ALL ALCOHOL ISN'T VEGAN?

How old were you , when you discovered this fact? Unfortunately for me but maybe fortunately for you , I discovered this 3 days prior to making this post .I automatically assumed that all alcoholic beverages are plant based and do you blame me? Knowing how wine is made : picking of fruits, stomping , ageing and the whole process of fermentation, I didn't think to question if wine and other alcoholic beverages are suitable for consumption by vegans.

AAHHH. But I forgot to tell you something. I'm not a big fan of alcohol either ! So maybe this too is justification for my general lack of interest . My body mostly rejects it and I have a very low tolerance for it ! Additionally, after embarking on my spiritual journey , I decided to cut wine , beers, spirits , what have you out of my diet for two years. I've been to event and parties just operating on this natural high for years ..just how I like it. I associate alcohol with low vibrational energies, too much that is.......getting drunk and acting out of character aren't necessarily fun. But I believe in balance and what's wrong with a little wine ever so often ? NOT ONE THING!

I still don't keep alcohol at home but in social settings I'll have a glass or two the most. I really love barefoot white Moscato and Pierre Marcel, both the red and white. And they're cheap too. Sis is trying to save some coins! So can you believe my disappointment when I found out that barefoot wines are non vegan? OH HONEY YOU'VE BEEN CONSUMING PORK!!!!!? I can see the stares of the "overly obsessed with labels" members of the vegan community. And I wished those stares were as sharp enough to cut me so that I could have put back the bottle of moscato as soon as I picked it up.

Oh well I'll survive. But I want you to avoid my mistakes , if it's a big deal for you.

But what makes alcohol non vegan ? Trust me I am still confused but here is why. Yes most alcoholic beverages are vegan. You can breathe. However, since most manufactures aren't required to list the ingredients of the labels of wine , beers and spirits , you wouldn't know what is plant based and what isn't. Animal products may be used during processing or as ingredients in the drink itself. Here are some non vegan ingredients commonly used :

• Egg white protein also known as albumin, is often used as a fining agent in wine.

• Gelatin is used as a fining agent in some alcoholic beverages. This product is derived from animal skin, bones and cartilage. Gelatin is used in gummy bears and jellos etc

• Cochineal and Carmine Carmine is a red dye made out of scaly insects called cochineal . And this is added to some wines for colour.

• Chitin is a fiber used as a fining agent and more often than not it is the by product of shellfish.

Then certain creams and milks are added to cocktails and different drinks , so make sure to ask the bartender questions before ordering !

Finally , I'll list some common VEGAN alcoholic beverages. It is important to note that this list is by no means exhaustive :

• Corona

• Heineken

• Budweiser and Budlight

• Bellissima Prosecco

• Cycles Gladiator

• Fat bastard wine

• Frey Vineyards

• Lumos Wines

• Red Truck Wines

• The Vegan Vine

Some NON VEGAN alcoholic beverages include :

• Apothic

• Barefoot Wine (OH NO! OH NO !)

• Black Box Wines

• Chateau Ste. Michelle

• Franzia Wines

• Sutter Homes

• Robert Mondavi

If you're still in doubt and you don't see your favourite brand on the list that I provided , you can visit www.barnivore.com for more information.