Overview
- Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, only beers with reliable kosher certification may be served at OU-certified venues and functions.
- The policy was announced by the OU and joined by OK Kosher and Star-K, with additional local supervisions planning to adopt it.
- OU officials cited craft brewing trends, including flavorings, additives and shared equipment, as reasons for tighter standards.
- All craft beers must display a kosher symbol or an agency letter, while many national brands remain acceptable despite lacking a label symbol.
- The OU released a partial list of nearly 1,000 certified beers and urged caterers, proprietors and mashgichim to coordinate in advance for a smooth transition, in a letter signed by Rabbis Yermia Indich, Dov Schreier and Lenny Steinberg.