October
24
/ 2019
Researchers have discovered a secret behind what makes Belgian beer so special – they include medieval super yeasts in their recipes! Steven Maere (VIB-UGent), has discovered that some of the most renowned classic Belgian beers, including Gueuze and Trappist ales, are fermented with a rare and unusual form of hybrid yeasts. These yeasts combine DNA of the traditional ale yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, with that of more stress-resistant feral yeasts such as Saccharomyces kudriavzevii. Mixed Origins "These yeasts are hybrids between two completely different species" says Dr. Jan Steensels (VIB -- KU Leuven Center for Microbiology), who coordinated the lab work of this study. "Think of lions and tigers making a super-baby." Such interspecific hybridizations are rare and seem to be
