Scientists using next-generation sequencing techniques were successful in tracing the origin of the yeast that was used to prepare lager in 15th century by Bavarians in Germany.

As per experts today several kinds of beer exists, including ales, lagers, pilsners, and ciders, to name the most popular few. The original and adaptable yeast known as Saccharomycescerevisiae was used to craft ales, wine, and even bread, said researchers.

The team stated that lager was discovered unintentionally when Bavarians for the first time found that the beer stored in caves during the winter months continued to ferment. They also found that the new iteration was far more delectable and less cumbersome than heavy ales.

This trend later evolved into a staple trend, commanding the 19th and 20th-century beer palates, most notably in America.

As of now, lagers control 94% of the global beer consumer base. Lager yeasts are currently made from a hybrid of two different strains of yeast i. e. S. cerevisiae and S. eubayanus.

Researchers from University of Wisconsin-Madison were able to clone a genome of S eubayanus employing the next-generation sequencing bio-technology.

Researchers for the study analyzed a recently described species of wild yeast from Patagonia. They compared S eubayanus with a domestic lager crossbreed which is presently used in lager-style beers; its findings provided scientists insight into the complete genetic profiles of both parental yeast pedigrees.

The data shows two independent evolution scales for S cerevisiae and Seubanyus. The results conclude that yeast evolution has branched off into different strains numerous times throughout history.

Co-author Chris Todd Hittinger of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, said, "Lager yeasts did not just originate once. This unlikely marriage between two species, genetically as different from one another as humans and birds, happened at least twice".