You may have to think of more than that morning hangover before you pop off that beer cap or wine cork, especially if you prefer tofu to a beefsteak. Many brewing companies and wineries worldwide use animal products following fermentation in a process called “fining,” which is used to enhance the appearance of the alcohol in color and clarity.

The product used in the fining process can range from edible gelatins made from animal bones to an ingredient called isinglass that is made from the swim bladders of fish. How would you like some dried blood powder with your brew?

Vegans have to be more wary when it comes to ingredients like milk proteins and egg albumin. The real problem with this process is that most vegetarians and vegans are completely unaware that meeting some friends at a bar could result in a break with their animal free lifestyles.

Luckily, with the number of vegetarians and vegans on the rise, new resources are easily available. Websites like Barnivore and Frommars Vegan Wine Guide provide comprehensive lists of hundreds of vegan beers and wines that are sure to satisfy palettes ranging from the sophisticated wine connoisseur to the dive bar lover. The sites give the go ahead to drinks like Pabst Blue Ribbon, Blue Moon, and producers like Organic Wineworks in California. But frown upon popular spirits like Foster’s and Guinness.

However, these sites don’t offer a definite “yes” or “no” on all the drinks they list, especially because very few alcoholic beverages label themselves as “animal friendly”. The Bulmer’s Irish Cider is listed as “possibly vegan friendly”, while DB Breweries is on the list with a “they have no idea” label.

The best bet for vegans and vegetarians who are looking to enjoy their drinks sans an unwelcome animal surprise is to call the producers directly. In fact the lists of vegetarian and vegan friendly alcohol are mostly created by curious animal lovers who come together and share information they have gathered by doing serious research, but this information is often not easily found because of uncooperative brewers and scarce ingredient lists.

If you are still not convinced that none of your furry friends were harmed in the making, try brewing your own beer or wine in the comfort of your cruelty free casa. Protestzine offers recipes and links for concocting drinks to satisfy both taste and ethical needs. The key to concocting vegan brews seems to be the use of an entirely natural fermenting process. Protestzine’s author suggests using large oak barrels or cellulose tissue to filter homemade cider, and uses natural plant and fruit ingredients in the fermenting of beers and wines. Most animal conscious home brewers simply suggest letting the alcohol ferment for a longer period of time, about seven months, which will result in a natural fining process that clears your home brew without the use of animal derived products.

Regardless of whether you use websites and books to find suitable vegetarian liquor or create your own animal friendly brews, once you find them the recipes you can create are endless. Make some vegan beer and vegetable soup broth or blogger Vegan Sweetie’s olive and herb beer bread. Either way you will be able to enjoy yourself and know that you are staying animal free.