Is Alcohol Vegan

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11 Comments

  1. I think you have an auto correct issuing in this section: Yes, however, for wine and beer, many companies use animal products as thinning agents

    Should it be fining instead of thinning?

  2. Great article! Definitely saving this one! Thank you for all your efforts into it!
    I have friendly thoughts to share. I don’t have many vegan friends, so this is a great place for me to get to have a conversation w/ like minded folks. 🙂 <3
    I'd be curious to learn more about the production of yeast. Cane is used in the production of it, which is commonly filtered w/ bone char.
    Soil, animal fertilizer.
    Ink on labels, often have animal byproduct.
    Some vegan wines, I can't recall the name off the top of my head, age wine or it's for another purpose (can't recall) by burying the wine with bull horns. I remember, the company claimed to be vegan and in many ways were very close. I called them to ask more questions and in the process learned about the bull horns. Really, why? All that effort to make a vegan product, to do that in the end.
    While there are some reported health benefits of drinking wine, what is the value really? Is it necessary for my overall survival?
    I chose not to have it, simply because in the varying ways I mentioned above, along with your insights, when it comes down to it, wine, along with pretty much everything, touches animal. I make huge efforts to only have what I need. To have a drink of wine, for pleasure, when I know that an animal suffered for the label, the filtering process of cane, fertilizer, bull horns, or other agents you mentioned. That is ok, I don't need it.
    It stinks that we feel awkward in moments. I am guilty of succumbing to fear. I had a moment yesterday where I had to react quickly and said the wrong thing, driven by fear, and had to make efforts to rectify the situation. In the heat of the moment, it isn't easy (we are complex beings), but we have to try to stay grounded through our fear, know our purpose, and stand to our values. If people don't like us for that, then why would we want them in our circle of friends? I don't grill my friends to be like me (I offer commentary and impress people by being an example, but I don't hound them), so, the least they can do is have grace when I want to look something up on my phone that is important to me. They can get their drinks, I can research (either ahead or while there), and order a drink 20 minutes later, if I find something that suits my values. Or, be the designated driver because everyone needs one of those.
    Great email and these are only my points to ponder. I hope it comes across as a friendly conversation. 🙂 <3
    I have been thinking about this a lot lately, so I was excited to read it!
    Thank you, all, for all you do, and the strives you make to create a more peaceful world!
    With Love,
    Dana

    1. P.s. I made the comment about some health benefits, but Melissa’s comment about it being a class 1 carcinogen definitely trumps any other claimed benefit. <3

    2. Hi, Dana!
      Thanks for taking the time to write such a thoughtful comment. You have certainly opened up my eyes to stages of the production of alcohol that I hadn’t considered. Although, I can see that it’s possible to produce vegan wine, even with your concerns. It just makes it near impossible to verify. Hopefully, there will be more transparency regarding the whole process in time.
      And yes, you’re in the right place to share and express yourself 🙂 We value your contribution.
      Thank you for being so compassionate!

      1. Thank you for your reply! Yes, I believe it is possible and cheers to more transparency! Hope you have a nice weekend and my gratitude to you both.

    3. Hi, Dana. It sounds to me as though you might be talking about biodynamic farming. I’m not sure if all biodynamic farmers do this, but they can bury things like bull horns into the soil, arranged in a particular way, because they believe it will help improve the soil somehow. I watched a show on wine growers and I saw one couple do this.

  3. Great article! I’ve also been guilty of not checking whether alcohol is vegan whilst out. Usually though, when buying from a store myself, I try to research or buy the brands I know are vegan. But this is definitely a push to be more conscious as I really don’t want to be supporting the production or use of those animal product fining agents – spelt out like that just makes me cringe. Thank you for everything you do 🙂

    1. Thanks, Lucy! It’s cool to see that you and I have had the same struggles. I’m glad this article has given you that extra bit of motivation when you’re not consuming alcohol in your own environment 🙂

  4. This is a great article, and I admit, I grappled with the same issues with alcohol when I started on my path to being a plant based person. As you point out in your post, it’s complicated!

    But I had an easy decision to make when I discovered alcohol is a class 1 carcinogen, along with processed meats. Part of me choosing to go entirely plant based (I was previously vegetarian) was for my own health. Drinking alcohol just doesn’t align with my health values anymore so I quit. Luckily, just as there are so many great plant based food options out there, there seem to be more alcohol free options too & I don’t feel like I’m missing out!

    Love your work guys, thanks for this piece.
    Cheers, Melissa

    1. Hi Melissa,

      You make a valid point. There’s definitely a health consideration when it comes to alcohol. Thanks for sharing your experience. Already broadening perspectives 🙂