Does beer have live yeast?

By TheWholePortion
Page last updated: 20/07/2022 | Next review date: 20/07/2024
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In this brief guide, we will discuss the following question, “does beer have live yeast?”, what beer does contain yeast, which one does not, and other queries related to this topic.

Does beer have live yeast? 

Yes, beer has live yeast in it. Yeast is an important component in the brewing process. It helps in fermenting sugar from the grains into alcohol.

However, beer issued from craft breweries has more live yeast than commercial beer. Pasteurization and filtration process for commercial beer kill yeast. Furthermore, the yeast used for beer fermentation is called Saccharomyces pastorianus and it has two types, ale yeast, and lager yeast.

Each one of these yeast acts on the fermentation in a different way. The ale yeast ferments the liquid on the top whereas the lager yeast ferments the liquid on the bottom. Each one of these yeasts needs a special temperature to proliferate.

Moreover, the fermentation process takes time, it can take a few weeks to years depending on the type of the beer.

Is yeast in beer bad?

No, yeast in beer is not bad so its consumption is considered safe. In some cases, if the yeast is present in beer, it is beneficial for human health because it is considered a probiotic.

However, people suffering from yeast allergy or intolerance should avoid beer that contains live yeast, since it can lead to adverse effects such as gastrointestinal problems, diarrhea, bloating or skin irritation, swelling, and breathing difficulty. Furthermore, yeast can interfere with some medications like painkillers, diabetes medications, and antidepressants.

Its interaction with diabetes medications can lead to hypoglycemia or severe reduction in blood glucose that causes fatigue, and paleness, and in extreme cases, it can cause coma.

Moreover, people with specific health conditions like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis should avoid live yeast because it worsens their case. In addition, people who have low immunity due to organ transplants or chemotherapy, for example, should avoid such drinks.

Also, live yeast is a good source of B vitamins and some minerals, but this does not mean that it should be consumed regularly to get these nutrients.

What beers contain yeast?

All kinds of beer contain yeast since it is one of the major ingredients in the brewing process. However, the yeast content in each beer depends on the fermentation process. The beer that has the most yeast is the one fermented by the ale yeast. This yeast is top-fermenting and was used as an old method for fermentation and is functional at high temperatures.

Here are some examples of beer types with high yeast content:

  • Dubbel beers have a strong taste and color.
  • Tripel beers: their color is yellow or gold, and their taste is very aromatic and complex.
  • White beers: pale yellow color with foam.
  • Amber ale beer: has a caramel-like color.
  • Blonde ale beer: has a blonde color and it is very smooth.

Does any beer not have yeast?

Yes, lambic beer does not have yeast in it. It has a special fermentation technique that does not need yeast. The lambic beer is suitable for people suffering from yeast allergy, yeast intolerance, and gluten intolerance.

Lambic beer has a taste similar to wine, but it has a sour aftertaste. So, usually, it is mixed with some fruit syrups to make it more palatable and tasty.

 

Is there any method to completely remove yeast from beer? 


Yes, the filtration method can remove yeast from the beer. However, beer filtration should be done carefully because if not done in an appropriate way the beer will be damaged and ruined.

Are there probiotics in beer?

In most cases, beer does not have probiotics in it. However, some types such as Hoegaarden, and Westmalle Tripel contain probiotics. These beers are fermented many times, once during the brewing process and the second after bottling and packaging.

However, probiotics are beneficial for health, they help in reducing gastrointestinal discomfort, improve glucose tolerance, reduce inflammation, help in weight loss, and many other advantages. Moreover, probiotics are present in many fermented foods. So, if you want to increase your probiotics intake and improve your health consider consuming them.

Here is a list of food high in probiotics:

  • Yogurt
  • Kefir
  • Pickles
  • Kombucha
  • Tempeh
  • Kimchi
  • Sauerkraut
  • Miso

Other FAQs about Beer that you may be interested in.

What happens to beer when it freezes?

What happens when beer expires?

What causes a hard beer belly?

Conclusion

In this brief guide, we discussed the following question, “does beer have live yeast?”, what beer does contain yeast, which one does not, and other queries related to this topic.

References

https://learningtohomebrew.com/does-beer-still-have-live-yeast-commercial-craft-homebrew/#:~:text=While%20every%20beer%20ever%20made,and%20bottle%20 condition%20their%20 beers.

https://blacktailnyc.com/does-beer-have-yeast-in-it/#6

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