To many, the abuse of animals for food already seems so pointless and cruel but very few are aware of the fact that animals are used for alcoholic beverages as well. What? There is dairy in my booze? Weird right?
Isinglass, a derivative of fish bladder is used for clearification of alcohol. This helps to keep wine and beer looking clear and not cloudy. Another use of isinglass? It is cooked into paste so that it may be used in specialized glues. Makes you really think about what you are consuming.
Gelatin is used in a variety of items anywhere from jello to paintballs to medications. This substance is made from boiling horse and cattle bones, tissues, and organs then extracting the collagen to create a mixture. Sounds yummy.
Egg whites and sea shells in addition to gelatin and isinglass are used in the filtering process. They help to catch impurities in the alcohol making it easier to catch in the filter. One would think using these products is just adding more impurities. I much prefer my drink without horse intestines.
Some companies will even drop a whole chicken into the mix while making their product. Who doesn't want a little chicken in their beer?
If these facts have got you rethinking your choice of beverage, then you're in luck. There happens to be a website that gives you a full list of beer, wine, and liquor to let you know if they are vegan or not. If you don't see your drink of choice, no problem. Contact them and let the research begin. Let's not forget, you can always contact the companies yourself.
Check out Barnivore.com for the list. Great name, isn't it? If you have an ipod, Barnivore has an app you can add, so when you are out and about, you can check the list in a matter of seconds. Since I don't have an ipod, I just check out their website on my phone.
Many products do not include these ingedients on their label, so it is useful to look them up on the Barnivore site. Some companies DO write vegan friendly on their bottles if they are free of animal ingredients.
And remember, when in doubt go with Corona.
One more thing to be aware of; some beverages are licensed in different regions and therefore manufactured by different companies. What does this mean? While a particular drink may be animal-free in the U.S., it may not be in Ireland. So if you are traveling abroad, be sure to do your research. If unsure, the best way to reduce your chance of getting a non-vegan drink is to order locally.
For some more info on gelatin, click here
To check out your favorite drink, go to Barnivore's website
Photo credit- www.geafiltration.com
Laeticia is an Organic Vegan dedicated to a healthy lifestyle and the mom of a sweet little boy. She is currently studying Sign Language and has interest in pursuing a career in Nutrition and Fitness. To follow Laeticia on Twitter, and facebook Laeticia's blog
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