The yeasts are kept frozen under liquid nitrogen or freeze-dried in glass ampoules.
[2] NCYC were founded in 1948 when a group of British brewers, who later formed the Brewing Industry Research Foundation, decided to store their yeast cultures in a single, safe deposit to ensure their longevity.
[3][4] In 1981 NCYC evolved into a broader collection when it moved to Institute of Food Research.
In 2019, the collection moved to the new facility in Quadram Institute Biosciences in the Norwich Research Park where it is currently based.
[7] NCYC trades under QIB Extra Ltd,[8] a wholly owned commercial subsidiary of the Quadram Institute Bioscience, based at the Quadram Institute that specialises in bespoke research services for the food, health and allied industries.