I have a hops sensitivity/allergy... Suggestions?

Discussion in 'Pacific' started by Tamara1976, Mar 22, 2021.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. Tamara1976

    Tamara1976 Initiate (0) Mar 22, 2021

    I learned that I have a sensitivity or allergy to hops over the last year.

    YES. I am certain. No, I didn’t learn this by drinking beer. I was being tested for other allergies, and the baseline was a “medical food” shake that uses hops for fiber content. I am not allergic or sensitive to anything else in the shake.

    The only other time I feel like that (bloating, borborygmus, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort) is when I drink IPA. I love a good citrus or pineapple IPA, but I am MISERABLE afterwards.

    I’ve tried grisette. Love it. Porters are wonderful, Guinness is a one-and-done staple. Irish Death is a go. Witbier is a go.

    Anything else you can think of? This isn’t about bitterness. It is about the fact that hops *tear up* my guts. It seems to be a matter of degree, and beers don’t list hops content. I like beer periodically, but I have been excluding it to avoid making myself sick.

    If you want to tell me “drink it and go sit on the toilet,” please keep scrolling. I am seeking constructive commentary from knowledgeable people.

    Thanks!
     
    #1 Tamara1976, Mar 22, 2021
    BBThunderbolt, unlikelyspiderperson and distantmantra like this.
  2. sharpski

    sharpski Grand Pooh-Bah (3,100) Oct 11, 2010 Oregon
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    If you liked grisette, exploring more saison/farmhouse beers seems an easy recommendation. Belgian dubbels/tripels/quads and German wheat beers (hefeweizen, kristallweizen, weizenbock, etc.) are other yeast-forward styles with typically low hop usage.

    You're already hip to porters and stouts, other malt-forward styles like brown ales, strong ales, barleywines may suit you, though you're better off avoiding any that use "American" as part of the style as it usually signifies a more hop-forward version.

    Sour/acidic beers are lightly hopped (some exceptions, though the label would advertise it). So fruited sour beers, Goses, Flanders Reds, mixed culture and brett beers.
     
    #2 sharpski, Mar 22, 2021
    kemoarps, BBThunderbolt, John_M and 3 others like this.
  3. DefenCorps

    DefenCorps Grand Pooh-Bah (4,838) Jan 18, 2007 Oregon
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Ouch! That sounds painful!

    I'd recommend some gruits as well - they have no hops at all. Williams out of Scotland makes some really tasty ones. And if you're local, try some beers from Upright, especially Special Herbs. Also, a few breweries are experimenting with wine/beer hybrids that are by design low on hops.

    Out of curiosity, are fresh hops the problem, or are aged hops also a problem. Lambics are heavily hopped with aged/oxidized hops, so the bitterness and flavors are long gone, but the preservative properties are still around. Might be worth a shot, but its an expensive hobby.
     
    #3 DefenCorps, Mar 22, 2021
    woemad, kemoarps, John_M and 3 others like this.
  4. distantmantra

    distantmantra Pooh-Bah (2,954) May 23, 2011 Washington
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Most lambics used aged hops so I’m guessing they likely don’t impart much of the oils that are messing with you.
     
    #4 distantmantra, Mar 22, 2021
    kemoarps, John_M and sharpski like this.
  5. Tamara1976

    Tamara1976 Initiate (0) Mar 22, 2021

    Thank you so much. This is what I needed!

    Our local specialty beer shop had only ONE grisette. Any specific recommendations for this type? I really enjoyed its brightness, which is what I like about IPAs. Any specific saison/farmhouse recommendations?
     
    #5 Tamara1976, Mar 22, 2021
    kemoarps likes this.
  6. Tamara1976

    Tamara1976 Initiate (0) Mar 22, 2021

    Thank very much! I have avoided Lambics because of the hops in them, but I will slowly give them a try.
     
    #6 Tamara1976, Mar 22, 2021
    kemoarps likes this.
  7. distantmantra

    distantmantra Pooh-Bah (2,954) May 23, 2011 Washington
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Where do you live? Distribution is key in answering questions like this.
     
    #7 distantmantra, Mar 22, 2021
    woemad and kemoarps like this.
  8. Tamara1976

    Tamara1976 Initiate (0) Mar 22, 2021

    I have avoided them because of the hops. I will slowly try some. I don’t know if it is oils, some protein in the hops, or what it is. I simply found it hilarious that someone was trying to convince me I have a problem with gluten (I know I don’t) or dairy (also not an issue) and had me consume a “clean” baseline diet supplemented by a non-allergenic shake, then tested various foods. It was the stupid “non-allergenic” shake that made me sick as a dog!

    I think living in the PNW means a wealth of IPAs, so even though beer isn’t a daily thing, I believe most of what we normally have is... IPA. Thankfully, my husband lived in Germany and developed a love for some really lovely beers... I probably would never have tried a dunkel, if not for him, and those seem to be a-okay as well.

    Meh, at least I know what I need to avoid!

    Thanks again!
     
    #8 Tamara1976, Mar 22, 2021
    sharpski, unlikelyspiderperson, distantmantra and 1 other person like this.
  9. sharpski

    sharpski Grand Pooh-Bah (3,100) Oct 11, 2010 Oregon
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Grisettes are relatively obscure, but a part of the larger saison/farmhouse style family that shares those bright qualities.

    Letting us know which part of the NW you’re in will help us make more specific recommendations, or you can go to your local bottle shop and ask for their recommendations.
     
    #9 sharpski, Mar 22, 2021
    woemad, kemoarps and BBThunderbolt like this.
  10. John_M

    John_M Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,849) Oct 25, 2003 Washington
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    If you can find it, I would highly recommend Special Herbs from Upright brewing in PDX. The beer style for the beer is Gruit, which I believe is another style that doesn't use hops. Regardless, the beer is hugely flavorful and delicious.

    Good luck!
     
    #10 John_M, Mar 22, 2021
    woemad, kemoarps, BBThunderbolt and 1 other person like this.
  11. distantmantra

    distantmantra Pooh-Bah (2,954) May 23, 2011 Washington
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Total Wine carries Special Herbs, so that might be easier depending on where they live.
     
    #11 distantmantra, Mar 23, 2021
    woemad, kemoarps and John_M like this.
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.