Brettanomyces

Brettanomyces is a non-spore forming genus of yeast in the family Saccharomycetaceae, and is often colloquially referred to as "Brett". The genus name Dekkera is used interchangeably with Brettanomyces, as it describes the teleomorph or spore forming form of the yeast. The cellular morphology of the yeast can vary from ovoid to long "sausage" shaped cells. The yeast is acidogenic and when grown on glucose rich media produce large amounts of acetic acid. Brettanomyces is important to both the brewing and wine industries due to the sensory compounds it produces.

Additional recommended knowledge

Correct Test Weight Handling Guide: 12 Practical Tips

Guide to balance cleaning: 8 simple steps

Daily Visual Balance Check

Wine

When Brettanomyces grows in wine it produces several compounds that can alter the palate and bouquet. At low levels some winemakers agree that the presence of these compounds has a positive effect on wine, contributing to complexity, and giving an aged character to some young red wines. Many wines even rely on Brettanomyces to give their distinctive character such as in Chateau Musar. However when the levels of the sensory compounds greatly exceed the sensory threshold, their perception is almost always negative. The sensory threshold can differ between individuals, and so some find the compounds more unattractive than others.

As Brettanomyces can potentially spoil a wine it is generally seen as a wine spoilage yeast, and its presence in wine as a wine fault. The reality is that whilst these sensory compounds may be attractive at lower levels, from a winemaking perspective there is no guarantee that high levels will not be produced. Wines that have been contaminated with Brettanomyces taints are often referred to as "Bretty", "mousy", or as having "Brett character".

Sensory compounds

The compounds responsible contributing certain sensory characters to wine are;

• 4-Ethylphenol: Band-aids, barnyard, horse stable, antiseptic
• 4-ethylguaiacol: Bacon, spice, cloves, smoky
• isovaleric acid: Sweaty saddle, cheese, rancidity

These compounds can impart completely different sensory properties to a wine when they are present in different ratios. It has also been thought that Brettanomyces taint in wine is sometimes incorrectly identified as cork taint.[1]

Origins in the winery

Brettanomyces is typically isolated from barrel aged red wines, but has also been found in Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. In some cases the yeast has caused contamination in sparkling wines produced by the Méthode champenoise method when en tirage. It is thought Brettanomyces can be introduced to a winery by insect vectors such as Drosophila melanogaster, or by purchasing Brett contaminated wine barrels. The ability to metabolise the disaccharide cellobiose, along with the irregular surface of a barrel interior, provide ideal conditions for Brettanomyces growth. Once the yeast is in a winery it is hard to eradicate and is spread readily by unsanitised equipment.

Control measures

The growth of Brettanomyces is best controlled by the addition of sulfur dioxide to which the yeast is particularly sensitive. The addition of other sterilising compounds such as dimethyl dicarbonate often has a similar effect. Alternatively the wine can be bottled after sterile filtration, which physically removes the yeast. This option is less popular as it often strips out much of the flavour of a red wine, but may be more acceptable for a white. Wines that are vinified to low residual sugar levels, such as <1.0g/L, are also less likely to be spoilt as the main growth substrate has been limited. However growth has been reported at levels below this and it is assumed that the yeast can use other substrates.

Beer

In most beer styles, Brettanomyces is viewed as a contaminant and the characteristics it imparts are considered unwelcome "off-flavours". However, in some styles -- particularly certain traditional Belgian ales -- it is appreciated and encouraged. Lambic and gueuze owe their unique flavour profiles to Brettanomyces, and it is also found in Oud Bruin and Flanders red ale. Commercial examples of these styles include Liefmans Brown Ale, Rodenbach Grand Cru, and Duchesse de Bourgogne. The Orval Trappist monastery is unique in crafting the only Trappist beer with Brettanomyces charateristics. In Orval's case, the brewers add the yeast to the beer at bottling.

Several American craft breweries use Brettanomyces in their beers. This use began with a renewed interest in Belgian style ales and later formed new styles altogether (Brewers Association, 2007 Great American Beer Festival Style Guidelines, section 13a, 16). Some breweries use %100 Brettanomyces for the fermentation of some of their beers, and omit Saccharomyces from the recipe. It is common for American brewers that use Brettanomyces to also include lactic acid producing bacteria such as Lactobacillus, and Pediococcus in order to provide sourness to the beer. Examples of American breweries that use Brettanomyces in their beer include Russian River Brewing Co., Lost Abbey, New Belgium Brewing Co., and Allagash Brewery.

While most stouts achieve their sour tang through the use of acidulated malt, roasted barley, or -- in the case of "milk stouts -- lactose and incipient lactic acid, some use Brettanomyces for the same purpose. Prior to 1980s-era changes in its fermentation regimen, Guinness's Foreign Extra Stout is held to have been one such.

See also

• 4-ethylguaiacol
• 4-Ethylphenol
• Brettanomyces bruxellensis
• Lambic
• Wine fault

References

1. Fugelsang, K. C. (1997). Wine Microbiology. U.S.A.: Champman & Hall, 72-78. ISBN 0-412-06611-4.