In 2017, Yakima Chief Hops launched a line of innovative hop products known as Cryo Hops® using a cryogenic hop-processing technology that separates whole cones into two components—concentrated lupulin and bract. These concentrated lupulin pellets provide brewers with maximum aroma impact while reducing the negative effects often experienced with today’s high hopping rates.
We combined this novel process with our hop compound analysis technology to create Cryo Pop Original Blend. This is a Cryo Hops® pellet blend that is loaded with compounds that survive harsh brewing processes including heat, fermentation and CO2 scrubbing. By
maximizing concentrations of the most impactful and complementary hop compounds, we offer an incredibly powerful hop pellet that creates a true ‘pop’ of aromas in finished beers.
USING CRYO POP ORIGNAL BLEND IN THE BREWING PROCESS
Cryo Pop Original Blend is an ideal solution for a number of brewing applications. It can be utilized anywhere whole-leaf hops and hop pellets are traditionally applied. As a starting point for recipe formulation or modification, the estimated dosing rate of Cryo Pop Original Blend is 40-50% of a traditional T90 pellet addition.
SINGLE-HOP BEERS – Because Cryo Pop pellets have already been engineered with specific component ratios in mind, they can be used for 100% of the hop bill as an all-in-one solution for brewers desiring juicy peach, pineapple, grapefruit, and daiquiri-like aromas. They provide such powerful and dynamic aroma and flavor profiles that they can create a robust “single hop” beer with the use of one hop blend.
BLEND AMPLIFIER – Cryo Pop pellets can be used to amplify the character of other existing hop combinations. When used as a 20-40% portion of a hop bill, Cryo Pop pellets will elevate levels of geraniol, linalool, esters, and polyfunctional thiols, enhancing and elevating the characteristics of other hop varieties.
BIOTRANSFORMATION – Recent research suggests that high levels of monoterpene alcohols and polyfunctional thiols in a wort stream can create the conditions necessary for the yeast metabolism of hop-derived compounds, otherwise known as “biotransformation.” Cryo Pop pellets are a perfect choice for loading whirlpool and active fermentation dry hop additions with these components, thus creating a dynamic environment for yeast and hops to provide maximum aroma expression.
APPLICATION AND USAGE
KETTLE: Late additions only; early kettle additions should be avoided to prevent boiling out the intense aroma characteristics.
KNOCKOUT: Due to fine particle size, there is low risk of clogging heat exchangers.
WHIRLPOOL: Whirlpool additions are an excellent way to increase aroma and reduce trub load from large, late additions.
FERMENTER: Use in the fermenter is an excellent way to increase aroma while reducing trub loss. Cryo Pop pellets will settle out during normal conditioning and can be fined, filtered or centrifuged as normal.
AROMA PROFILE
Due to the complexities of biotransformation, the expected aroma profile of Cryo Pop Original Blend will vary depending on where in the brewing process it is used, providing brewers with a diverse array of options.
ACTIVE FERMENTATION – Peach, Pineapple, Strawberry, Guava, Mango, Orange
POST FERMENTATION – Peach, Grapefruit, Mango, Pineapple, Pine, Sweetgrass