Thoughts from the lab: Beneficial bacteria

In recent years, the phrase "beneficial bacteria" has become a staple in health products and wellness talks. But if we step back and see the bigger picture, it reveals a fascinating truth: labeling microbes as simply good or bad could be a touch of human egocentrism. It’s a bias rooted in the misconception that microbes are here solely for our benefit or detriment. 

Imagine for a moment—the activities of microorganisms are what allow not just humans, but all multicellular life, to thrive. They break down elements into simpler forms or build them into complex structures, making nutrients accessible and energy possible. Without these microscopic engineers, life as we know it would fall apart.

It is understandable considering how anthropocentric humans are—that throughout history, humans have believed that the conditions on Earth were created for them. Earth's history shows otherwise. For most of Earth's vast timeline, there was no oxygen in the atmosphere. The profound shift from this anaerobic world to one rich in oxygen was sparked by a tiny but mighty group: blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria. These microorganisms mastered photosynthesis, converting sunlight into energy and, in doing so, releasing oxygen as a byproduct, a substance that enables organisms to utilize energy efficiently. A true game-changer.

Thanks to  the cyanobacteria’s waste, Earth's atmosphere gradually transformed. Oxygen built up, paving the way for the rise of complex life forms. Yet, this dramatic shift was likely the cause of the first mass extinction on Earth and possibly the largest in Earth's history—wiping out much of the anaerobic life that thrived before.

We can thus thank these blue-green algae for our existence on Earth and we can also see this development as a warning not to excessively alter our atmosphere through gas emissions.

The more we learn about the biological diversity hidden from our view, the more we understand how little we know,  how complex and delicate these systems are and the clearer the importance of microorganisms for Earth's biosphere becomes. If humanity were to vanish, Earth’s biosphere might barely notice. Even if all multicellular life would vanish, life on Earth would  prevail. But if all microorganisms disappeared? That’s a different story—life on Earth might never recover. It’s worth noting that for billions of years, Earth flourished without multicellular complexity. Microorganisms have been the quiet foundation, the original architects of a living planet.

There was nothing inevitable about multicellular life to developing on Earth; the biosphere thrived for billions of years without it.

At Grugg og Makk Wild Ales, we harvest wild microbes from diverse environments, offering a glimpse into this diverse hidden world. Through the flavors of our beers.  Our goal is to inspire awareness and positivity for this vital part of our environment, encouraging respect and cautious approach towards these living systems that are not visible to the naked eye.