Updated 11/21/2025 with a new chart and cute graphics!

I love to check back in on this beer meme every so often because it changes every time! Now there’s two on the internet from Oregon BrewLab – which one resonates with you best?

microbes alignment

Brewing Microbes: Alignment Chart

As a fan and player Dungeons and Dragons, I got into a heated discussion one night to create this graphic. While drunkenly filling up post-it notes, a fellow beer- and table-top enthusiast egged me on regarding the placement of brewing microbes within an Alignment Chart. In D&D, an Alignment Chart is a nine-square grid that ranks characters by how tightly they follow rules and how benevolent (or mischievous!) they are. It turns personalities into a matrix, perfect for mapping brewing microbes with big attitudes.

If you are not familiar, take a moment to search for an Alignment Chart of your favorite TV series characters. That should give you a good primer on how these work.
“Lawful” means following rules
“Neutral” means rules can be bent
“Chaotic” means there are no rules
“Good,” “Neutral,” and “Evil” are self explanatory.

Now I am curious about some of the brewing bactoids that didn’t make the cut! Where would you place the following? leave a comment below!

  • Sacc. diastaticus – it’s wild, unpredictable, and typically not added on purpose, maybe “chaotic evil.”
  • Brett. trois – funky, fruity, and can lead to amazing flavors or foul aromas… giving trickster vibes.
  • Pediococcus – slow, stubborn, and ready to infect your brew, definitely evil.

Thirsty for more Bacteria and Microbe resources from Oregon BrewLab? Check out the Bacterial Identification Flow Chart! Or are you in the market for some Micro Testing? Oregon BrewLab can help you grow and identify Saccharomyces, Brett, Pedio, Lacto, and even Sacch. Diastaticus!

Originally Posted January 19, 2021

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