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I've always heard that the rule in the United States is that domestic non-microbrewery/craft unflavored beer needs no certification as kosher, as all such beers are kosher, but that any other beer (viz, foreign, microbrewery/craft, or flavored) needs certification. Apparently, that's almost correct: The Star-K's "Star-K Liquor List", March 2014 edition, reads in part:

Beer, UNFLAVORED: Acceptable WITHOUT Certification EXCLUDING when brewed in a craft, pub or home brewery that may bottle non-kosher flavored beers (Oyster, Bacon etc.) EXCLUDING English Milk Stouts

Beer, FLAVORED: Requires Certification

And yet I've recently been in the homes of two different religious families, who served two different brands of flavored beer (I forget which) without certification on the label. So I'm wondering whether they simply erred, or whether there's more to it:

  • Are there accepted authorities who dissent from the Star-K and maintain that flavored beer doesn't need certification (perhaps only for certain flavors or something)?
  • Are there brands of flavored beer known to be under certification without its being printed on the bottles?
  • Or is there perhaps some other justification?
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  • Related: http://judaism.stackexchange.com/q/4935 – Fred Jul 24 '14 at 07:06
  • Similar: http://judaism.stackexchange.com/q/44597 – msh210 Aug 19 '14 at 06:55
  • Interesting question. I was recently at an event in Denver that had about 10 Rabbanim having dinner. One of the hosts brought a sampler case of local flavored microbrewery beer, and as none of the Rabbanim objected, I assume that it was OK. I am in contact with one of them, so B"N, I'll pass this question on to him. – DanF Jun 16 '15 at 21:40
  • It's possible a hechsher was on the larger package and just not on each bottle – andrewmh20 Dec 16 '15 at 13:56
  • https://twitter.com/cholentface/status/867763613905412097 – MTL May 26 '17 at 04:24

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