The present invention relates to a tryptophan transporter gene and to uses of the gene. The invention relates in particular to a brewer's yeast which can control the tryptophan assimilation ability, alcoholic beverages produced using such yeast, and a method of producing such alcoholic beverages. More specifically, the invention relates to a yeast which can control the tryptophan assimilation ability by controlling the level of expression of the TAT2 gene which codes for the tryptophan transporter Tat2p in brewer's yeast, particularly of the nonScTAT2 gene characteristic to beer yeast, and to a method of producing alcoholic beverages using such yeast.