Microbial Analysis
Brew with confidence
Our microbiological testing services detect beer-spoilage organisms, helping you quickly identify contamination, troubleshoot fermentation issues, and protect the quality of every batch.
Explore our testing packages below
FAQ's
Lab services request form
Instructions:
1. Please complete form, email to labservices@mogwailabs.com.au
Title of email: Lab services request for 'BREWERY NAME'
2. Print form and ship along with samples to:
MOGWAI LABS
18/41-47 FIVE ISLANDS ROAD
PORT KEMBLA
NSW, 2505
DHARAWAL COUNTRY
qPCR tests
Molecular diagnostic tool: Is the DNA of a spoilage organism present?
MLAB-001:
DIASTATICUS & WILD YEAST
Method: qPCR
Rapid test (2-3 day turnaround).
Detection:
-
Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. diastaticus (STA1)
-
Brettanomyces spp.
This assay is ideally suited for:
-
Rapid testing
-
Screening routine samples
-
Testing beer before release
-
Monitoring yeast propagation/management
Required sample sizes:
-
Packaged beer: 2 x 375ml or similar (1 can)
-
Tank sample: 2 x 40ml
-
Yeast slurry: 2 x 40ml
* We can provide sterile sample tubes if required
MLAB-002:
DIASTATICUS & WILD YEAST
Method: Enriched qPCR
High sensitivity to detect low level spoilage organisms.
Detection:
-
Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. diastaticus (STA1)
-
Brettanomyces spp.
This assay is ideally suited for:
-
Brewery contamination investigations.
-
Confirming that detected organisms are viable.
-
Looking for very low level contamination.
-
Testing products expected to be sterile
Required sample sizes:
-
Packaged beer: 2 x 375ml or similar (1 can)
-
Tank sample: 2 x 40ml
-
Yeast slurry: 2 x 40ml
* We can provide sterile sample tubes if required
MLAB-013:
BACTERIA SPOILERS
Method: qPCR
Rapid test (2-3 day turnaround).
Detection:
-
Lactobacillus spp.
-
Pediococcus spp.
-
Hop tolerant bacteria (horA/horC)
-
Pectinatus & Megasphaera
This assay is ideally suited for:
-
Rapid testing
-
Screening routine samples
-
Testing beer before release
-
Monitoring yeast propagation/management
Required sample sizes:
-
Packaged beer: 2 x 375ml or similar (1 can)
-
Tank sample: 2 x 40ml
-
Yeast slurry: 2 x 40ml
* We can provide sterile sample tubes if required
MLAB-013:
BACTERIA SPOILERS
Method: Enriched qPCR
High sensitivity to detect low level spoilage organisms.
Detection:
-
Lactobacillus spp.
-
Pediococcus spp.
-
Hop tolerant bacteria (horA/horC)
-
Pectinatus & Megasphaera
This assay is ideally suited for:
-
Brewery contamination investigations.
-
Confirming that detected organisms are viable.
-
Looking for very low level contamination.
-
Testing products expected to be sterile
Required sample sizes (min. volume):
-
Packaged beer: 2 x 375ml or similar (1 can)
-
Tank sample: 2 x 40ml
-
Yeast slurry: 2 x 40ml
* We can provide sterile sample tubes if required
Culture-based plate tests
Can a viable spoilage organism grow?
MLAB-015:
BACTERIA SPOILERS
Method: Agar plate testing
7 day turnaround
The method relies on growing any viable contaminating bacteria on selective nutrient agar, allowing them to form visible colonies that can be counted and identified.
Plates:
-
MRS + Cycloheximide (A+/A-)
-
WLD (A+/A-)
-
WLN
Detection:
-
Viable aerobic bacteria
-
Viable anaerobic bacteria
-
Culture purity
This assay is ideally suited for:
-
Brewery contamination investigations.
-
Confirming that detected bacteria on PCR are viable.
-
Screening routine samples
Required sample sizes (min. volume):
-
Packaged beer: 2 x 375ml or similar (1 can)
-
Tank sample: 2 x 40ml
-
Yeast slurry: 2 x 40ml
* We can provide sterile sample tubes if required
MLAB-016:
DIASTATICUS & WILD YEAST
Method: Agar plate testing
7 day turnaround
The method relies on growing any viable contaminating wild yeast on selective nutrient agar, allowing them to form visible colonies that can be counted and identified.
Plates:
-
LCSM
-
WLD
-
WLN
Detection:
-
Wild yeast
-
Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. diastaticus (STA1)
-
Culture purity
This assay is ideally suited for:
-
Brewery contamination investigations.
-
Confirming that detected wild yeasts on PCR are viable.
-
Screening routine samples
Required sample sizes (min. volume):
-
Packaged beer: 2 x 375ml or similar (1 can)
-
Tank sample: 2 x 40ml
-
Yeast slurry: 2 x 40ml
* We can provide sterile sample tubes if required
MLAB-011:
BACTERIA + WILD YEAST
Method: Agar plate testing
7 day turnaround
The method relies on growing any viable contaminating bacteria on selective nutrient agar, allowing them to form visible colonies that can be counted and identified.
Plates:
-
MRS + Cycloheximide (A+/A-)
-
WLD (A+/A-)
-
WLN
-
LCSM
Detection:
-
Viable aerobic bacteria
-
Viable anaerobic bacteria
-
Wild yeast
-
Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. diastaticus (STA1)
-
Culture purity
This assay is ideally suited for:
-
Brewery contamination investigations.
-
Confirming that detected organisms on PCR are viable.
-
Screening routine samples
Required sample sizes (min. volume):
-
Packaged beer: 2 x 375ml or similar (1 can)
-
Tank sample: 2 x 40ml
-
Yeast slurry: 2 x 40ml
* We can provide sterile sample tubes if required
Microbial spoilage bundles: qPCR + plates
Using both PCR and plating provides a much more robust beer spoilage detection program than either method alone. They answer different questions and complement each other's strengths and weaknesses.
MLAB-017:
BACTERIA SCREEN
(MLAB-013 + MLAB-015)
Method: Agar plate testing + qPCR
-
7-10 day turnaround
This assay is ideally suited for:
-
Complete bacterial insights, all in one analysis.
-
This combination provides greater confidence in product release decisions and supports effective contamination investigations.
-
Confirming that detected bacteria on PCR are viable.
-
Screening routine samples.
Required sample sizes (min. volume):
-
Packaged beer: 2 x 375ml or similar (1 can)
-
Tank sample: 2 x 40ml
-
Yeast slurry: 2 x 40ml
* We can provide sterile sample tubes if required
Depending on the outcome of your initial testing, additional analyses may be recommended. If further testing is appropriate, our team will contact you to discuss the available options.
For example, bacterial colonies isolated on MRS agar can be identified to the species level using DNA sequencing.
MLAB-018:
WILD YEAST SCREEN
(MLAB-002 + MLAB-016)
Method: Agar plate testing + qPCR
-
7-10 days turnaround
This assay is ideally suited for:
-
Get a complete diastatic and wild yeast picture of your brewery samples.
-
Brewery contamination investigations.
-
Confirming that detected wild yeasts on PCR are viable.
-
Screening routine samples
Required sample sizes (min. volume):
-
Packaged beer: 2 x 375ml or similar (1 can)
-
Tank sample: 2 x 40ml
-
Yeast slurry: 2 x 40ml
* We can provide sterile sample tubes if required
Depending on the outcome of your initial testing, additional analyses may be recommended. If further testing is appropriate, our team will contact you to discuss the available options.
For example, wild yeast colonies isolated on LCSM agar can be screened directly for the STA1 gene using qPCR.
MLAB-019:
COMPLETE MICROBIAL SCREEN
(MLAB-011 + MLAB-015 + MLAB-016)
Method: Agar plate testing + qPCR
-
7-10 day turnaround
This assay is ideally suited for:
-
Comprehensive microbial profiling of samples.
-
Brewery contamination investigations.
-
Confirming that detected organisms on PCR are viable.
-
Screening routine samples.
Required sample sizes (min. volume):
-
Packaged beer: 2 x 375ml or similar (1 can)
-
Tank sample: 2 x 40ml
-
Yeast slurry: 2 x 40ml
* We can provide sterile sample tubes if required
Depending on the outcome of your initial testing, additional analyses may be recommended. If further testing is appropriate, our team will contact you to discuss the available options.
Other services
MLAB-020:
MICROBE IDENTIFICATION
Method: Genomic sequencing
-
Approx. 14 days
This assay is ideally suited for:
-
Species-level identification of unknown microbes (Yeast and Bacteria).
-
DNA barcode sequencing for accurate and reliable results (ITS/16S).
-
Supports contamination investigations and brewery quality assurance.
Required sample sizes (min. volume):
-
Microbe colonies from agar plates
-
We can work with you to isolate microbes from packaged, tank or slurry samples (additional costs).
* We can provide sterile sample tubes if required
Price is per individual colony.