Isinglass, Cochineal, GMOs: What’s in Your Beer?

GMOs Are Everywhere

Then there are Genetically Modified Organisms or GMOs, which are present in many beer brands in the form of grains. The use of GMO grains in beer is controversial and even though consumers might not agree with it, it’s unlikely that they will stop, because the use of some GMOs is allowed by health, food, safety, and ingredient regulations, especially in the U.S.

The controversy surrounding GMOs, not only in beer but across the entire food industry, is that people don’t really know what they are and they often get associated with mutations, cancer, the plague, the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, and just about anything else that is considered evil. The truth is that GMOs are not as bad as the internet wants us to think. Cultures usually evolve by themselves over a long period of time and genetic modification simply allows scientists to speed up the process. This is how scientists can create crops that are more resistant to drought, to viruses, and to some harmful bugs. In turn, this can lead to better crop yields, which is very important as the world population grows and requires more food.

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All in all, the fact that beer companies use isinglass, cochineal, and GMOs in their manufacturing processes has not been a secret, as their use is allowed by regulations and doesn’t have a harmful effect on consumers’ health. Some brewers adapted and discarded the use of some ingredients in order to address issues that caused concerns among certain consumer groups. However, generally speaking, the only thing that is likely to change once you know that your favorite brew might be made using fish guts, crushed bugs and/or some genetically-altered ingredients is your perception of it. Either way, it’s good to know what’s in your beer, and now you do.

Disclosure: None