Zaopei; a mixture of fermented grains used for Chinese Baijiu production; is a complex ecosystem that hosts diverse microbial communities that play important role in cereal fermentation. In this study; Cellulose-degrading bacteria (CDB) in Zaopei samples used for Strong- and Light-flavor Baijiu production were incubated in enrichment medium with sodium salt of caboxymethyl cellulose (CMC-Na) as the sole source of carbon. We performed denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) to explore the diversity of cellulolytic communities and varied cultivation methods to determine cellulolytic potential. DGGE analysis showed no significant differences in bacterial species diversity between the original Zaopei samples and enrichment culture (p<0.05); but the community structure in the enrichment culture was significantly different than that found for the original Zaopei samples. Sequencing of the DGGE bands allowed the identification of 5 bacterial genera (Acinetobacter;Bacillus;Klebsiella;LactococcusandPaenibacillus) in the enrichment culture. To evaluate the cellulase activity of the CDB; the hydrolytic value of the colony on cellulose congo red agar media; carboxymethyl cellulase (CMCase) activity; and filter paper degradation ability were measured. Consequently; 3 isolates (Paenibacillussp.;Acinetobactersp. andGluconobactersp.) with high cellulose-degrading properties were obtained. The results also indicated that significant synergistic straw degradation could be achieved in a mixed culture system of the 3 isolates and the degradation rate of rice- and wheat- straw were 35.32% and 28.89%; respectively. The data presented in this study significantly increases the number of identified bacteria associated with cellulose degradation; and the biotechnological potential of these bacterial isolates should be explored in detail.