Can Pediococcus grow in beer with higher than 30 IBU?

Pediococcus is a genus of lactic acid bacteria commonly found in the brewing industry, especially in sour beers. An important characteristic of Pediococcus is its sensitivity to hops. Beer with high International Bitterness Units (IBU) typically has a significant hop concentration, which contains compounds that can inhibit the growth of many bacteria, including Pediococcus.

When a beer exhibits bitterness levels above 30 IBU, the anti-microbial properties of hops become more pronounced, creating an environment that is generally unfavorable for the development of Pediococcus. Although there are some extraordinary circumstances in brewing where bacteria might survive in higher hopped beers, under typical conditions, high IBU levels would largely prevent Pediococcus from thriving or fermenting.

Thus, the assertion that Pediococcus cannot grow in beer with higher than 30 IBU aligns with the understanding of the relationship between hop concentration and bacterial growth in brewing. This knowledge is crucial for brewers looking to control flavors and the overall microbial balance in their beer.