Lupulin Powder Love

“I want to make a lot more beers with Lupulin powder, or what some people refer to as ‘Cryo hops,’ ” says Cigar City Brewmaster Wayne Wambles. “The most recent studies discussed at the Craft Brewers Conference this year suggest that there’s a relationship between higher hops vegetation and shelf instability. Since it has such low levels of vegetative matter, if you’re now using Lupulin powder throughout all applications, together with CO2 extract, that alone will increase shelf stability. The aroma off Lupulin powder and the flavor and stability in the ones that we’ve made with straight Cryo hops have been exceptional.

“Certain things I find can’t be controlled, and I don’t know if it’s just because it’s just pure lupulin, but there are some kush-to-dank characteristics that seem to be mandatory when any lot is processed like this. That’s really the only downside to the entire situation that I’ve experienced firsthand because generally we don’t pick for those things. We typically select lots that don’t have that character in them—we’re just looking for really bright tropical character.

“It’s twice the cost of regular pellets, but the usage rate is 40 percent of pellet usage rate. So if you weigh the usage rate against the cost, it kind of works out. But if it’s better for shelf stability, I’m all for it. That 40 percent usage rate was suggested to us by YCH Hops, and it’s worked out pretty well so far.

“The only issue is trying to get it into solution on the dry-hop side. We have some ideas—we’ll probably modify some used mixing equipment to make that happen. But if you can get it in, it’s just exceptional.”