The objectives of this study were to isolate and characterize low temperature adaptation yeast and to obtain suitable yeasts strains for manufacturing Yakju. In this study, we isolated 482 wild yeasts from fermented foods. Out of these, 5 yeast strains were selected based on increased growth at low temperature (15℃) and high β-glucosidase activity. To screen the aromatic level of isolates, media containing cerulenin and 5,5,5-trifluor-DL-leucine (TFL) were used. Y297 strain demonstrated tolerance against TFL and produced more than 13% alcohol. Y297 strain was identified a Saccharomyces cerevisiae based on the 26S rDNA gene sequences. Maximum cell growth was observed after 19 hr and 38 hr of incubation at 25℃ and 15℃, respectively. The exponential phase was followed by a lengthy stationary phase, at 15℃, when the cells remained high viable. Y297 strain demonstrated tolerance against alcohol (10%), glucose (60%) and salt(NaCl, 8%). β-glucosidase and esterase activity in Y297 were higher than those of controls at 15℃. Overall, these results indicated that using wild yeast strain, isolated from fermented food, affects the chemical characteristics of the brewed Yakju.