The invention relates to a method for selecting a yeast strain having improved capability for fermenting a pentose, advantageously xylose, in the presence of organic acid, advantageously acetic acid, in non-dissociated form, in which at least one yeast strain that is capable of fermenting said pentose is consecutively cultured in the following two media: a first growth medium comprising said pentose as the only carbon source and said organic acid in non-dissociated form; a second growth medium comprising another carbon source as the only carbon source, advantageously glucose, free of said organic acid in non-dissociated form, the consecutive culture in at least said two growth media being repeated at least twice, in the presence of rising concentrations of organic acid in non-dissociated form.