I’m always cautious—and curious—when it comes to gluten-free beer. I used to love regular Peroni Nastro Azzurro beer when I travelled to Italy.  So when I saw Peroni Nastro Azzurro Gluten-Free in Italy I knew I had to investigate. It’s a big name, after all, and the label says it’s certified gluten-free by the AIC (Italian Celiac Association). On paper, it looks like a safe bet. But after trying it twice and having two bad reactions, I’m here to share why I do not consider it safe for people with celiac disease, despite the certification.

How Is Gluten-Free Peroni Made?

Peroni Gluten-Free (or Peroni Senza Glutine) is made by the same folks behind the traditional Peroni lager. According to the company, the beer is brewed using barley malt—just like regular beer—but undergoes a special “de-glutenization” process to remove the gluten content at the end of the brewing process. After this process, each batch is tested to ensure the test results meet the legal standard of less than 20 ppm (parts per million) of gluten, which qualifies it for certification by the Italian Coeliac Association in Italy and compliance with EU standards.

In simpler terms, it’s a “gluten-removed” beer, not a naturally gluten-free one. This is an important distinction for people with celiac disease. 

As someone who is incredibly sensitive to gluten, I never recommend gluten-reduced or gluten-removed beers. If you have celiac disease you cannot consume these types of beers because it is not gluten-free, but instead very low gluten. 

Are you travelling to Rome? Check out my FAVORITE gluten-free restaurants in Rome.

You can find Gluten-Free Peroni all over Rome including at Mama Eat, Pizza in Trevi, La Soffita, and numerous other AIC-recommended restaurants! If you’re gluten-free by choice then enjoy having Gluten-Free Peroni at any of these places.

I love travelling to Rome because it is so accessible for those with celiac disease. It’s so nice to not have to think about finding safe restaurants. Travelling to Italy really helps my celiac-anxiety. I’ve been to other cities in Italy where I had no issues finding celiac safe food including – Florence, Assisi, Milan, and Pompeii!

Why I Don’t Recommend Gluten-Free Peroni (Even If It’s Certified)

Despite the AIC certification and low ppm lab results, my body told a different story. I gave Gluten-Free Peroni two chances—both in social settings where I was otherwise eating safely—and I got sick both times. The reactions were unmistakably celiac-related: nausea, brain fog, and that all-too-familiar gut pain that knocks me out for the rest of the night.

I’ve since learned I’m not alone. Many people with celiac disease report reacting to gluten-removed beers, including Peroni and other similar products like Omission or Estrella Damm Daura. The issue is that the current testing methods may not detect all toxic fragments of gluten, especially those that have been hydrolyzed or broken down during processing. So while the beer might technically test below 20 ppm gluten, it doesn’t mean it’s truly safe for every celiac.

Certified Doesn’t Always Mean Safe

The AIC certification gives a false sense of security for many people. And while the AIC does important advocacy and awareness work in Italy, I believe their standards for gluten-removed products are not strict enough for those of us who are highly sensitive. 

If a product is made with barley malt, no amount of enzyme treatment can guarantee that the final result is fully safe for celiacs—especially when we’re dealing with autoimmune responses, not just mild sensitivities.

My Bottom Line

 If you have celiac disease or you’re on a strict gluten-free diet, I do not recommend drinking Peroni Nastro Azzurro Gluten Free. No matter how tempting it is to enjoy an “authentic Italian beer” with your pasta, it’s not worth the risk. I’ve learned the hard way (twice!) that even certified products aren’t always safe—and when it comes to celiac, your body’s response matters more than a label.

Stick with truly gluten-free beers—the ones brewed from gluten-free grains like rice, sorghum, millet, or buckwheat. Your gut will thank you, and you can enjoy your drink with real peace of mind.

And if you just have a gluten intolerance and you don’t have a high gluten sensitivity, you can give it a shot, but make sure you are aware that it does have gluten-containing ingredients and you try it with others who you trust in case you have a reaction. It does taste like a normal Peroni!

If you have celiac disease, you can check out my full post on the best gluten free beer in the United States. Fortunately, in recent years, we now have more and more options of gluten free brands! All of these beers are made with no gluten-containing ingredients and have 0 ppm of gluten! My favourite gluten-free beer and the best option for celiacs is Holidaily Brewing out in Colorado – they are a 100% gluten-free brewery!