Anybody brew with Strata hops?

[Frankie Fresh]

I'm thinking about buying a pound or two of Strata pellets to brew a few IPAs with. I've heard very good things, but haven't tried brewing with them yet. I have a few quick questions for anybody who has used them:

What kind of flavors/aromas have you detected?
Would they work well as a SMaSH hop or better accompanying some other hops?
Better in a West Coast or New England?
Better as a bittering hop, late boil, or whirlpool/dry hop?

Thanks in advance!

 

[wepeeler]

I did an all Strata neipa. 15.5% AA. Additions at 15, 10, 5 and Whirlpool. First week in keg it was all pineapple juice, then as it "aged", which was only about 4 weeks, it got more earthy. I guess you could say dank too. FWIW, it was harsh, similar to Galaxy. I prefer Galaxy as a whirlpool or dry hop only hop. It tends to overpower everything in its path. Strata was a bit less harsh than Galaxy imo.

Just kegged a Citra/Mosaic/Strata neipa. 2:1:.25 ratio. Strata still shines through, but in a good way. Lends a more tropical note and flavor. I used Citra and Mosaic in the boil, WP and DH, but only used Strata in WP and DH. Will definitely use it again, but in small amounts and as a complimentary hop.

 

[yeastseeker]

I've brewed with Strata for a few years, they used to have a number designate for their name. I like them for NEIPA's. THey're complex, strawberry, vanilla sherbet, marijuana. They arent as tropical as galaxy, but I feel like they're every bit as noticeable and intense. I've made great hopppy beers with them. I wouldnt used them in other styles though, as they'd probably overpower everything else.

 

[couchsending]

Never had issues with it being harsh. Been using it for almost 4 years now since it was X331. Its awesome. It’s a top 5 American hop, prolly top 3. It’s as complex and potent as Mosaic. Slightly different tropical vibe with just a touch of dank that’s not overpowering.

That being said the 2lbs of Strata I’ve bought from YVH this year have been trash. Bought a pound in the fall and threw it away it smelled so bad. Thought I’d try again earlier this summer and it’s not quite as bad but it’s by far the worst Strata I’ve used. Unfortunately there aren’t many other suppliers. Farmhouse has some. There’s an eBay seller too. Farmhouse stuff was waaaaay better but also more expensive. eBay stuff falls in between.

 

[yeastseeker]

Never had issues with it being harsh. Been using it for almost 4 years now since it was X331. Its awesome. It’s a top 5 American hop, prolly top 3. It’s as complex and potent as Mosaic. Slightly different tropical vibe with just a touch of dank that’s not overpowering.

That being said the 2lbs of Strata I’ve bought from YVH this year have been trash. Bought a pound in the fall and threw it away it smelled so bad. Thought I’d try again earlier this summer and it’s not quite as bad but it’s by far the worst Strata I’ve used. Unfortunately there aren’t many other suppliers. Farmhouse has some. There’s an eBay seller too. Farmhouse stuff was waaaaay better but also more expensive. eBay stuff falls in between.

Is the Ebay seller Hop Heaven? If so, that's where I've always gotten mine and they are top notch. I believe the seller is a hop broker with ties to the folks that bred Strata, which is how he's been able to sell them for so long despite being a new and hard to find hop.

 

[yeastseeker]

I think Strata is on its way to having the entire harvest contracted out to breweries as its gaining more and more popularity and us homebrewers might be getting left in the dust.

 

[couchsending]

Is the Ebay seller Hop Heaven? If so, that's where I've always gotten mine and they are top notch. I believe the seller is a hop broker with ties to the folks that bred Strata, which is how he's been able to sell them for so long despite being a new and hard to find hop.

Yeah his stuff has been good. Farmhouse Strata has been the best but it’s also the most expensive.

I think even 2019 Harvest was only grown on 2 farms in OR. Demand for it is huge and availability is very small. I think I talked to someone who called Indie Hops and said contracts were more than two or three years out for any availability. I could be wrong though. Pretty sure 2020 was more acreage but still no where near enough.

 

[yeastseeker]

Yeah his stuff has been good. Farmhouse Strata has been the best but it’s also the most expensive.

I think even 2019 Harvest was only grown on 2 farms in OR. Demand for it is huge and availability is very small. I think I talked to someone who called Indie Hops and said contracts were more than two or three years out for any availability. I could be wrong though. Pretty sure 2020 was more acreage but still no where near enough.

Cellarmaking Brewing in California has really fallen in love with Strata and they make quite a bit of beer. I could see them using the entire stock if growers let them. I'm grateful Hop Heaven seems to have a solid line on them.

 

[Beer-lord]

I've used Strata 5 times over the last 2 years, playing with hop pairing. Most were late additions, whirlpool or dry hop only. I really enjoyed each beer they were in and all were different.
I simply guessed at what hops would pair well and both Denali and Idaho 7 were very good with Stata.

 

[wepeeler]

Never had issues with it being harsh. Been using it for almost 4 years now since it was X331. Its awesome. It’s a top 5 American hop, prolly top 3. It’s as complex and potent as Mosaic. Slightly different tropical vibe with just a touch of dank that’s not overpowering.

That being said the 2lbs of Strata I’ve bought from YVH this year have been trash. Bought a pound in the fall and threw it away it smelled so bad. Thought I’d try again earlier this summer and it’s not quite as bad but it’s by far the worst Strata I’ve used. Unfortunately there aren’t many other suppliers. Farmhouse has some. There’s an eBay seller too. Farmhouse stuff was waaaaay better but also more expensive. eBay stuff falls in between.

I got mine from YVH. Perhaps that's why it's harsh. Citra has been trash this year too, imo.

 

[couchsending]

As a homebrewer the best quality hops I’ve purchased are the Bell’s Select hops. These are hops from their hand selected lots. They have always been amazing. Think I’ve tried every variety. I am fortunate to occasionally receive a few pounds here and there from a brewery who hand selects in the Northwest and NZ every year and is very well known for their hoppy beer. The Bell’s Select have always been on par quality wise. They are more expensive but in my opinion they’re worth it.