Potato/Yam Beers? Need help identifying...

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by Cowabunga, Jan 3, 2014.

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  1. Cowabunga

    Cowabunga Initiate (0) Nov 13, 2013 Massachusetts

    Hi guys,

    Like most of you, I'm a big microbrew guy. Trying new beer is my favorite hobby. I have a severe food allergy to potatoes, sweet potatoes, and yams (anaphalaxis shock). This has never been a problem, and a reason I stick with beer and never vodka; however, at a craft brew fest I had a beer in hand, was about to take a sip, and a guy next to me was talking to one of the brewery employees and he mentioned it was made with potatoes. I was seconds away from death, and have been pretty hesitant about going to another craft beer fest (I used to love them).

    Can anyone give me a list of beers they know off hand that have potato, sweet potato, or yams? I want to put a list together in my phone. It would really help me out! I found some on Google, but I know it's not the whole story.

    CN: Deathly allergic to potatoes, looking for potato/yam beers so I can avoid them.
     
  2. peensteen

    peensteen Pooh-Bah (1,891) Apr 3, 2010 Canada (ON)
    Pooh-Bah

    There is a brewer in Ontario that uses sweet potato in their pumpkin beer....It is the only pumpkin beer I have seen that uses it but maybe other brewers do as well. Basically what i'm saying is that some pumpkin beers may contain potato. Also, if your at a festival it never hurts before you get your pour to ask just to be sure.
     
  3. Ace_of_Suds

    Ace_of_Suds Initiate (0) Nov 12, 2013 New York

    Bruery Autumn Maple
     
    szmnnl99 likes this.
  4. atomic

    atomic Pundit (945) Sep 22, 2009 Illinois

    Pipeworks Batata beers have sweet potatoes. Very little risk of you getting that by accident though.
     
    spicoli00 likes this.
  5. mikeburd1128

    mikeburd1128 Maven (1,409) Oct 28, 2011 New Jersey

    Why not just be more aware of what you're drinking in the future? It seems to me like compiling what is sure to be a lengthy list of beers (most of which you would most likely not even have access to) is not the best way to avoid them.
     
    5thOhio and PapaGoose03 like this.
  6. Pug

    Pug Initiate (0) Jun 6, 2012 Minnesota

    Indeed Sweet Yamma Jamma (doesn't yet distribute outside of MN, but I think they are one that might expand big in the future.
     
    monkeysort and gatornation like this.
  7. PapaGoose03

    PapaGoose03 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,057) May 30, 2005 Michigan
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    Potatoes and sweet potatoes are such an unusual ingredient in beer so that you could not expect to find all incidents where it is used. However, because it is an unusual ingredient I think it should be obvious in most cases whenever it is used, i.e. Bell's make s a Sweet Potato Stout, so pretty obvious. Pumpkin ales, etc. should always be suspect, and possibly other styles too. But I agree with mikeburd1128 above, it needs to be up to you to be cautious when consuming anything (not just beer), and not to use a list because it can give you a sense of false security.
     
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  8. willbm3

    willbm3 Initiate (0) Feb 19, 2010 Massachusetts

    What's wrong with vodka? Don't they just use the starch from the potatoes to ferment into alcohol? There's no potato in the end product
     
  9. Knapp85

    Knapp85 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,712) Dec 25, 2009 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I would imagine that he'd be allergic to anything that comes from a Potato base... Which really must suck because Potatoes are awesome!

    I would think that the biggest threats would be something from the Oktoberfest and Autumn Ales lineup. There could be some around the christmas season as well... I would say if you're in doubt do some research before trying the beer or buying it. If it's not marked on the label check the breweries website and see if it's labeled there at all. If it's too risky there are still like 100 other styles you could drink with confidence I would say.

    Good luck and Cheers to trying new beers!
     
  10. marquis

    marquis Pooh-Bah (2,313) Nov 20, 2005 England
    Pooh-Bah

    Tolly Cobbold used to use potatoes as a penny pinching adjunct but I don't know of any brewer who still uses them.
     
    azorie likes this.
  11. willbm3

    willbm3 Initiate (0) Feb 19, 2010 Massachusetts

    Obviously...but it's not like there are potato particles in vodka. The potato starch is fermented and distilled leaving you with ethanol.
     
  12. zid

    zid Grand Pooh-Bah (3,132) Feb 15, 2010 New York
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I would simply avoid any and all pumpkin beers (no loss there :wink:), any vague fall/autumn seasonals, and anything with potato/yam in the name. I imagine that would cover all the bases.
     
  13. StuartCarter

    StuartCarter Pundit (922) Apr 25, 2006 Alabama

    Lazy Magnolia Jefferson Stout is made with sweet potatoes.
     
  14. jdaddy

    jdaddy Initiate (0) Nov 19, 2010 Pennsylvania

    Thank you for pointing out the obvious much, much more nicely than I could have.
     
    StLeasy likes this.
  15. StLeasy

    StLeasy Initiate (0) Sep 8, 2013 Illinois

    :stuck_out_tongue:
    @Cowabunga-
    Shouldn't you be carrying an epi-pen anyway? As others have said, it is a very uncommon ingredient.
     
    azorie likes this.
  16. SrMonkey

    SrMonkey Initiate (0) Mar 19, 2008 Wisconsin

    he'd be allergic to proteins and possibly particular sugars in potatoes, neither of which are distilled to the final product. Same reason people with celiac can drink whiskey and vodka distilled from wheat.

    Doesn't apply to beer. And most 'pumpkin' puree is actually sweet potato, so be very particular what pumpkin beer you drink.
     
  17. WTKeene

    WTKeene Initiate (0) Jul 13, 2013 New Mexico

    Ranger Creek Small Batch #7 is a Sweet Potato stout, but that's a beer that sees limited distribution even within Texas. I hear it's pretty tasty, though. I have a bottle waiting for me when I get back.
     
  18. monkeysort

    monkeysort Initiate (0) May 18, 2009 Minnesota

  19. DWheeler379

    DWheeler379 Zealot (747) Jun 15, 2012 Colorado

    In NC:
    Fullsteam - Carver Sweet Potato Lager
    Birdsong - St. Tuber Abbey Ale
     
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