Astra^™ Hops

Bred, cultivated, and selected at the Ellerslie Hop Estate in the fertile valleys of Victoria, Australia, Astra^™ made its official commercial debut to the brewing world in 2016. Famously referred to as "The Dame of Hops," this elegant modern Australian cultivar was developed to give craft brewers a highly adaptable, cool-climate alternative to the aggressively tropical varieties dominating the Southern Hemisphere market. Thriving in the unique regional terroir and clean soils of southeastern Australia, the plant exhibits excellent agronomic health, producing dense, oil-rich cones with remarkable field reliability. Astra^™ stands out as a brilliantly versatile brewhouse asset, engineered to function flawlessly as a dual-purpose workhorse across all phases of the brewing cycle—proving equally efficient whether utilized for a clean bittering charge early in the boil or as a delicate aromatic layer in the cellar.

The sensory signature of Astra^™ is a beautifully complex, highly sophisticated masterpiece that moves away from heavy New World dankness to deliver a clean, orchard-fresh fruit footprint. The aromatic bouquet opens instantly with an inviting, delicate top note of ripe green melon, juicy white peach, and soft, honeyed tones. This luscious fruit canopy effortlessly transitions into a vibrant, lively mid-palate accented by crisp white wine characteristics, bright grapefruit zest, and a subtle undertone of fresh summer grass. Backed by a highly polished, low-cohumulone oil chemistry, Astra provides an exceptionally smooth, integrated bitterness that rounds off sharp edges in the kettle. When pushed into late-kettle, whirlpool, or dry-hop additions, its volatile aromatics blossom into a bright, refreshing pop that lifts lighter malt bills with a pristine, mouthwatering snap.