In a letter published to its food service proprietors and mashgichim, the Orthodox Union (herein referred to as OU) announced a new beer policy today that will go into effect at the beginning of 2026.
Beer Policy Change
As of the first of January, “all beer served in OU establishments or at certified functions or events will only be allowed with reliable kosher certification,” reads the letter, signed by Rabbi Yermia Indich, Rabbi Dov Schreier, and Rabbi Lenny Steinberg, rabbinic coordinators with OU Kosher – Food Services. The letter notes that a partial list of current kosher-certified breweries was attached, which is available here.
Cause of the Policy Change
The letter points to the cause of this policy change owing to “the rise of craft brewing and new production methods has led to a proliferation of flavored beers, diverse additives, and shared equipment that can compromise the Kosher status of even seemingly straightforward brews.” The authors of the letter say that, after both research, as well as “consultation with other leading Kashrus agencies including the Star-K and OK, it has been collectively determined that these developments necessitate a more stringent approach to ensure our strict Kosher standards will consistently be met.”
This collaborative consultation with other kosher supervisory agencies continues “with the OK and Star-K, along with a number of local supervisions that will be joining us in adopting this policy.”
Full Letter
The full letter reads in full as follows:
Dear OU Food Service Proprietors and Mashgichim,
We are writing to inform you about an upcoming policy change regarding acceptability of beer. Historically, unflavored beers were generally assumed to be Kosher due to their simple ingredients (water, hops, barley, yeast). However, the rise of craft brewing and new production methods has led to a proliferation of flavored beers, diverse additives, and shared equipment that can compromise the Kosher status of even seemingly straightforward brews. After much research as well as consultation with other leading Kashrus agencies including the Star-K and OK, it has been collectively determined that these developments necessitate a more stringent approach to ensure our strict Kosher standards will consistently be met.
As such, beginning January 1, 2026 all beer served in OU establishments or at certified functions or events will only be allowed with reliable kosher certification. We are attaching a partial list of current Kosher certified breweries, which contains almost 1000 beers that are already kosher certified. Note that many national brand beers already have kosher oversight and will therefore remain acceptable even without a symbol on the label. All craft brews would be required to have a kosher symbol or letter indicating Kashrus.
We would encourage and reinforce that you contact us in advance of any event being planned to review the beer (and all alcohol) selections to ensure they will be compliant with this updated policy. As this does reflect a significant change in policy, we are committed to working with you to ensure as smooth of a transition as possible. Please feel free to reach to myself or your Kashrus Administrator with any questions or concerns.
We are joined with the OK and Star-K, along with a number of local supervisions that will be joining us in adopting this policy.
Sincerely,
Rabbi Yermia Indich Rabbi Dov Schreier Rabbi Lenny Steinberg
Rabbinic Coordinators OU Kosher – Food Services
CC: Rabbi Moshe Elefant, Rabbi Dovid Jenkins
