Microbial Contamination Testing for Professional Breweries
Protect your beer and your brand with accurate, professional brewery contamination testing.
At Brewing Science Institute (BSI), we offer comprehensive microbial analysis services designed specifically for commercial breweries. Our contamination testing detects unwanted yeast, bacteria, and wild microorganisms that can compromise flavor, shelf life, and product consistency.
Using advanced microbiological methods—including selective media plating, PCR, and microscopy—our lab can quickly identify and help you resolve contamination issues at any stage of the brewing process. Whether you’re troubleshooting off-flavors, looking to validate a sanitation protocol, or performing routine quality control, BSI provides fast, confidential, and reliable results.
Don’t let contamination derail your production. Partner with BSI to ensure microbial stability and maintain the integrity of every batch. Check out some of our contamination testing services offered:
Selective media beer spoiler screening – $45 per sample
Yeast, beer or swab samples are plated on selective LMDA media with cycloheximide to suppress brewer’s yeast. Colony identification with gram stain for beer spoilers. (Example: Lactobacillus, Pediococcus, Enterics, Acetic Acid Bacteria, Wild Yeast). Genetic PCR Testing can be added for an additional cost. Amount of sample needed for processing: 1ml-100ml (See contamination testing form).
- Complete screening for all genres of brewing bacteria
- Brewing bacteria identified to the genus level
- Aerobic/Anaerobic results interpreted and reported within 5 to 7 days
- Only ASBC approved methods used
PCR beer spoiler screening – $99 per sample per test
Rapid PCR genetic assay that is accurate, sensitive, and specific for the detection of the most Detrimental beer spoilers. This testing helps facilitate timely product release and proactive monitoring of in-process beer. PCR testing is best used as a tool to help compliment selective media testing. Tests available include:
- Brettanomyces/Dekkera
- S. cerevisiae var. diastaticus
- Lactobacillus/Pediococcus
- Hop-tolerant lactic acid bacteria (horA/horC)
- Megasphaera/Pectinatus
- Sensitivity of 1 cfu/ml
- PCR results are interpreted and reported within 1 to 2 days
