Metschnikowia reukaufii

Metschnikowia reukaufii is a nectar specialist that was isolated from flowers in the Berkeley Hills of California, collected on a bioprospecting hike with Tim Decker of AltBrau. Evolutionarily, these yeast evolved to produce a more odorous and attractive nectar for pollinators by enzymatically altering otherwise inodorous nectar compounds including glycosides.

 

While only attenuating to 20-25% in brewer’s wort and not utilizing maltose or maltose derivatives, in malt-based co-fermentations it has been shown to drop gravity and pH of the fermentation faster, accentuate and modulate the flavor and aroma profile and soften the perceived bitterness of the finished product.