Mosaic® Hops: Profile & Substitutions

Description

Mosaic® is a revolutionary dual-purpose variety that fundamentally changed the landscape of modern craft beer upon its public release in 2012. Developed by the Hop Breeding Company, this complex hybrid is the daughter of the legendary Simcoe® and a Nugget-derived male. While some refer to it as "Citra® on steroids," Mosaic® offers a depth of character that stands entirely on its own. Its name is a tribute to the staggering complexity of its aromatic profile—a vast "mosaic" of sensory traits that shift and evolve depending on the brewing application. Cultivated in the Pacific Northwest, it combines high-alpha bittering potential with a peerless essential oil concentration, making it a foundational ingredient for the world’s most iconic IPAs.

The sensory profile of Mosaic® is a brilliant and kaleidoscopic arrangement of ripe tropical fruits, forest resins, and vibrant berries. It leads with a primary, "punchy" bouquet of blueberry, mango, and papaya, followed by a sophisticated secondary layer of grapefruit zest, rose petals, and a hint of earthy pine. As the profile develops, brewers often find a pleasant "dank" complexity and a subtle sweetness reminiscent of bubblegum or stone fruit that remains substantial on the palate. Thanks to its remarkably low cohumulone levels and specific terpene ratios, Mosaic® delivers a smooth, integrated bitterness and a saturated, fruit-forward finish—the definitive choice for a multi-dimensional, high-impact aromatic depth.

Substitution Tip

If you can't find Mosaic, the best alternatives are Citra®, Galaxy™, Nelson Sauvin™, or Simcoe®.

At A Glance

Profile Blueberry, Mango, Papaya, Grapefruit Zest, Rose Petals, Earthy Pine, Dank, Bubblegum, Stone Fruit
Purpose Dual: Aroma and Bittering
Alpha Acid 11.5 - 13.5%
Substitutes Citra®, Galaxy™, Nelson Sauvin™, Simcoe®
Pairs with Centennial (to add a classic floral-lemon lift), Citra® (to amplify the tropical "juice" character), Simcoe® (to reinforce the piney/resinous foundation)
Beer Styles Northeast India Pale Ale, West Coast India Pale Ale, Pale Ale, Stout, Hoppy Wheat, Saison

General Information

Country United States
Alias HBC 369
Storage Stability
Retains 75% alpha acid

Brewing Chemistry (Acids & Oils)

Alpha Acid 11.5 - 13.5%
Beta Acid 3.2 - 3.9%
Cohumulone 24.0 - 26.0%
Total Oil 1.0 - 1.5 mg/100g
Myrcene 47.0 - 53.0%
Humulene 13.0 - 15.0%
Caryophyllene 5.0 - 8.0%
Farnesene < 1.0%
Linalool 0.5 - 0.9%
B-Pinene 0.6 - 1.0%
Geraniol 0.2 - 0.5%
Selinene 1.5 - 2.5%

Growth & Cultivation

Yield 1,800 - 2,200 lbs/acre
Maturity Mid to Late Season
Resistant Powdery Mildew (excellent)
Growth Rate Very High / Vigorous
Cones Medium-sized, oval, and very dense. The cones are noted for their high lupulin saturation and an ove
Ease of Harvest Excellent; specifically selected for high-efficiency commercial production, the variety detaches cle
Sex Female
Leaf Color Medium to Dark Green
Side Arm Length 24" - 40" (medium to long)

Mosaic Aroma/Flavor Profile

Discovery Tags

Flavor/Aroma
Blueberry Bubblegum Dank Earth Grapefruit Zest Mango Papaya Pine Rose Stone Fruit
Variety Name
Centennial Citra Galaxy Nelson Sauvin Nugget Simcoe
Beer Style
Hoppy Wheat Northeast India Pale Ale Pale Ale Saison Stout West Coast India Pale Ale
Usage
Dual: Aroma And Bittering
Origin
United States
Breeding/Supplier
Hop Breeding Company
Last Updated
  • 2026-04-28 09:07:43
Source(s)

Hops Catalog

Navigating This Profile
  • The Stats: Use the Purpose and Alpha % to understand the hop's bitterness and aromatic strength.
  • Discovery Tags: Scroll down to find clickable tags for Flavor, Origin, and Usage.
  • The Network: Click any tag (like #Citrus or #New Zealand) to instantly view every other hop in our catalog that shares that trait.
Discovery Tag Spotlight

  • #Tropical-Fruit (Vacation in a Glass)

    Mid-week escape. Looking for massive notes of mango, pineapple, or passionfruit? These hops are the stars of hazy pales and juicy NEIPAs. Explore #Tropical-Fruit Hops!
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Did you know?
  • Dwarf variety hops grow shorter in height than traditional varieties but, importantly, produce the same yield. This combination makes harvest easier.
Explanations
  • Storage: is based on the percentage of alpha acids remaining after 6 months at 20*F.
  • Oil composition percetages are based on the total percentage of oil in the hop. Example: 10 - 20% means that for the specific oil it is 10 - 20% of the overall oil make up.