Estrella Damm Daura 6Pk is a gluten-removed pale lager from Barcelona, Spain, brewed at 5.4% ABV and sold in six-packs of 330ml (11.2 oz) bottles. Named World's Best Gluten-Free Beer at the 2023 World Beer Awards, Daura stands apart in the category by starting with traditional barley malt rather than substitute grains, delivering a flavor profile that rivals conventional lagers. Quick Facts: ABV: 5.4% | Origin: Barcelona, Spain | Style: Gluten-Removed Pale Lager | Brewery: S.A. Damm Production & Heritage S.A. Damm, founded in 1876 in Barcelona, is one of Spain's oldest and most prominent brewing companies. While many gluten-free beers rely on sorghum, millet, or rice as their base grain, Daura begins with a traditional barley malt and rice recipe — then employs a proprietary enzymatic hydrolyzation and protein precipitation process that breaks down gluten protein chains to below detectable levels. This approach preserves the authentic malt character and body that alternative-grain beers often struggle to replicate, resulting in a lager that earned Gold at the 2025 World Beer Awards and Gold Medals at both the World Beer Championships in Chicago and the International Beer Challenge in London (both 2011). Tasting Notes Aroma: Fresh spice leads the nose with notable generosity, backed by light cereal grain sweetness. A subtle floral hop presence rounds out a clean, inviting bouquet. Taste: The entry is crisp and clean, with classic malt flavor arriving immediately on the palate. Mid-palate brings a lively acidity that keeps the beer bright and refreshing, while the rice component contributes a lean, smooth drinkability. Fine, persistent carbonation creates a polished mouthfeel without aggressive fizz. Finish: The finish is decidedly bitter and long-lasting, balancing the malt sweetness with firm hop structure. A dry, clean close invites the next sip without any lingering heaviness. How to Drink Daura Serve cold — between 4°C and 6°C (39–43°F) — in a pilsner glass or tulip to release the spice aromatics. A Michelada benefits from Daura's bright acidity and clean malt, which balances the lime and hot sauce without muddying the drink. A Shandy pairs well here, as the firm bitterness holds up against lemonade sweetness. A Beer Margarita (Beergarita) works thanks to Daura's crisp body and dry finish, which keeps the cocktail from becoming cloying. Best For Hosting guests with gluten sensitivities who still want an authentic lager experience Summer grilling sessions where a crisp, food-friendly beer is essential Introducing someone skeptical of gluten-free beer to a genuinely impressive option Stocking a home fridge with a versatile everyday lager that happens to be gluten-removed Frequently Asked Questions What does Daura taste like? Daura delivers a classic pale lager profile — clean malt sweetness, lively acidity, and a firm, bitter finish — with none of the off-flavors commonly associated with gluten-free alternatives. Its fine carbonation and smooth body make it virtually indistinguishable from a conventional European lager. How does Daura compare to Redbridge? Redbridge, brewed by Anheuser-Busch, uses sorghum as its base grain and produces a slightly sweeter, fruitier flavor profile at 4.8% ABV. Daura starts with barley malt and removes gluten enzymatically, resulting in a drier, more traditionally malty lager at 5.4% ABV with greater hop bitterness. Is Daura good for people avoiding gluten? Daura is classified as gluten-removed (not gluten-free from a grain perspective) because it begins with barley; however, the proprietary enzymatic process reduces gluten to below internationally recognized thresholds. Individuals with celiac disease should consult their physician, as responses to gluten-removed beers can vary. Where is Daura made? Daura is brewed by S.A. Damm in Barcelona, Spain, a brewery founded in 1876 in the Catalonia region. The brand draws on over 140 years of Mediterranean brewing tradition. What foods pair well with Daura? Grilled seafood, especially shrimp and calamari, pairs naturally with the beer's crisp acidity. Spanish-style tapas — patatas bravas, jamón serrano, and manchego cheese — complement the malt character. Spicy dishes like Thai green curry or Mexican street tacos work well, as Daura's bitterness and carbonation cut through heat and richness. What sizes does Daura come in? Daura is commonly available in 330ml (11.2 oz) bottles, most frequently sold as a six-pack. Is Daura worth the price? Daura positions as a moderately priced import lager, sitting slightly above mass-market domestic gluten-free options but in line with other quality European imports. The World Beer Awards recognition and genuine barley-malt character justify its standing in the category. Why Daura? The fundamental challenge in gluten-free brewing has always been flavor — remove the barley, and you lose the malt backbone that defines lager. Daura sidesteps this entirely by keeping barley in the recipe and engineering the gluten out through enzymatic processing, a distinction that earned it the title of World's Best Gluten-Free Beer at the 2023 World Beer Awards. Backed by S.A. Damm's century-plus of brewing expertise in Barcelona, this is not a compromise beer designed to fill a dietary niche — it is a legitimate European pale lager that stands on its own merits. For anyone who thought going gluten-free meant giving up real beer flavor, Daura is the most credible argument to the contrary.
