Is Urban Tree Cider Gluten-Free? A Guide for Celiac and Sensitive Drinkers

December 28, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the official website and multiple product listings, Urban Tree Cider is naturally gluten-free. This makes it a popular and safe choice for those who need to avoid gluten for health reasons, including celiac disease or a gluten sensitivity.

Quick Summary

Urban Tree's hard ciders are naturally gluten-free, crafted from fermented apples, and made in a production facility designed to minimize cross-contamination risk. Many cider varieties are naturally gluten-free, but checking the brand's practices is essential for those with strict dietary restrictions.

Key Points

Confirmation of Gluten-Free Status: Urban Tree Cidery confirms that all of its products are naturally gluten-free, relying on fermented fruits rather than gluten-containing grains.
Natural Ingredients: The base for Urban Tree's hard ciders is fermented apple juice, and any additional ingredients like fruit or hops are also typically gluten-free.
Minimal Cross-Contamination Risk: Because Urban Tree operates as a cidery and not a brewery, the risk of cross-contamination with gluten from grains is inherently low in their production facility.
Celiac Safety Precautions: Highly sensitive individuals should opt for canned or bottled Urban Tree ciders to avoid potential cross-contamination from shared tap lines at restaurants or bars.
Variety of Options: The naturally gluten-free status applies to Urban Tree's full range of products, including their core offerings and seasonal flavored ciders.

Urban Tree Cider: The Gluten-Free Verdict

For individuals with celiac disease, gluten sensitivity, or those following a gluten-free lifestyle, finding a safe alcoholic beverage can be a challenge. While beer is typically off-limits, hard cider is often a reliable alternative. When it comes to a specific brand like Urban Tree Cider, the good news is straightforward: the company confirms that all its ciders are naturally gluten-free. Their process is centered on fermenting apples and other fruits, not gluten-containing grains.

What Makes Urban Tree Cider Naturally Gluten-Free?

The fundamental difference between cider and beer lies in their primary ingredients. Beer is brewed using malted barley or wheat, which contains gluten. Cider, however, is fermented from fruit juice—in Urban Tree's case, primarily apples.

The company's production process as a cidery is distinct from a brewery. According to an account from Urban Forage Winery & Cider House (which is a different company but offers insight into cidery practices), facilities that operate as wineries, not breweries, do not handle malt or grain, eliminating the source of gluten. This practice holds true for Urban Tree Cidery, which ferments apple juice to create its products. Ingredients are typically limited to apples, various fruit additions (like cherry or blueberry), and yeast, none of which contain gluten.

Cross-Contamination Concerns for Celiac Disease

While Urban Tree's ciders are naturally gluten-free by design, individuals with severe gluten allergies or celiac disease must also consider the risk of cross-contamination. This occurs when gluten-containing products are processed in the same facility, on shared equipment, or in close proximity to gluten-free products.

Urban Tree Cidery Facility: Urban Tree Cidery focuses on cider production. This reduces the risk compared to facilities that brew both beer and cider. However, it's always prudent to be aware. A listing on Find Me Gluten Free highlights that while the venue is largely gluten-free friendly, it is not a dedicated gluten-free facility. They may serve some bottled beer, but it is kept separate, which mitigates risk. For highly sensitive individuals, calling the establishment directly to confirm current practices is the safest approach.
Serving Practices: At restaurants or bars that serve both beer and cider on tap, there is a risk of cross-contamination from shared tap lines. For those with celiac disease, ordering a canned or bottled Urban Tree Cider is the most secure option.
Ingredient Additives: Some flavored ciders might contain additives. Urban Tree lists ingredients for some specialty ciders, such as their "Orange U an IPA?" which uses hops, orange peel, and coriander. While these additions are typically gluten-free, checking the ingredient list for specific product flavorings is always a good practice.

Comparing Urban Tree Cider to Beer and Other Gluten-Free Alternatives

To better understand why Urban Tree is a good choice, it's helpful to compare it to other popular beverages.


Feature	Urban Tree Cider	Standard Beer	Gluten-Free Beer	Wine & Spirits
Base Ingredient	Apples/Fruit	Malted Barley/Wheat	Rice, Sorghum, Millet	Grapes, Potatoes, Corn
Naturally GF	Yes	No	Yes (Explicitly Brewed)	Yes (Distilled)
Cross-Contamination	Minimal risk at cidery; possible in shared tap lines	High risk	Lower risk in dedicated facilities	Minimal risk with pure products
Flavor Profile	Crisp, fruity (dry to sweet)	Malty, hoppy, wide variety	Can mimic beer, but often different flavor	Diverse, depending on base and distillation
Availability	Good, especially in local market	Ubiquitous	Limited	Ubiquitous

A Deeper Look into Urban Tree's Offerings

Urban Tree Cidery offers a diverse selection of ciders, and their website and retailers confirm the gluten-free status of many products.

Wild On Cherry Cider: Listed as gluten-free.
Blueberry Apple Cider: Confirmed as gluten-free.
Harvest Apple: Made from fermented apples.
Specialty Ciders: Their product selection includes various fruit-infused and barrel-aged ciders. For example, their "Orange U an IPA?" contains orange peel, coriander, and hops, all non-gluten ingredients.

Conclusion: A Safe Bet for Gluten-Free Enjoyment

For those asking "Is Urban Tree Cider gluten-free?", the answer is a confident yes. The brand's commitment to fermenting fruits instead of grains positions their entire cider lineup as naturally gluten-free. For most individuals with gluten intolerance, this makes their products a worry-free choice. However, for those with severe celiac disease, it's always recommended to take extra precautions regarding cross-contamination risks, especially at venues with shared tap lines. By choosing a bottled product and, if in doubt, confirming the production environment, you can safely enjoy the wide variety of flavors Urban Tree Cidery has to offer.

Visit Urban Tree Cidery's website to explore their full selection and learn more about their products.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, traditional cider is naturally gluten-free as it is made from fermented apples or other fruits, not grains.

Urban Tree Cider is produced in a cidery, meaning it is made from fermented fruit juice, such as apples, without the use of wheat, barley, or other gluten-containing grains.

While the cider itself is gluten-free, there is a small risk of cross-contamination in shared facilities or from shared tap lines at a bar. Consumers can minimize this risk by choosing canned or bottled products.

No, despite its name, the 'Orange U an IPA?' cider is gluten-free. It is a cider infused with hops, orange peel, and coriander, not brewed with malted barley or wheat.

Yes, Urban Tree's range of ciders, including flavored and seasonal options, are all naturally gluten-free. However, it's always best practice to check specific product details if you have concerns.

While Urban Tree's products are labeled as naturally gluten-free on various retail sites and confirmed by company representatives, they may not always carry an official third-party certification label. Their inherent gluten-free nature is due to the ingredients and production process.

Yes, hard cider is a very safe and popular alternative to beer for people with celiac disease, provided it is produced in a way that avoids cross-contamination, which is the case for brands like Urban Tree Cider.