If you're any kind of pale ale drinker, you know Mosaic hops well. The hop darling of the last five years, it is widely used in Northeast style IPAs and fits in beautifully with the current trend of juicy, clean hop flavor.
Mosaic is the love child of Simcoe and Nugget, created by Select Botanicals of Yakima Valley in Washington. These hops came on the scene in 2012 and have steadily gained popularity. In fact, 2600 acres were dedicated to Mosaic in 2016 -- up 800 acres from the previous year.
You'll find Mosaic featured in plenty of single-hopped IPAs, but you'll also find it pairs well with other hops to create a more complex flavor.
On the nose, Mosaic brings tropical aromas with earthy richness. Flavors include mango, blueberry, stone fruit and earthy pine. But the surprising element is the dry finish with no sweetness.
Alpha acids weigh in at 10.5 to 14%, so expect a decent bit of bitterness from Mosaic.
Mosaic is a triple purpose hop -- it is great for bittering, aroma and flavor. It is a great choice for pale ales, IPAs and American wheat ales.
If you're craving a taste of Mosaic, try these brews:
Prairie Artisan Ales Funky Gold Mosaic
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