Today in 2013, US Patent PP24125 P3 was issued, an invention of Eugene G. Probasco and Jason Perrault, assigned to the Hop Breeding Company, LLC., for their “Hop Plant Named ‘HBC 369.’” Here’s the Abstract:

A new hop plant named ‘HBC 369’ is disclosed. The cones of ‘HBC 369’ mature in mid September, and yield a crop of 1600 to 2000 pounds per acre. ‘HBC 369’ is used for its unique aromatic quality, resistance to powdery mildew, high alpha acid content and exceptional yield.

HBC 369 was recently given a name, and it’s probably one you’re familiar with: Mosaic. Mosaic, nee HBC 369, has quickly become a very popular hop variety. The Hop Breeding Company has more info about Mosaic at their website, and co-inventor Gene Probasco gave a presentation at an MBAA meeting in 2012. This how Yakima Chief describes it. “Mosaic™ Brand HBC 369 cv is a daughter of the YCR 14 cv hop variety and a Nugget derived male. It has high alpha acids and tropical, blueberry, tangerine, floral, and earthy aromas.” But alert readers might notice that Hop HBC 369 was patented before, on November 22, 2012. As far as I can tell, they look identical, but perhaps the newer one supersedes the older filing, perhaps correcting some information. But it certainly seems strange that it was patented twice, with the only mention of the duplication being one line in the newer application: “Also published as US20120297512.” But I’m still not sure why that would be the case.