Universal Beer Agar

Universal Beer Agar is used for the cultivation of bacteria and yeasts encountered in the brewing industry in a laboratory setting. Universal Beer Agar is not intended for use in the diagnosis of disease or other conditions in humans.

Universal Beer Agar was developed by Kozulis and Page and used as a basal medium supplemented with beer. The developers compared this formula with other media commonly used in breweries for detecting microbial contamination. The characteristics of Universal Beer Agar are closer to natural environmental conditions found in a typical brewery. Universal Beer Agar supports the growth of more lactic acid bacteria and yields larger colonies in a shorter time than traditional brewer’s media. Supplementing this medium with beer has produced a selective environment for organisms that are adapted to existent conditions in the brewery. The presence of hop constituents and alcohol inhibits growth of many airborne microorganisms not adapted to this environment.

Universal Beer Agar supports growth of Lactobacillus, Pediococcus, Acetobacter, and yeasts that are known beer contaminants. Universal Beer Agar is abbreviated as UBA.