Sours are tough. They can be great and they can also be really terrible. Funk can be an extreme spectrum.
Half Hours on Earth is a small operation in Seaforth, Ontario, focusing on sours and farmhouse ales. With a focus like this, it might be expected that they produce a high quality product.
I am ashamed to admit that I first heard of the brewery while I was writing a recent opinion piece about online ordering and researching Ontario breweries.
In addition to having strong reviews about its online shop, Half Hours on Earth had rave reviews about its beers. I had to try them. I don’t regret it.
The online ordering process was clean and simple, much like the branding of the brewery, which I really like. I also liked that the brewery indicates how many of each respective beer are available.
My order arrived very quickly and was packaged very well. I only waited a few days from the time that I placed the order. I was most stunned to see printed on my cans that they were canned only 6 days prior to delivery!
Among other intriguing brews, I could not resist Lem, a “lemon meringue pie dry-hopped sour ale”. I have seen “pie” themed beers at breweries across Ontario. In fact, I reviewed another Lemon Meringue Pie beer earlier this year.
Lem is, in my opinion, not only one of the best ‘dessert’ themed sour beers that I have had, but one of the best sours, period.
It is very clear that the brewery did their homework and did not cut any corners on this. The lemondrop hops were selected for their distinct flavour profile, and the oats, graham cracker, vanilla, and lemon zest combined to recreate the inspirational pie in a remarkably drinkable 7.5% ABV sour ale.
The presence of lactose, which is quite popular among craft brewers right now, creates a smooth, velvety finish, making Lem feel like dessert in a glass. On top of this, the carbonation level is ideal. It is present, but subtle, really allowing the flavours to come through.
This sour is also sweet, and is balanced in nearly every imaginable aspect. It is lip-smacking and delightful, and will almost certainly leave you wanting more.
I am thrilled to have finally found this brewery. There is nothing more satisfying for a Craft Beer lover than to find a small batch brewery that clearly puts everything into their product. Half Hours on Earth is a prime example of this.
In case there was any doubt, this was almost certainly my first of many orders.
- ABV: 7.5%
- IBU: N/A
- Style: Dry-hopped sour
- Taste: Lemon meringue pie
- Rating: 4.8/5.0
- Untappd Reviews
As a continuing feature of my reviews, each review will be followed by a one to two-line review from my wife, Stephanie. As a non-beer drinker, her reviews will be from the perspective of a “layperson” beer drinker.
Stephanie’s review:
“Holy &!#*, buy more beer like this! I could crush this on a hot summer day! Of all the beers you’ve bought and had me try, this is the best one!”
Ryan Heighton
Latest posts by Ryan Heighton (see all)
- Review: Sparklepuff Triple IPA by Flying Monkeys Craft Brewery - February 11, 2019
- Review: All Brett Double Black IPA by 5 Paddles Brewing Company - January 4, 2019
- Review: So Long and Thanks for all the IBUs by Town Brewery x Muddy York Brewing Co. - December 7, 2018
There are no comments