Detection of indirect beer-spoilage organisms to monitor the microbiological situation in the cold wort area.
Pitching wort
A number of different bacteria that can be found in water, also develop in hopped wort. They are summarised under the term "wort bacteria" and largely belong to the Enterobacteriaceae family. Pseudomonas spp. are occasionally found in water treatment plants. Many microorganisms can only exist or multiply in a sufficiently oxygen-rich atmosphere, i.e. under aerobic conditions.
Preliminary microscopic analysis for aerobic wort bacteria and check for wort bacteria odour after prior aerobic incubation.
To determine whether the wort contains microorganisms capable of reproduction, incubate the wort sample for up to 7 days at 27 ± 2 °C and then analyse using dark-field microscopy.