Halfway to Helles vs Astrosuds Lager

So, part of the logic around brewing Halfway to Helles Leichtbier in May had to do with my May "Seasonal" Helles in a Hand Bock-sket.

Last year, while drinking Hand Bock-sket, I made the comment:

#WillDrinkInJune. Great bready malt character. Loving this beer. I think the only improvement I can think of is making it lower ABV ... But it wouldn't be a Maibock then 😎

I believe this was shortly after drinking a beer at Green Mountain Brewing Company that really reminded me of  Hand Bock-sket, but was lower in ABV. It's name was "AstroSuds Lager".

While a 5A. German Leichtbier isn't really anything like a lower ABV Maibock, it is sort of similar in that they are both German lagers.

Before my latest camping trip, I saw cans of AstroSuds Lager in Green Mountain's beer cooler, and I decided to pick up a four pack.

Around that time, I poured the Halfway to Helles Leichtbier and AstroSuds to compare side-by-side.

 

Of course, I didn't really expect them to be similar, and this version of AstroSuds is actually the same ABV of Hand Bock-sket, and therefore much higher than Halfway to Helles.

But ... regardless ...

Visually, AstroSuds is a golden lager and quite a few shades darker than the pale Leichtbier that I brewed.

Both had beautiful light colored foam, but Halfway to Helles was a little more long-lasting and maybe a touch lighter in color.

Both were extremely clear. I think mine is even more clear now than it was back then.

AstroSuds  was slightly more carbonated with more body. It certainly had more dark bread Munich malt. Honestly very close to how I remember Helles in a Hand Bock-sket.

Halfway was crisper cleaner and more refreshing. It had a bit more floral hop character and more cracker / bread crust malt character than the "Munich" flavor.

I like both beers, but the Halfway to Helles Leichtbier makes a better summer sipper with the hot temperatures we've had here lately.

They are certainly not similar beers, but I like how mine stacks up to the inspiration.

I'll continue to enjoy drinking this beer until the keg kicks.

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