Metropolitan Stromhaus 6Pk

Metropolitan Stromhaus 6Pk is a German-style helles lager brewed in Chicago by Metropolitan Brewing at 4.8% ABV, sold as a six-pack of 12 oz servings. Stromhaus distinguished itself as the flagship offering from the only craft brewery in Chicago dedicated exclusively to traditional German-style lagers, earning a solid 3.8 out of 5 on Untappd across more than 2,000 ratings.

Quick Facts: ABV: 4.8%  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois  |  Style: Munich Helles  |  Brewery: Metropolitan Brewing  |  IBU: 20  |  OG: 11.2  |  SRM: 3

Production & Heritage

Metropolitan Brewing opened in 2009 at 3057 N Rockwell Street in Chicago with a singular mission: brew only lagers in the traditional German style. In a city saturated with ales and IPAs, that was a bold commitment. Stromhaus, the brewery's flagship helles, was built on a foundation of Pilsner Malt and Noble Hops — specifically Hallertauer Mittelfrüh — yielding an exceptionally clean, malt-forward beer with restrained bitterness at just 20 IBUs and a pale straw color (SRM 3). Metropolitan Brewing permanently closed in December 2023, making any remaining Stromhaus stock among the last of its kind.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Light Pilsner Malt sweetness leads, followed by lemongrass and fresh wheat bread. Gently earthy and herbal Hallertauer Mittelfrüh hop aromas round out the nose without dominating.

Taste: The entry is soft and malt-forward, with mild bready and grainy character giving way to prominent, slightly sweet flavors of biscotti and shortbread at mid-palate. Lightly spicy, herbal hop notes provide measured balance without any aggressive bitterness.

Finish: Clean, crisp, and zippy — the hallmark of a well-executed helles. The malt sweetness fades quickly, leaving a dry, refreshing close that invites the next sip.

How to Drink Stromhaus

Stromhaus is best served cold — around 40–45°F — in a traditional Willi Becher glass or a clean pint glass to let the delicate malt aromatics open up. Its crisp, balanced profile also makes it a versatile ingredient in lighter beer cocktails. A Radler pairs Stromhaus with fresh lemon juice or lemonade for a refreshing warm-weather drink. A Shandy works similarly with ginger ale, where the biscuit malt adds depth the ginger can play against. A Michelada benefits from Stromhaus's clean finish, letting the lime, hot sauce, and Worcestershire flavors remain front and center without competing with heavy malt.

Best For

• Introducing craft beer drinkers to authentic German-style lagers
• Pairing with grilled sausages and summer cookouts
• Stocking a session beer for game days or long afternoons
• Collectors seeking a final taste of a closed Chicago craft brewery

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Stromhaus taste like? Stromhaus delivers a soft, bready malt character with flavors of biscotti and shortbread, balanced by subtle herbal hops and a clean, crisp finish. It is a restrained, malt-forward helles rather than a hop-driven beer.

How does Stromhaus compare to Spaten Premium Lager? Reviewers on BeerAdvocate have directly compared Stromhaus to the current imported version of Spaten Premium, noting similar malt-forward profiles and clean lager finishes. Both are faithful interpretations of the Munich helles style, though Stromhaus was brewed domestically in Chicago with a slightly lower IBU count.

Is Stromhaus good for beginners? Stromhaus is an excellent entry point into craft lagers thanks to its approachable 4.8% ABV, mild bitterness at 20 IBUs, and familiar bready malt sweetness. It bridges the gap between mainstream lagers and more assertive craft styles.

Where is Stromhaus made? Stromhaus was brewed at Metropolitan Brewing, located at 3057 N Rockwell Street in Chicago, Illinois. The brewery operated from 2009 until its permanent closure in December 2023.

What foods pair well with Stromhaus? Bratwurst and other grilled sausages complement its bready malt. Soft pretzels with mustard echo the biscuit-like sweetness. Mild cheeses such as Havarti or young Gouda match its gentle profile. Roasted chicken works well, as the beer's crispness cuts through the richness. Lighter salads with herb-based vinaigrettes mirror the herbal hop character.

What sizes does Stromhaus come in? Stromhaus was most commonly available in six-packs of 12 oz cans, the standard retail format from Metropolitan Brewing.

Is Stromhaus worth the price? Stromhaus positioned as a craft lager at an accessible, everyday price tier — competitive with other local craft six-packs. Its value lay in the single-minded dedication to German lager tradition, a rarity in Chicago's ale-dominated craft scene, and remaining stock now carries additional scarcity value following the brewery's closure.

Why Stromhaus?

Stromhaus represented something uncommon in American craft brewing: a brewery that refused to chase trends and instead committed entirely to German-style lagers. That discipline showed in the beer — a helles built on Pilsner Malt and Hallertauer Mittelfrüh hops that delivered biscotti sweetness and a spotless finish without gimmicks. With Metropolitan Brewing's closure in December 2023, Stromhaus has become a piece of Chicago beer history. Any remaining stock represents the final output of a brewery that quietly proved lager could be the most compelling style in a crowded craft market.