According to the invention, there is provided barley-derived beverages characterized by notably reduced levels of both dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and/or its precursor S-methyl-L-methionine (SMM), or lacking said compounds. In addition, the invention relates to methods for producing the above-mentioned beverages—and also to barley plants useful in the preparation of such beverages, as well as other plant products prepared from said plants. Utilization of the invention clears the way for making improved production procedures of beverages with improved taste profiles, and promises also for notable reductions in the thermal energy input for production of beer.