The Sound of Beer Flavor
What does great beer flavor sound like?
We took chemical data from beer fermented with a unique, insect-associated yeast—a yeast that can make unique sour flavors in beer—and worked with a sound artist to translate these data into music.
The Role of Yeast in Beer
Yeast are living, microscopic creatures responsible for fermenting grains and creating the alcohol in beer. But they are also responsible for making many of the flavors in beer. By some estimates, up to 50% of a beer’s flavor comes from yeast!
The Chemical Data of Flavor
Working with our industry partner, Lachancea LLC, we focused on the first 8 days of fermentation—starting the second the yeast cells are added to malted grains. The associated graph shows the fermentation data of how these unique Lachancea yeasts produce alcohol, glycerol, and tart acids to make a sour beer.
The Artist Who Translated the Data into Music
Sound artist Jude Casseday used these data and our accompanying flavor descriptions to create music, a process called “sonification.”
The Music: The Sound of Beer Flavor
Keep scrolling to read the audio description of what you are listening to.
The Audio Description
First, we hear the buzzing of bees, which eludes to the wasp and bumblebee origins of this unique Lachancea yeast. Then, the flavor notes resound the instant these yeast cells are added to the malted grains. Fermentation takes off. The Ph, alcohol, and glycerol shift rapidly in the first three days of the fermentation. You’ll hear the alcohol—the resonant bell (black data line)—rise as the yeast cells convert grain sugars into ethanol. At the same time, the pH—the woodwind (orange data line)—drops quickly, as this unique yeast species churns out tart lactic acid that increases the acidity of the beer (decreasing the pH). Layered into this is the softer voice of the glycerol. Glycerol has no flavor on its own, but it is a heart note in the beer. At just the right level, it improves mouthfeel. The glycerol—plucked string (blue data line)—increases steadily, but very slightly, alongside the alcohol. There is a settling in after the first three days and the flavor tones intertwine and resolve in a delicious souring which gives the beer its unique flavor and unique sound.
How can such “sonification” of data make beer science more accessible to broader audiences?
Such ‘multisensory teaching’ approaches—engaging visuals, touch, and hearing—provide an effective and inclusive way to educate diverse audiences, including those with learning disabilities and/or diverse learning needs.
Sources: Center for Student Achievement Solutions, and The International Dyslexia Association
Meet the Team Behind the Project
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The Microbe Institute
An organization dedicated to democratizing microbial discovery for a better tomorrow by co-creating, accelerating, and increasing the impact of microbial research, education, and art projects.
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Jude Casseday
A North Carolina-based sound artist (Dejacusse on Bandcamp).
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Lachancea LLC
A North Carolina-based brewing yeast company offering exclusive access to a unique portfolio of non-GMO, rapid-souring, and flavorful Lachancea yeasts to improve the future of fermentation.
Interested in Our Other Yeast Projects?
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Microbe Crayons
Crayon labels and associated coloring games reveal the natural rainbow of microbes and educate the public about how microbes improve our lives.
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Yeast Dress Fashion
This dress, created with our partners, Shenova Fashion and scientists at Mississippi State University, features scanning electron micrograph images of real, Saccharomyces yeast cells.
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Wild Yeast Citizen Science
Participate in a citizen science project to help us learn about the science of sourdough along with our partners at North Carolina State University.
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3D Printed Yeast Hats
Using fashion and models of 3D printed yeast cells, this project fosters science communication using whimsy and evidence-backed practices
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Microbes and Molecules Activity Book
This project (COMING SOON) is created by our fellow, artist and scientist Tracy Debenport, who is creating a microbe-based coloring and activity book for adults.
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Augmented Reality Art
Learn about our past art project with artist Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya, creating an augmented reality immersive art and science exhibit at the Cooper Union Gallery in New York City.
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Yeast Accessory Bags
One of our Fellows, Kristina Skillin, sewed accessory bags using fabric printed with scanning electron images of yeast cells, thanks to our partners at Mississippi State University.
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Education Website
This education website, “Interbiota,” was created by one of our High School Fellows, Sam Ruk, to help share the wonders of the microbes that help us, in a uniquely digestible way.
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Ale Yeast Cell Coloring Page
A coloring page featuring yeast cells by artist Joanne Arnold. Each of your skin cells is about 6 times larger than a single yeast cell. If a single yeast cell was scaled to the size of an adult, then a standard 12 oz beer can would be over 30 miles (49 km) tall!
