Strata Hops: Profile & Substitutions

Description

Strata is a premier aroma hop that has redefined the modern American flavor profile since its commercial debut in 2018. The journey began in 2009 at the Oregon State University experimental hop yard, where it was initially known by the code name X-331. Born from a partnership between Indie Hops Flavor Project and OSU, this variety is a standout descendant of the German Perle hop, created through open pollination and refined in the unique terroir of the Willamette Valley.

Strata was released only after seven years of rigorous testing and evaluation, including early trial runs with a select few breweries to ensure its performance in the kettle matched its vigor in the field. It is celebrated by brewers for its extraordinary disease resistance and "layering" effect—offering a sophisticated, multi-dimensional character that few other hops can achieve. It remains a high-performance cornerstone for anyone looking to push the boundaries of hop-forward intensity.

Substitution Tip

If you can't find Strata, the best alternatives are Citra®, Galaxy, Mosaic®, or Nelson Sauvin.

At A Glance

Profile Tropical Fruit, Citrus, Ripe Passionfruit, Dried Mango, Fresh-Squeezed Grapefruit, Dank, Herbal, Cannabis, Resinous, Pine, Sweet Melon, Strawberry
Purpose Dual: Aroma and Bitterness
Alpha Acid 11.0 - 13.0%
Substitutes Citra®, Galaxy, Mosaic®, Nelson Sauvin
Pairs with Citra® (to brighten the citrus), Mosaic® (to amplify berry notes), Nelson Sauvin (for a unique wine-like fruit depth)
Beer Styles Hazy India Pale Ale, West Coast India Pale Ale, Pale Ale, Session India Pale Ale, Hoppy Lager

General Information

Country United States
Alias X-331
Storage Stability
Very good

Brewing Chemistry (Acids & Oils)

Alpha Acid 11.0 - 13.0%
Beta Acid 5.0 - 6.0%
Cohumulone 21.0 - 26.0%
Total Oil 2.3 - 3.5 ml/100g
Myrcene 52.0 - 65.0%
Humulene 10.0 - 15.0%
Caryophyllene 5.0 - 12.5%
Farnesene < 1.0%
Linalool 0.8 - 1.1%
B-Pinene 0.7 - 0.8%
Geraniol 0.2 - 0.5%

Growth & Cultivation

Yield 2,200 – 2,500 lbs/acre
Maturity Early
Resistant Downy Mildew (high), Verticilium Wilt, Powdery Mildew (high)
Growth Rate Very vigorous
Cones Medium-sized, very dense, and heavily saturated with bright, sticky lupulin
Ease of Harvest Excellent; the bines are structurally sound and the cones are resilient to mechanical picking
Sex Female
Leaf Color Deep forest green
Side Arm Length 24" - 30"

Strata Aroma/Flavor Profile

Discovery Tags

Breeding/Supplier
Last Updated
  • 2026-03-28 07:57:03
Source(s)

Hops Catalog

Navigating This Profile
  • The Stats: Use the Purpose and Alpha % to understand the hop's bitterness and aromatic strength.
  • Discovery Tags: Scroll down to find clickable tags for Flavor, Origin, and Usage.
  • The Network: Click any tag (like #Citrus or #New Zealand) to instantly view every other hop in our catalog that shares that trait.
Discovery Tag Spotlight
  • #Stone-Fruit (Orchard Vibe)

    Saturday is for smooth sipping. From fuzzy peach to ripe apricot, these hops add a soft, rounded sweetness to the aroma of Pale Ales and Sours. Explore #Stone-Fruit Hops!
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Did you know?
  • Dwarf variety hops grow shorter in height than traditional varieties but, importantly, produce the same yield. This combination makes harvest easier.
Explanations
  • Storage: is based on the percentage of alpha acids remaining after 6 months at 20*F.
  • Oil composition percetages are based on the total percentage of oil in the hop. Example: 10 - 20% means that for the specific oil it is 10 - 20% of the overall oil make up.