Austin Peay State University sent hops to near space, now it’s in the Stratobeer at Strawberry Alley Ale Works
July 3, 2020
Clarksville, TN – On a sunny but chilly January afternoon, Austin Peay State University (APSU) physics students sent a high-altitude balloon 93,000 feet into the stratosphere.
The balloon carried an important student experiment, but the payload also included two special guests: two containers that contained Cascade hops.

Strawberry Alley Ale Works’ brew Stratobeer is made from hops Austin Peay State University launched into the near space. (APSU)
APSU Physics Students send high altitude balloon into stratosphere
October 27, 2012
Clarksville, TN – On a recent Tuesday afternoon, a farmer in rural Scottsville, KY, spotted a strange, shimmering object in one of his fields. He wasn’t quite sure what to make of it. It appeared to be nothing more than a Styrofoam beer cooler, wrapped in aluminum foil, with a parachute attached to it.
“What in the world is this?” he reportedly said. Another man with him said it looked like a weather balloon, so the farmer picked up the unusual box and took it back to his garage. The next morning, as he drove down a nearby highway, he happened upon a group of Austin Peay State University students wading through the weeds and tall grass along the side of the road.








