The present invention relates to the field of production of a beverage, especially cider, by fermentation of apple juice and/or pear juice. Specifically, the invention relates to a method of preparing a beverage with enhanced levels of desirable fermentation-derived flavor compounds comprising a step of fermentation of apple juice and/or pear juice with at least one Pichia kluyveri yeast strain, a beverage obtainable by the method and a cider comprising a high concentration of the flavor compound, hexyl acetate.