The LCBO’s 2011 spring release includes a number of IPAs. Two of them are Southern Tier’s Gemini Imperial IPA and Tree Brewing Co.’s Hop Head Double IPA. I figured I’d take this chance to taste them side-by-side.
The Gemini pours a much brighter beer than the Hop Head: It has an amber colour to it that’s very clear. The Hop Head, by contrast, almost looks opaque: There’s more of a brown tinge to it and a lot less translucent.
There’s maybe slightly more lacing to the Hop Head. Gemini’s aroma is a lot sweeter than Hop Head’s - although they both have a dried fruit smell to them, and both have a hint of spice as well.
The sweetness is Gemini’s aroma carries into its taste. The caramel of the malts makes the hops taste candied. This really helps balance the beer in terms of flavour. There’s a bitter finish but it’s certainly not one of the driest beers I’ve had. At 9.1% abv, it’s not surprising you can get hints of alcohol in the flavour. But again, this is balanced from the spiciness coming from the yeast.
The Hop Head has an earthier taste than the Gemini and isn’t as sweet. There’s still malt there to support the hops but they’re not taking the lead. There’s more of a piney taste from the Hop Head. The Hop Head also has some alcohol flavour to it, although it’s a measly 8.3% abv (ha!) compared to the Gemini.
Something else of interest for the Gemini is that it’s not actually one beer. Gemini is a blend of two beers: Unearthly Imperial IPA and Hoppe Imperial Extra Pale Ale - an interesting tidbit I gained from reading the back of the bottle. “The more you know,” as Blossom would say on one of those NBC PSAs.
Both of these beers are satisfying. When it comes down to choosing one over the other, it’s going to be a matter of whether you feel like a sweeter, more balanced IPA, or an earthier, piney IPA. I can definitely see situations for both.
The Gemini pours a much brighter beer than the Hop Head: It has an amber colour to it that’s very clear. The Hop Head, by contrast, almost looks opaque: There’s more of a brown tinge to it and a lot less translucent.
There’s maybe slightly more lacing to the Hop Head. Gemini’s aroma is a lot sweeter than Hop Head’s - although they both have a dried fruit smell to them, and both have a hint of spice as well.
The sweetness is Gemini’s aroma carries into its taste. The caramel of the malts makes the hops taste candied. This really helps balance the beer in terms of flavour. There’s a bitter finish but it’s certainly not one of the driest beers I’ve had. At 9.1% abv, it’s not surprising you can get hints of alcohol in the flavour. But again, this is balanced from the spiciness coming from the yeast.
The Hop Head has an earthier taste than the Gemini and isn’t as sweet. There’s still malt there to support the hops but they’re not taking the lead. There’s more of a piney taste from the Hop Head. The Hop Head also has some alcohol flavour to it, although it’s a measly 8.3% abv (ha!) compared to the Gemini.
Something else of interest for the Gemini is that it’s not actually one beer. Gemini is a blend of two beers: Unearthly Imperial IPA and Hoppe Imperial Extra Pale Ale - an interesting tidbit I gained from reading the back of the bottle. “The more you know,” as Blossom would say on one of those NBC PSAs.
Both of these beers are satisfying. When it comes down to choosing one over the other, it’s going to be a matter of whether you feel like a sweeter, more balanced IPA, or an earthier, piney IPA. I can definitely see situations for both.
No comments:
Post a Comment