Clean Can Challenge™ 2022: PCR Contamination Testing

Will your beer pass the Clean Can Challenge?

It’s time to show your commitment to quality by putting your cans to the test!

For a limited time, we’ll run a full PCR review of your packaged product for a significantly discounted price of $64.95 (normally $94.99!).

PCR testing is especially important for high final gravity products like pastry stouts, seltzers or for cans and bottles produced in a facility that uses multiple yeast and/or bacteria cultures.

Here’s how it works:

• Place an order for the CCC through this page between May 2 and May 8. You can enter as many unique beers as you’d like tested (place one order per beer).
• Send us at least two (2) packaged beers/ciders/meads/sakes/kombuchas/wine per CCC test ordered. You have until June 6, 2022 for your sample to arrive at Bootleg Biology.
• Once all samples have been collected, Bootleg Biology will perform our full PCR review of all CCC products.
• Results will be emailed to all participating entrants in mid June.
• All products that test Negative (no PCR hits for contaminants) will receive a special Clean Can Challenge™ 2022 decal cling to show off in your brewery or taproom, an image file to display on your website or packaged product, a shout out on social media (with your permission) and the satisfaction that you are slaying the craft beverage game.
• Products that test Positive (PCR hit for contaminants) will receive a free 30 minute consultation on possible sources of contamination and steps to prevent issues with future batches, a one-time redo at the discounted price on another packaged product. All results are confidential.

Clean Can Challenge PCR testing detects contamination from:

• Saccharomyces var diastaticus
• Acetic Acid Bacteria (AAB)
• Brettanomyces
• Hop-Resistant Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) [Some LAB are not hop-resistant but can still contaminate low or 0 IBU beer/wort]
• Megasphaera
• Pectinatus

All positive PCR tests receive complimentary additional agar plating to enumerate level of contamination and confirm viability of contaminants.

What We Need

• Packaged Beer: At least two (2) cans or bottles per unique beer being tested.

Once your order has been placed, you will receive an email with instructions for sending in your sample(s).

Please order one test per unique beer sample.