- You are here:
- Home »
- Beer Talk »
- Grolsch Fact File: Everything You Wanted to Know
Grolsch Fact File: Everything You Wanted to Know
Grolsch is famous for its cool bottles, its memorable marketing campaigns, and for being a very decent lager. But how many calories are there in Grolsch? How strong is it? Is Grolsch gluten-free? Or vegan? What beer is similar to Grolsch? Let’s find out.
There are 227 calories in a pint of Grolsch (568ml). The alcohol content of Grolsch is 5%. Due to Grolsch containing malted barley, it cannot be described as gluten-free. However, it is vegan as it does not use isinglass or other animal products in the brewing process.
In this article, I will answer the above questions properly, look at why Grolsch is so difficult to find in the UK and discuss similar beers to Grolsch.
How Many Calories Are There in Grolsch?
According to the Grolsch website, there are 40 calories per 100ml in Grolsch. Using that information, I can work out how many calories there are in a pint, a bottle, and a can.
- There are 227 calories in a pint of Grolsch (568ml)
- There are 200 calories in a 500ml can of Grolsch
- There are 180 calories in a 450ml bottle of Grolsch
- There are 132 calories in a 330ml bottle of Grolsch
How Much Alcohol is There in Grolsch?
Grolsch is 5% abv. This seems to be the case whether you order a pint, get it from a bottle, or in a can. This is not always the case with beers, particularly ales. But Grolsch is a commercial lager, which are often uniform.
Is Grolsch Gluten-Free?
Sadly not, Grolsch is brewed with malted barley which is a source of gluten. Therefore, Grolsch is not gluten-free.
Is Grolsch Vegan?
Yes, unlike English ales that use isinglass to clarify their beers, Grolsch is filtered without the use of animal products such as collagen. Therefore it is vegan-friendly. Check out my article on whether beer is vegan or not to learn more.
Where to Buy Grolsch in the UK?
In 2019, Grolsch announced that they would stop brewing their beer in the UK and that it would stop being available in Supermarkets. I only learned this while researching this very article, and I’m pretty gutted. I didn’t drink Grolsch often, but every now and then it was always a treat.
At the moment, the only place where Grolsch seems to be being sold is on Amazon. However, the price is ridiculous! 12 bottles of 450ml Grolsch are currently going for over £50! There do appear to be several online drink delivery companies that still have Grolsch in stock, but they are only delivering locally, so this can be a bit hit and miss.
What Beer is Similar to Grolsch?
If the main reason that you love Grolsch is the flip-top bottles (and there is no judgement from me if that is the reason) then you can’t go wrong with the German pilsner Flensburger. Not only is the bottle design similar (brown glass rather than green, but that’s a better idea anyway), but it is a pilsner which is the same as Grolsch.
If you are not fussed by the bottle design and just really enjoyed Grolsch, then you’d be best off drinking similar Dutch pilsners such as Amstel, Heineken, and Bavaria.
Alternatively, you can focus on German and Czech pilsners, which are generally agreed to be the best pilsners in the world. My favourite is Veltins which is a German pilsner. But Pilsner Urquell is fantastic, as is Staropramen, Kozel, Pravha, and Budvar. All of these are Czech pilsners.
To learn more about German beers, check out my article on the subject. I go through all of the main German breweries, and the types of beer that they sell. You’ll be able to scratch that Grolsch itch, and possibly find your new favourite pale lager.
About the Author Matt Smith
Matt Smith is the owner of Beer N Biceps. He has a degree in Sports Science, 10 years of experience working in the fitness industry, and has written for hundreds of fitness websites. He is a lover of good quality beer and believes that drinking in moderation can form part of a healthy lifestyle.
