Friday 10 January 2014

Bugs in old beer

Not really news but I've noticed a microbiological analysis of old beer brought up from a shipwreck from the 1840s has been carried out. Four species of lactic acid bacteria have been cultured, and whilst no viable yeast cells were found they do say some of the cells resemble brewers' yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisae) and other Dekkera. For those not familiar with the latter it's the current technically correct name for Brettanomyces.  

The presence of these organisms is only as expected really but it's nice to see historical evidence.



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