The Pause That Refreshes

The award-winning Conshohocken Brewing Company has released its first gluten-free beer. The seasonal Semicolon (4.7% ABV) is a gluten-free pale ale described as "golden, crisp and pleasantly hoppy upfront with a smooth finish featuring notes of citrus and pine." The 2020 version is brewed with sorghum and made entirely with gluten-free ingredients. The brewery undertakes extensive equipment cleaning practices between runs and uses the R5 Competitive ELISA test to measure gluten at less than 10 ppm.

A four-pack of Semicolon sells for $13 and is available for curbside pickup at the suburban Philadelphia brewery's locations in Conshohocken (739 E. Elm St.), King of Prussia (3100 Horizon Dr.), Bridgeport (Puddlers Kitchen, 3 Dekalb St.), Phoenixville (Rec Room, 230 Bridge St.) and Havertown (Town Tap, 13 W. Benedict Ave.).

The beer can also be shipped to Pennsylvania addresses via Conshy Express.

Semicolon debuted last year as a non-gluten-free amber IPA; the liquid changes every year, but the name and mission are the same. A portion of the proceeds benefits the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Join Gluten Free Philly at the Pa. Virtual Gluten Free Expo November 7

The PA Virtual Gluten Free Expo will take place next Saturday, November 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and can be accessed by going to www.glutenfreeexpopa.com.  This free, live online event will fill the void left by the cancellation of this year’s Greater Philly Gluten Free Expo in Oaks and the Central PA Gluten Free Expo in Camp Hill.  

The expo will allow for video chat with local and national gluten-free exhibitors, eight live-streamed educational presentations, and various giveaways.  Over 40 virtual exhibitor booths will be online for the event, such as Philadelphia-based Flakely, where Chef Lila Colello creates gluten-free French pastry, including brioche and croissants.  

Speakers will include Lisa Fahey, M.D., Clinical Director of the Celiac Center at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and yours truly.

In 2019, over 3,800 consumers attended the two in-person gluten-free events. Those interested in attending the expo can pre-register at https://glutenfreeexpo.live/Pre-register and enter to win gluten-free prizes. If you don't register in advance, you can simply go to the event homepage on the day of the event.

Businesses interested in exhibiting can email info@connectingglutenfree.com for details.

Follow the event through social media:

Twitter: www.twitter.com/@PhillyGFExpo                 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/PhillyGlutenFreeExpo

Instagram: www.instagram.com/@PhillyGlutenFreeExpo

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Presentation Schedule on November 7, 2020:                                                

11:00 a.m.  “Three Steps to Gluten Free Living” with Melinda Arcara, author and publisher of glutenfreebebe.com

11:00 a.m.  “Gluten-Free Dining and Product Q&A” with Michael Savett, publisher, glutenfreephilly.com

Noon  “Gluten Free College 101” with Andrea Balzano Tucker, celiac advocate and podcaster, BaltimoreGlutenFree.com

Noon “Celiac session” with Beyond Celiac

1:00 p.m.  “Associated Conditions of Celiac Disease” with Lisa Fahey, M.D., Clinical Director of the Celiac Center, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

1:00 p.m.  “Navigating Social Settings and Eating Out When Gluten-Free” with Safiya Carter, allergy-sensitive/gluten-free food inventor, chef, consultant

2:00 p.m.  “Gluten-Free Road Trips” with Elikqite, publisher of the Travel Gluten-Free podcast

2:00 p.m.  “Cooking Techniques For Those New to a Gluten-Free Diet” with Melinda Arcara, author and publisher of glutenfreebebe.com

Current Exhibitor Lineup:

Presenting Sponsor: Wegmans

Platinum Sponsor: Aleia’s Gluten-Free

7 Muffins A Day

Arbonne 

Aurochs Brewing Company

B.C. Brewery

Batimore Gluten Free

Beautycounter

Ben and Jerry's

Chebe Bread Products

Chomps

Dessert Crazy

Don't Go Nuts

Eban's Bakehouse

EpiLynx LLC

Every Body Eat®

Flakely, LLC

Flax4Life

Freely Vegan

Full Flavor Foods

Gem City Fine Foods

Giant

Hodo Foods

Home Free Treats

Kay's Naturals

Mikey's

Mom's Place Gluten Free

Nomato by Norine

PASTA LIFE – Gluten-Free Pasta Straws

Red Plate

Savor Street

The Soulful Project

Undercover Snacks

Village Eatinghouse

Weis Markets

* This is a sponsored post *

Cheers to Beer

Though the world’s largest commercial beer competition in the world is now in its 39th year, the Great American Beer Festival went virtual for the first time this month. In the Gluten-Free Beer category, the judges awarded Gold and Silver medals, with the top prize going to western Pennsylvania's Auroch Brewing Co. 

Auroch's Hazy IPA (6.7% ABV) is described by the brewers as "dynamic tropical fruit flavor and aroma.  The hops pack a punch to the nose with notes of papaya, mango, peach, and orange. A soft, pillowy mouthfeel that rests on your tongue. Extra quinoa for turbidity. Hazy and juicy. Brewed with millet, quinoa, buckwheat, hops, and yeast." 

Hazy IPA is one of Auroch's styles that is available for shipping to residents of Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C. Auroch's beers are also sold at retailers throughout Pennsylvania.

In second place was 1808 (5.6% ABV), from Madison, Wisconsin's ALT Brew. According to the brewers, this porter is a "malty dark ale with complex roasty characteristics and a balanced bitterness."

The Festival’s Gluten-Free Beer category includes only beers made from fermentable sugars, grains and converted carbohydrates. Gluten-reduced beers are not considered part of this grouping because their gluten levels – derived from malted barley – have been reduced by enzymes or other processes.

Virtual Gluten Free Expo Slated For Nov. 7

With COVID-19 preventing large-scale gatherings, the Greater Philly Gluten Free Expo is converting to a virtual event next month. This free virtual expo, scheduled for November 7, will connect guests with gluten-free companies, and feature expert classes and great giveaways. Pre-register here and get updates on the event.

VIP tickets are available for purchase and include a special VIP-only online event on November 5, a goodie box with samples and coupons sent to ticket holders and first dibs on 2021 VIP tickets.

An Evening Beyond Celiac Set for October 23

Beyond Celiac, the nation’s leading celiac disease organization known for its tireless work in patient advocacy and as the driving catalyst for a cure, is making another big move to empower and serve its community. On Oct. 23 at 7 pm ET/4 pm PT, the organization is hosting An Evening Beyond Celiac, the largest virtual event of its kind this year, to celebrate the ongoing acceleration of work to find a cure for celiac disease by 2030.

With anticipated participation from community members in every state in the country, the exciting evening will spotlight the Beyond Celiac scientific roadmap and the multidisciplinary, partnership-based approach that will bring results. Mixed into the evening’s agenda are musical performances and ask-the-expert segments.

“A cure for celiac disease is within our reach, so Beyond Celiac is hosting the biggest evening our community has ever seen to celebrate what life will be like once we can finally eat without fear,” said Beyond Celiac CEO Alice Bast. “With the strides we are making in research and the unrivaled focus and innovation of our science team, this night will be an entertainment-filled salute to the power of working together to accelerate a cure.”

Highlights planned for An Evening Beyond Celiac with emcee Diana Rocco, reporter for New York’s ABC7 (formerly of CBS3 in Philadelphia), include:

• A discussion with Beyond Celiac Chief Scientist & Strategy Officer Salvo Alesci, MD, PhD; Chief Scientific Investment Officer Ken Kilgore, PhD, MBA; and Board Chair Alan Ehrlich, MD, and moderated by Beyond Celiac CEO Alice Bast
• Ask-the-Expert segments with New York Times best-selling author Mark Hyman, MD and pediatric gastroenterologist Ritu Verma, MD, University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center
• Exclusive musical performances by Marian Hill, the band behind the hit song “Down”
• Additional musical performances by Beyond Celiac ambassador and operatic tenor Arturo Chacón-Cruz and Philadelphia duo The Younger Brothers Band
• A gluten-free cooking demo with comedian Anna Vocino
• A few surprises and notable guests!

Through Sept. 10, any donation to the organization’s SepTENber campaign includes access to the virtual event. Starting Sept. 11, individual access requires a minimum contribution of $50. Sponsorship packages from $125 – $25,000 are also available and include delivery of gourmet gluten-free meals to enjoy during the celebration, as well as other gifts and recognition of support. 

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.beyondceliac.org/evening.