TGIF!

So it's Friday, and like most college students, my room mate and I are about to go to a friends house for a party. Now parties for my gluten-free room mate can be a disaster. Think about it, solo cups being flown around in a viscous game of flip-cup...beer sloshing out of kegs, cans, coolers, everywhere! Beer as we know it, is madefrom wheat and grain products. Yet with a little searching, we were able to find a brand of beer that caters to the 3.2 million of us who cannot or will not eat gluten products.

Redbridge is an award-winning beer that was developed for those who wanted a good tasting beer without the allergen. I think they have a very successful tagline: Beer Made With You in Mind: Alternative Recipe, Classic Taste.

Since then, I've learned to appreciate Redbridge over my usual beer drinks. It is light, has a summery taste, and is perfect with fall foods!

Since I have had a new interest with gluten-free foods, I have noticed that many people view the allergy a new "fad". Gluten diets are becoming more popular. CBS had an article entitled Gluten Free Eating: is the new "it" diet better for you? In it, the author describes how people are catching on to the gluten-free trend not because of allergy reasons but for other. The possibility of a Gluten-free fad can open many opportunities for companies to hone in on specific target markets that are essentially untouched (compared to other foods).

Companies are beginning to realize the power of the gluten-freedom eaters. I found a posting on AllBusiness.com selling a report to the gluten-free consumer. The blurb about the article spoke on how many businesses are turning to gluten-free advertising of their products. For instance, general mills purposely advertises their normally gluten-free cereal as "New! Gluten Free!". No change was made to the cereal, but the advertising took a different direction that presented itself new and innovative to consumers.

So even though Redbridge has carried one of the oldest names in the Gluten-free world, many other companies are jumping on the popular trend of eating Gluten-Free. I think it is very wise for supermarkets, restaurants, and catering services become aware of their small clientèle who demand gluten-free products.