For those of us with a gluten allergy who can't use beer or malt, what liquid would you suggest as a substitution?

With bacon and onion jam, I'd suggest a peppery, dry red wine...maybe zinfandel? In fact, I might try it that way myself!

As a celiac person, when a recipe calls for beer, I just use a gluten-free beer. They have quite a variety available these days, not just ales. I have had good luck finding gluten-free beer at the regular super market and Whole Foods.