[By Rabbi Yair Hoffman]

Last week, I wrote an article concerning certain beers called stout beers which may have an issue with milchig ingredients. The article, regretfully, contained a number of errors about specific beers. I would like to issue some clarifications and retractions.

I should have also pointed out that lactose is a kosher-sensitive ingredient and certainly requires hashgacha due to the spray-drying process. This was pointed out to me by Rabbi Akiva Niehaus, Rabbinical Coordinator at cRc-Kosher – Chicago Rabbinical Council.

The lists of possibly problematic beers was obtained from vegan sources, which it is now clear did not accurately reflect their status. Some of the beers that appeared on the list are produced under supervision, and thus would not be a problem. Many people in the industry have informed me that only milk stouts contain dairy ingredients but not regular stouts. A number of corrections are found at the end of the article.

In addition, I did neglect to mention that that there is a halachic debate as to the status of milk-derived lactose. Rav Elyashiv zt”l (See Kovetz Teshuvos #73) and Rav Moshe Feinstein zt”l are both widely quoted as holding that lactose is not considered Milchig. I regret not having quoted this position in my original article. Rav Yehudah Shershevsky, a Rabbi and chemist in Israel, is of the opinion that lactose is considered Milchig (See Glatt Nissan 5760 page 306) as are some Poskim in Eretz Yisroel.

Nonetheless, the Shaivet HaLevi (Vol. II #118) and the Tzitz Eliezer (Vol. 17 #76) also rule that they are not to be considered Milchig even though they do come from a milk product.

Rv Elyashiv provides two rationales for his statement that it is likely that it is not to be considered Milchig. #1 it undergoes a process rendering it inedible. #2 it is derived from whey which is halachically different from milk. He writes that although the Shach forbids consuming whey and meat together, it is likely that it is because of Maaris Ayin and not because it is considered truly Milchig.

Guiness and Murphy Beers, it seems, do not contain lactose according to Josh Bennett, the Commercial Development Manager for KF Kosher, which supervises the beer.

Coors beer, apparently, does not produce a dairy stout. According to Rabbi Seth Mandel, the RC of the OU for the Coors plant, there is no lactose in any of their plants. They do use lactic acid, which is very different, and they only use lactic acid with hashgocho that is certified pareve. Rabbi Mandel visits regularly in all their breweries, and knows this for a fact.

Brooklyn Brewery in Brooklyn, it seems, is not kosher. Brooklyn Brewery products made in Utica, New York , however, including the two types of stout are pareve with COR Detroit Hechsher. Rabbi Yoseph Krupnik of that organization can be reached at 248-890-1602.

A tremendous Yasher Koach to all those who pointed out my errors, and to those who work diligently to ensure that we are all eating kosher products out there. A freilechin Purim to all.

The author can be reached at [email protected].

ARTICLE PUBLISHED BY 5TJT