Strata Cryo Pellets Debut for Hazy, IPA and Craft Brewers

Yakima Chief Hops and Indie Hops announced the commercial availability of Strata Cryo Hops on January 14, bringing the Oregon State University bred Strata variety into a cryo pellet format beginning with the 2025 crop. The move puts one of the industry’s most sought-after aroma varieties into a lupulin-concentrated product designed to intensify passion-fruit, grapefruit, strawberry and cannabis-like notes while cutting back on vegetal matter.

Strata originated in Oregon State University’s Aroma Hop Breeding Program with Indie Hops as the commercial partner. Yakima Chief Hops’ Cryo process separates lupulin from cone bract to produce concentrated pellets that pack more aroma and flavor per gram than traditional leaf or standard pellets. For brewers chasing punchy tropical and citrus character in modern IPAs, New England style hazies and other hop-forward beers, Strata Cryo provides a denser, lower-vegetal option that changes the texture and aroma profile of dry-hop additions and late hop additions.

Practical implications are immediate. Cryo-style products typically alter hop utilization and dosing compared with whole-cone or conventional leaf and pellet hops. Expect different absorption in the wort and beer, and rework hop bills and rates for late kettle and dry-hop stages accordingly. Strata Cryo is positioned as a tool to sharpen the variety’s signature fruit-forward and resinous traits without bringing along the leafy bitterness or vegetal load that can mute delicate aromatics.

Supply and ordering moved into the spotlight with this release. Availability begins with crop 2025 and is being handled through Yakima Chief Hops and Indie Hops channels. For crop-specific availability, pricing and ordering, contact Yakima Chief Hops or Indie Hops representatives or use Yakima Chief Hops’ portal to check current inventory and lead times.

For brewers in the community this is both an ingredient development and a small process revolution. Recipe formulation, hop schedules and dry-hop strategies may need trimming or reinforcement to get the most from Strata Cryo’s concentrated lupulin. Trial bench batches, adjust dry-hop rates and document results to dial in utilization for your house style. Expect Strata Cryo to show up in taprooms and recipe sheets as a go-to option for dialing tropical-citrus aroma with fewer green notes, and monitor availability through YCH and Indie Hops as the 2025 crop rolls out.