def compare_evrs(evr_a, evr_b):
    """Compare two EVR tuples to determine which is newer

    This method compares the epoch, version, and release of the
    provided package strings, assuming that epoch is 0 if not provided.
    Comparison is performed on the epoch, then the version, and then
    the release. If at any point a non-equality is found, the result is
    returned without any remaining comparisons being performed (e.g. if
    the epochs of the packages differ, the versions are releases are
    not compared).

    :param tuple evr_a: an EVR tuple
    :param tuple evr_b: an EVR tuple
    """
    a_epoch, a_ver, a_rel = evr_a
    b_epoch, b_ver, b_rel = evr_b
    if a_epoch != b_epoch:
        return a_newer if a_epoch > b_epoch else b_newer
    ver_comp = compare_versions(a_ver, b_ver)
    if ver_comp != a_eq_b:
        return ver_comp
    rel_comp = compare_versions(a_rel, b_rel)
    return rel_comp