Answer: Star-K: domestic unflavored beer does not. cRc: standard unflavored beer is acceptable, but it strongly recommends a reliable hechsher.
Reason: Flavored beers, milk stouts and beers from pubs, home breweries or Israel need certification.
Source:
- Star-K: its list of products that need no hechsher includes domestic, unflavored beer.
- cRc: all standard unflavored beers with no additives (domestic or imported, light or dark, even non-alcoholic) are acceptable without kosher certification, except beers from home and pub breweries, beers from Israel, milk stouts, beers with lactose and flavored beers. Because some breweries make non-kosher beer on the same equipment, “it is strongly recommended to only consume beer with a reliable hechsher.”
Related questions:
- Does beer have a bishul akum problem? No.
- Does whiskey need a hechsher? Generally no for bourbon and American whiskey (cRc), unless flavored or wine-cask aged..
References: Star-K, “Approved Without A Hechsher” list · cRc (askcrc.org), “Beer”
