CARRINGTON, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Mike and Lindsay Ostlie are local hops growers located just south of Carrington. The couple has been some of the first hops growers in the state and soon, they’ll be able to offer the first sales of hops pellets from locally grown crop.

Ostlie’s Sunnyside Acres reports that many individuals have been awaiting the availability of their pelleted hops. In a recent blogpost, they explained that the pellet hops come from hops cones in a process after harvest.

“The cones need to be dried down before they are ready to process,” their blog states. “This requires pretty close monitoring as hops that are too wet or too dry will suffer in quality. We now have a hops moisture tester, and next year will be offering hops moisture testing services. Drying takes only a few days, and we use no heat to preserve the delicate oils in the hops.”

Once dried, the hops are moved straight to pelleting. The pellets can then be used for homebrewers.

“Whether from having more mature plants or from better handling and packaging on our part or both, I am very proud to see our quality levels are mostly on-par with the expected range for the given varieties,” the Ostlie’s report.

The Ostlie’s plan to take the pellets to the first ever Jamestown Pride of Dakota Harvest show.

Find more on their website at ostlieacres.com.