NEW DRINK IN TOWN!

Let's give a warm welcome to the first imported gluten-free beer to be sold in the Big Apple (at least as far as I can tell): Toleration, brewed by Nick Stafford's Hambleton Ales in North Yorkshire, England.

Made from sugars without malt, Toleration is a sweet and lightly carbonated brown beer. I actually hesitate to call it a beer because its taste is so unusual. So far the brew hasn't gone over very well at ratebeer and Beer Advocate, but that's no reason not to give it a try--especially if you're not married to conventional beer flavors. The brew reminds me of the old-style Ramapo Valley Honey Lager with its sweetness, but it's smoother. I welcome the variety!

Available in Hell's Kitchen at the Ninth Avenue Vintner's beer and cheese annex (671 Ninth Avenue between 46th and 47th Streets), Toleration is a little pricey at $10 (plus tax), but at least the bottle is somewhat oversized--1 pint .9 fl.oz.

And the Ninth Avenue Vintner's a nice little wine shop, too.





























Photos: David Marc Fischer