The pntAB locus may provide for increased alcohol tolerance in a microorganism, through expression of one or both of the pntA and pntB genes. A microorganism may have increased alcohol tolerance due to a transformation of the microorganism or an ancestor of the microorganism utilizing one or both of the pntA and pntB genes. The microorganism may be, for example, of a bacterial or fungal species. According to some exemplary embodiments, the microorganism may be a lactic acid bacterium.