Complimenting Mosaic

[Owly055]

I've brewed a number of 100% Mosaic beers. I love the incredibly complex interplay of flavors. I've never gone for high IBUs, or brewed anything very dark of heavy with it, not wanting to bury it's unique "mosaic" of flavors.
I tasted a Mosaic based microbrew a friend brewed, with IBUs of 55, and some Simco added near the end of the brew, and found that he had utterly destroyed that delicate flavor profile. Nothing about the beer said Mosaic. The grain bill, and the addition of Simco completely buried it.
Mosaic makes a lovely Pilsner in the 5% and under range. I'm trying to decide what would pair with it and compliment rather than overwhelm it. I'm thinking a little Willamette to add a touch of spice, or maybe some Hallertau......Any thoughts what to use without burying the Mosaic? I lean more toward spice than anything else... Maybe Challenger as a small addition.

H.W.

 

[Iceman2197]

My local pub makes a pale ale that use mosaic and summit together and is one of there most popular beers. I really enjoy it.

 

[TheDPR]

Citra is often mentioned as a Mosaic compliment. I think that combo will simply enhance the fruity, citrusy flavors of the Mosaic (think Deschutes Fresh Squeezed if you've had it.

As far as spicy I'm not sure I have a great recommendation, although the Willamette is an intriguing idea.

 

[rupert130]

Saaz or Sterling for spice

 

[Owly055]

Thanks for the suggestions........ the real challenge is not to bury or overwhelm the Mosaic. The delicate interplay of fruit and floral is going to be buried under a significant addition of any hop with intense flavor character. The citrus family would need to be used with an extremely sparing hand lest the Mosaic become an "also ran" memory. Likewise the stone fruit and berry hops would simply accentuate some of the existing character. I'm thinking floral and spice used in proper proportions would compliment the flavors of Mosaic. Clearly the Simco just buried the complexity, leaving a non-descript beer.


H.W.

 

[GrogNerd]

"that's a lovely fruity, citrusy flavor you have there, Mosaic hops!"

have to agree with Citra for complEmenting Mosaic

also second Fresh Squeezed for an OUTSTANDING example. it does have Nugget in it for the bittering addition

 

[JONNYROTTEN]

Drinking the Fresh squeezed now,best beer Ive made to date

 

[funnelweb]

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/the-kernel-india-pale-ale-galaxy-mosaic/248256/

BR Folke

 

[slcalex]

Citra, mosaic, chinook is pretty epic. I also like Mosaic, Galaxy.