Generally the final alcohol product has had any trace of the finings removed by the end of the process. However, the fact is that we as consumers do not have full knowledge of the complete ingredients list of alcoholic drinks, and that we as vegetarians or vegans must sacrifice all just because some are unsuitable for consumption.
It is easier to get your hands on beer that is either vegetarian or vegan, than it is to get guaranteed vegan or vegetarian wine. The reason for this is that it is more usual for lagers to be fined using chill-filtering, but not all are. Listed below is a selection of the more widely available drinks in Ireland which are approved by the UK Vegetarian Society - they are also reported to be suitable for vegan consumption. (For a full list, you can access the website using the following address www.vegsoc.org/info/vegbeers.htrnl or write to them at The UK Vegetarian Society, Parkdale, Dunham Rd., Altrincham, Cheshire, WAI4 4CG, England.)
Significantly, while there are also quite a number of vegetarian drinks listed under the bitters and low alcohol beers lists, no commonly known ciders or stouts are listed as vegetarian. A small number of vegetarian or vegan ciders do exist but these seem to be produced in small quantities, or the companies involved do not have the wide distribution systems which other larger companies have built up.
Soft drinks don't always escape either...
It is interesting to consider that while cloudiness in apple juice and cider drinks is considered off-putting by many, the cloudiness equivalent in orange or grapefruit juices is considered desirable and is something that we are willing to pay more money for as a luxury product. Unfortunately, various fining agents (as described above) are usually used in the preparation of apple drinks, and yet again, nothing of this is specified in ingredients lists because the finings are removed and so are officially not present in the final product.(published with permission in writing from:http://www.vegetarian.ie)
