A genus of bacteria that thrives on ethyl alcohol (ethanol, the alcohol in "hard" beverages), converting it first to acetaldehyde and then to acetic acid (vinegar). The vinegar fly (Drosophila melanogaster, also known as the vermillion-eyed or red-eyed fruit fly) is well known to carry acetobacter, but may also bear other bacteria detrimental to vinegar production. Proper production should rely on introduction of mother of vinegar culture to the alcoholic base.