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5 beer ingredients that are banned in the United States

Drinkers may see amburana wood in spirits, but they won’t often find it in beer

In 2020, Denver Beer Co. won a GABF medal for its Amburana Graham Cracker Porter. Beers aged on amburana wood are no longer eligible for the competition, however, because the wood contains coumarin. The FDA banned the use of coumarin in food in 1954. (Provided by Denver Beer Co.)
In 2020, Denver Beer Co. won a GABF medal for its Amburana Graham Cracker Porter. Beers aged on amburana wood are no longer eligible for the competition, however, because the wood contains coumarin. The FDA banned the use of coumarin in food in 1954. (Provided by Denver Beer Co.)
Staff portrait of Tiney Ricciardi on May 28, 2026, in Denver. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
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When River North Brewery founder Matt Hess first discovered amburana wood, he knew he wanted to use it in a beer recipe. The wood, which comes from trees native to South America, offers a distinct profile with notes of spicy cinnamon. Hess thought would aptly compliment one of the brewery’s signature high-ABV styles.
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