Is Alcohol Vegan? A Guide to Vegan-Friendly Drinks

Vegans avoid meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, cheese, butter, honey, and any byproducts derived from animals or insects—including those used in food processing. But what about alcohol? Are wine, beer, liquor, and spirits vegan-friendly?

While many people assume all alcoholic beverages are vegan, that's not always the case. In this article, we’ll explore which types of alcohol are vegan and share recommendations for vegan-friendly drinks.

So… Is Alcohol Vegan?

Some alcoholic beverages are vegan, and some are not. There are two main reasons alcohol may not be vegan:

• Some drinks contain animal-based ingredients.
• Animal products are sometimes used during fermentation or clarification.

Common Non-Vegan Ingredients in Alcohol

Here are some animal-derived ingredients and fining agents often used in alcohol:

• Milk and cream
• Whey, casein, and lactose
• Honey
• Eggs (albumin)
• Isinglass (from fish bladders)
• Gelatin (from animal skin and bones)
• Cochineal or carmine (from insects)
• Chitin (from insects or shellfish)

Is Beer Vegan?

Most beer is vegan. Popular beers are typically made from water, grain, yeast, and hops—all vegan ingredients. Here are some vegan beer types:

• Vegan lagers: Budweiser, Coors, Corona, Heineken, Pabst Blue Ribbon, Guinness Draught, Yuengling
• Vegan pale ales: Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Bear Republic Racer 5, Lagunitas IPA
• Vegan stouts: Heavy Seas’ Peg Leg Imperial Stout, Anderson Valley Oatmeal Stout, Sierra Nevada Stout

Many craft beers, West Coast IPAs, and Belgian Abbey Ales are also vegan.

What Types of Beer Aren’t Vegan?

Some beers use non-vegan ingredients or fining agents, such as:

• Cask ales (often use isinglass)
• Honey beers
• Meads (made from honey)
• Milk stouts (often contain whey or lactose)

Can Vegans Drink Wine?

Not all wine is vegan. Many winemakers use animal-derived fining agents like isinglass, gelatin, albumin, or casein to clarify the wine. Wines from brands like Apothic, Barefoot, and Franzia are typically not vegan.

What Types of Wine Are Vegan?

Vegan wines use plant-based or mineral fining agents like bentonite clay. Popular vegan wines include:

• Cycles Gladiator
• Frey Vineyards
• Lumos Wines
• Red Truck Wines
• The Vegan Vine
• Charles Shaw (red wine only)
• Yellowtail (red wine only)

Bellissima Prosecco also offers a 100% organic, vegan prosecco.

What About Liquors and Spirits?

Most unflavored hard liquors—such as bourbon, whiskey, vodka, gin, tequila, and rum—are vegan. However, watch out for these non-vegan additions:

• Coffee cocktails (may contain milk or cream)
• Dessert cocktails (often include ice cream or gelatin)
• Honey-flavored spirits
• Some red liqueurs (may contain carmine)

How Can I Tell If Alcohol Is Vegan?

Since labeling isn’t always clear, try these tips:

• Look for vegan symbols or trademarks.
• Check for carmine or cochineal extract on labels.
• Contact the manufacturer directly.
• Use online resources like Barnivore, which lists the vegan status of over 47,000 drinks.

How to Approach Alcohol as a Vegan

Yes, vegans can drink alcohol! Many manufacturers now offer vegan-friendly options, and some skip filtration entirely. When ordering at a bar or restaurant:

• Ask if they have vegan drinks.
• Check cocktail ingredients—some may contain egg whites or dairy.
• Request substitutions, like aquafaba instead of egg whites.

The Bottom Line

While many alcoholic beverages are vegan, some contain animal products as ingredients or during processing. If you follow a strict vegan diet, look for vegan labels or verify with the manufacturer. The good news: more companies are creating vegan-friendly alcohol options.

If you're interested in cutting back on drinking or quitting alcohol, consider exploring Quitemate. It has helped many people build healthier relationships with alcohol and improve their well-being.