Mosaic
Mosaic is the complex, ever-shifting workhorse of modern hop-forward brewing. A daughter of Simcoe, it offers a famously broad and layered aroma — hence the name — and is, alongside Citra, one of the two hops most associated with the contemporary IPA.
#Variety Statistics
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Alpha acid | ~11–14% |
| Origin | USA (Yakima, Washington) |
| Year released | 2012 |
| Breeding | Hop Breeding Company; daughter of Simcoe (YCR 14) crossed with a Nugget-derived male |
| Key oils | Myrcene-dominant; high humulene; notable thiol precursors |
| Flavor descriptors | Blueberry, mango, tangerine, pine, dank, stone fruit, earthy |
| Typical styles | New England IPA, West Coast IPA, Double IPA, American IPA, Black IPA |
#Character
Mosaic's signature is its range. Depending on dosage, timing, and fermentation, it can read as bright blueberry and mango, or swing toward pine, dank resin, and earthy stone fruit. This chameleon quality makes it endlessly useful but slightly unpredictable — a hop that rewards experimentation.
The pairing of Citra and Mosaic is so dominant in New England IPA brewing that it has become a genre unto itself: Citra supplies clean citrus brightness, Mosaic adds depth, fruit complexity, and a touch of dank.
#Use in IPA
A dual-purpose hop, Mosaic can bitter but is treasured for late aroma. It is exceptionally responsive to Biotransformation, with its thiol precursors converting into intense fruit character during active fermentation. It is widely available as pellets and as Cryo.
#Continue Reading
- Citra — Mosaic's classic partner
- Simcoe — Mosaic's parent variety
- Hop Variety Index — Mosaic in context
- Biotransformation — unlocking Mosaic's fruit