Head to Head: Weyerbacher Hops Infusion vs. Avery India Pale Ale

Welcome to another Head to Head challenge. Today we have two India Pale Ales from America. The first is from Pennsylvania and is the Weyerbacher Hops Infusion. The second is from Colorado and is the Avery IPA.

As usual the tasting was done blind and to style.

Appearance: Winner – Infusion

Infusion – This has a good amber color. The head is off white and on the small side. The head does not leave any lace and disappears quickly.

Avery – This beer is yellow in color but has a nice white head which leaves a pretty lace on the glass.

Aroma: Winner – Infusion

Infusion – The aroma of this one is really good. There is a definite hop presence in the perfume and resin aromas. There is also a slight sweetness bauried in there that adds a nice balance preventing this from being all hops.

Avery – The aroma of this beer is more subdued. There is some resin with an accompaniment of citrus and a slight floral touch at the end.

Taste: Winner – Infusion

Infusion –The beer starts out with a sweet caramel flavor. But in good IPA style it quickly gets taken over by the presence of a well balanced hop bitterness. .

Avery – This beer has a smooth refreshing flavor. There are hops in there but they stay subdued rather than assaulting the senses.

Body/Finish: Winner – Infusion

Infusion – as in all the other categories this beer has a well balanced medium-light body with a good long bitter finish.

Avery – Again the smooth nature of this beer comes through in the finish. It has a slightly lighter finish and less bitterness.

Overall: Winner – Infusion
I must say that it is refreshing to see a beer simply named for what it is. With all the funky names that exist just calling your beer India Pale Ale lets the beer speak for itself. Unfortunately I think the Avery is a bit to simple. It seems to lack the hoppy bitterness that an American IPA should have. While refreshing it is clearly beaten by the Hops Infusion. The Weyerbacher is well balanced refreshing and enjoyable as a good IPA should be. It never looses the hop roots of an IPA but stops short of being consumed by the quest for more bitterness. And it adds a dose of sweetness that creates a compelling IPA. It should do well in the coming Head to Heads.

~ by alelagerlambic on July 11, 2008.