Lat year my friend Ari and I made a bet on which team would win the AL East (I took my Red Sox while he is a Yankees fan). I won the bet, and the stakes were a 12 pack of beer of the winners choice. I was going to let him off easy until he started talking smack when the Red Sox got bounced from the playoffs quickly and the Yankees advanced. So I asked for 12 beers from Other Half. He realized what that would entail, and freaked out a little so we compromised on any 12 New York beers that aren’t sold in Boston. He was going to try and find a few Other Half beers to mix in, but his one source fell through. He made some good choices regardless, but I was disappointed that I didn’t get to try any beer from that elusive brewery. This year we didn’t make the same bet (too bad, I would have won again), but when we got together for our annual guys weekend Ari showed up with a handful of Other Half cans for me. I have enjoyed all of the beers I got to try, lots of big and bold New England style IPAs. One of the selections was Mosaic + Mandarina, a rotating DIPA brewed with Mosaic and Mandarina hops.
Other Half Mosaic Mandarina pours murky dark yellow with a massive white head. The nose is all hops, fruity and a little floral. The hops lead the flavor too, notes of peach, guava and tangerine but minimal bitterness, a quintessential New England style IPA. There is some mild malts for balance, hints of crackers and bread crust. Mosaic Mandarina is medium bodied and super easy to drink for a DIPA with 8.5% ABV. The finish is pretty clean with a little lingering hop flavor. This is a very nice DIPA, huge flavor and smooth. It is obvious why Other Half has developed such a strong reputation. Hoppy Boston score: 4.5/5.
Hoppy Boston 
