Lactic acid bacteria have long been used in brewing to acidify mash or wort and in the production of traditional sour beer styles (Lambic, Gueuze) using spontaneous fermentation. This approach is time consuming (some sour beers are matured for three years to obtain the appropriate flavour), so many brewers choose a faster approach using mixed cultures (yeast and bacteria). In this study, the influence of the pitching sequence of bacteria and yeast on the fermentation process was evaluated (by rate of fermentation and acidification, attenuation degree and ethanol concentration). The trials were performed using three procedures: (i) the addition of bacteria followed by the yeast; (ii) the addition of the yeast followed by the bacteria and (iii) the simultaneous addition of yeast and bacteria. In each trial the following time intervals were applied: 24, 48 and 72 h. Weight loss of samples and drop in pH were measured daily, and ethanol content, real extract and lactic acid concentration measured at the end of the process. It was shown that the order of addition of yeast and bacteria determines the success of the lactic acid fermentation. The appropriate yield of lactic acid (ca. 6 g/L) and the drop in pH (<3.6) can be achieved by inoculating the bacteria prior to the inoculation of yeast. When yeast was pitched before the bacteria, the lactic acid content was ca. 2 g/L and pH was 3.9–4.2. © 2019 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling

The bioavailability of minerals, such as zinc and magnesium, has a significant impact on the fermentation process. These metal ions are known to influence the growth and metabolic activity of yeast, but there are few reports on their effects on lactic acid bacteria (LAB) metabolism during sour brewing. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of magnesium and zinc ions on the metabolism of Lactobacillus brevis WLP672 during the fermentation of brewers’ wort. We carried out lactic acid fermentations using wort with different mineral compositions: without supplementation; supplemented with magnesium at 60 mg/L and 120 mg/L; and supplemented with zinc at 0.4 mg/L and 2 mg/L. The concentration of organic acids, pH of the wort and carbohydrate use was determined during fermentation, while aroma compounds, real extract and ethanol were measured after the mixed fermentation. The addition of magnesium ions resulted in the pH of the fermenting wort decreasing more quickly, an increase in the level of L-lactic acid (after 48 h of fermentation) and increased concentrations of some volatile compounds. While zinc supplementation had a negative impact on the L. brevis strain, resulting in a decrease in the L-lactic acid content and a higher pH in the beer. We conclude that zinc supplementation is not recommended in sour beer production using L. brevis WLP672.

In recent years, demand for low-alcohol and alcohol-free beers has been rising. Of the many methods of producing such beers, many have expensive implementation requirements or drawbacks in terms of beer quality. The exploration of non-Saccharomyces yeast species presents a promising opportunity to overcome these challenges. These yeasts, with their diverse metabolic capabilities and unique flavor profiles, offer the potential to create innovative and flavorful low-alcohol beers. The study investigates the feasibility of using selected non-Saccharomyces yeasts for brewing low-alcohol beers, focusing on fermentation kinetics, physicochemical parameters, and the sensory attributes of the final product. The evaluated yeast species were Kluyveromyces lactis MG971263, Metschnikowia pulcherrima MG971247 and MG971250, Torulaspora delbrueckii MG971248, Wickerhamomyces anomalus MG971261, and W. onychis MG971246. Two strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae were used as a control. The results of the study show that selected non-Saccharomyces yeast species might be used to produce low-alcohol beers. The non-Saccharomyces yeast allowed the researchers to obtain beers with an alcohol content in the range of 0.5–1.05%, while the control beer brewed with US-05 had an alcohol content of 3.77%. Among the evaluated strains, the strains M. pulcherrima MG971250 and T. delbrueckii MG971248 were found to be rated better in a sensory evaluation than the brewed and low-alcohol strains of S. cerevisiae.

The study evaluated the suitability of various commercial yeasts for the production of low-alcohol beers. Four yeast strains were tested: Biodiva, FM56, LA01 and LONA, using US05 strain as a control. The fermentation process was monitored by measuring weight loss of samples. The beers were analysed for alcohol content, residual extract, colour, bitterness, turbidity, pH, metal ion content, and sensory characteristics. The fermentation efficiency of the FM56 and US05 strains was high, resulting in beers with a alcohol content of 3.77–3.83% by volume. In contrast, beers produced with other strains (Biodiva, LA01 and LONA) had a lower alcohol content ranging from 0.8 to 0.83% by volume. Physicochemical analysis revealed significant differences in attenuation, extract utilisation, and turbidity. Sensory evaluation indicated that each strain contributed a distinct flavour profile. The results of the study demonstrate the diverse capabilities of distinct yeast strains in the production of low-alcohol beers that exhibit desirable physicochemical and sensory characteristics.