Continuous backslopping cycles result in genome evolution in Trappist beer yeasts

The genetic alterations associated with continuous backslopping have not yet been characterized. However, understanding how backslopping shapes yeast genomes and brewing performances would allow to tailor superior yeast strains and result in economic benefits for the brewers. We have investigated the evolution a Trappist yeasts used for more than one year of continuous backslopping in the brewery. Yeast populations and individual clones were sampled from the yeast slurries during the initial brew and after one year of continuous backslopping. Populations genomics analyses were performed with cutting-edge sequencing technologies, and all samples were phenotyped.