Radeberger, a Germany-based brewer, has launched Pionier gluten-free beer, made from Kebari barley variety in the local supermarkets.

Developed by Australian scientists, Kebari has gluten content less than 5 parts per million (ppm), reports thedrinksbusiness.com

The World Health Organization has set a limit of 20ppm to be classified as gluten-free.

”The World Health Organization has set a limit of 20ppm to be classified as gluten-free.”

Australina scientists have used conventional plant breeding methods to produce Kebari barley grain, which has 10,000 times less hordeins than standard barley.

German brewing has been regulated by the 500-year-old Beer Purity Law, or Reinheitsgebot, which permits the use of only barley, water, yeast and hops in beer making.

Now, with the use of Kebari grain, Radeberger has been able to launch the first gluten-free beer in Germany, reported the website.

Currently, gluten-free beers do not contain barley and wheat, but different kinds of grains such as rice, millet, maize, or sorghum. However, under German law, beer has to include barley.

Gluten-free has been an expanding segment, with annual growth projected at 10% until 2020.