Grid Pale Ale suggests using alternative energy resources in your daily life. New Planet Beer Company will donate a portion of proceeds from the sale of Off Grid Pale Ale to non-profit organizations who support alternative energy efforts.

Learn more about Off Grid Pale Ale >

For those of you who live outside of Colorado, stay tuned because we’ll be expanding into the Rocky Mountain Region and Midwest States very soon. More details to come.

Here is a list of Colorado stores who are confirmed to have Off Grid Pale Ale. If your local liquor store doesn’t carry Off Grid Pale Ale, let them know you want it!

287 DISC LIQUORS
5846 S COLLEGE, FT COLLINS, CO80525

ACE DISCOUNT LIQUOR
2315 30TH ST, BOULDER, CO80301

ALAMEDA LIQUOR MART
9660 E ALAMEDA AVE, DENVER, CO80247

ARGONAUT WINE & LIQUOR
700 E COLFAX, DENVER, CO80203

BROADLAND LIQUORS
3700 W 144TH AVE #800, BROOMFIELD, CO80020

COALTRAIN WINE & LIQUOR
330 W. UINTAH, COLO SPGS, CO80905

COUNTY LINE W&S
720 AUSTIN ST, ERIE, CO80516

DRY CREEK DISCOUNT LIQUORS
7500 S UNIVERSITY BLVD, CENTENNIAL, CO80122

DUDLEY S DISCOUNT LIQUOR
3251 23RD AVE, EVANS, CO80620

EVERGREEN DISCOUNT LIQUORS
3847 S EVERGREEN PKWY, EVERGREEN, CO80439

GRAPEVINE WINE & LIQUORS
900 S. MONACO ST. PKWY, DENVER, CO80224

HARVEST WINE & SPIRITS
3075 ARAPAHOE, BOULDER, CO80301

HOVER CROSSING WINE & SPIRITS
1844 HOVER ST # E, LONGMONT, CO80501

JORDAN WINE & SPIRITS
17021 LINCOLN AVE # G, PARKER, CO80134

LIQUOR LAND
1020 KEN PRATTT BLVD A, LONGMONT, CO80501

LIQUOR MART
1750 15TH ST, BOULDER, CO80302

LOWRY LIQUOR LLC
200 QUEBEC ST STE 101, DENVER, CO80230

LUKAS LIQUOR SUPERSTORE
8457 S YOSEMITE, LONE TREE, CO80124

MARDI GRAS LIQUOR
2401 8TH AVE, GREELEY, CO80631

MAYFAIR LIQUOR
1385 KRAMERIA ST., DENVER, CO80220

MILE HIGH WINE & SPIRITS
435 S VANCE ST, LAKEWOOD, CO80226

PARKER PAYLESS LIQUORS
9749 S. PARKER RD., PARKER, CO80134

RIDGE LIQUORS
3333 ARAPAHOE RD, ERIE, CO80516

SPORTSMANS DISCOUNT LIQUOR
1817 MAIN STREET #201, LONGMONT, CO80501

STROH RANCH LIQ
12939 S. PARKER RD, PARKER, CO80134

SUPER LIQUOR MART
6700 S PIERCE, LITTLETON, CO80128

SUPER MARKET LIQUORS INC
1300 E MULBERRY, FT COLLINS, CO80521

WALLABY S LIQUOR WAREHOUSE
1550 S PARKER RD, DENVER, CO80231

WILBURS TOTAL BEVERAGE
2201 S COLLEGE AVE 108, FT COLLINS, CO80525

WINDSOR DISCOUNT LIQUOR
1215 L MAIN STREET, WINDSOR, CO80550

After a long day of skiing there are few things that sound more delicious and rewarding than a nice juicy burger and an ice-cold beer. For those of us that are gluten-free, eating on the mountain can be a rather arduous task.

Some mountains are expanding their menu with more gluten free options. At Two Elk Lodge on Vail Mountain, they have labeled all gluten-free options and even have gluten-free brownies!

We have compiled a list of gluten-free friendly ski snacks to help those out who don’t want to stop ripping the pow just to have a bite to eat. These snacks are easy to pack and can easily be eaten on the chair.

Justins Nut Butter

Take your pick, from honey peanut butter, to maple almond butter, or even chocolate hazelnut butter, Justins has you covered while on the slopes. All flavors come in jars, and most come in convenient squeeze packs that fit perfectly in a pocket. Pair with an apple, celery, or some crackers and you have a protein packed snack. Make sure to kneed the squeeze pack first, as they can become very cold while skiing.

Larabar

Larabars are a great source of energy and protein packed into a wonderful little bar. There are tons of flavors, and they are made from fresh and natural ingredients. Pick them up at your local health food store.

Corn Tortilla Wrap

A great little pick-me-up and easy to make. Take a gluten-free corn tortilla throw down your favorite condiments, hummus, turkey, avocado and roll it up. They are simple to put together and delicious. They are easy to put in a pocket as well, although they tend to crush easier upon impact.

New Planet Beer

Maybe not the easiest to pack in your ski coat, but if you are skiing in Colorado there’s a good chance that the ski lodge offers New Planet Beer. To be sure, check out our Beer Locator. Type in the zip code of the ski resort and see if the lodge shows up in the list.

What’s your favorite Gluten-Free ski snack?  Have you found any Gluten-Free friendly on-mountain restaurants?  Tell us!