It is an object of the present invention to provide a bacterial strain belonging to Lactobacillus brevis subspecies brevis , which has more potent antiallergic activity than the known lactic acid bacteria strains and produces ³-aminobutyric acid (GABA). It is another object of the present invention to provide beverages and foods containing cells of the aforementioned bacterial strain belonging to Lactobacillus brevis subspecies brevis , as well as antiallergic agents containing them as an active ingredient. The present invention provides a bacterial strain belonging to Lactobacillus brevis subspecies brevis, which: is capable of growing in effervescent alcoholic beverages, produces ³-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and has antiallergic activity.
