Hello - I discovered this forum doing some google searches and wanted to chime in. I too get bad headaches from certain beers and other foods. These are not migraines but they last a couple days and it seems nothing can cure them. After much research I believe it to be the substance Carrageenan that is added to some beers as a clarifying agent. Some consider Carrageenan a form of MSG, they both are derived from seaweed. Carrageenan is Red Seaweed, and MSG was first derived from another seaweed called Kombu. I also have a sensitivity to MSG which gives me a similar headache although milder and shorter. Since alcoholic drinks do not need an ingredient label you can't be certain. They also put MSG in beer to enhance the flavor, so it could be that as well, or both. Carrageenan is not used in German beer which I have no problem with except for German Kolsch beer which ferments the yeast a different way and may produce free glutamic acid which simulates the effects of MSG. Carrageenan is also used in lab animals to create inflammation and grow tumors and cancer so that new anti-imflammatories and anti-cancer drugs can be tested (Nice!) It is also used as a De-icer for airplanes. They also use it as a thickener in some kinds of ice cream, almond milk, soy milk, cottage cheese, whipped cream, etc. They inject it in some packaged deli meats. Unfortunately in 2012 the USDA Organic Council voted by a one vote margin to allow Carrageenan to be used in foods that are certified Organic. It seems that only a small percentage of people develop these headaches from Carrageenan - none of my friends or family do.
