Metropolitan Flywheel 6Pk

Metropolitan Flywheel 6Pk is a German-style pilsner brewed in Chicago, Illinois, sold in a six-pack of 12 oz containers at 5.5% ABV. Scoring 86/100 on BeerAdvocate, Flywheel distinguishes itself with an amplified malt bill that delivers more body and balance than a traditional German pilsner while staying true to the style's dry, crisp character.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5.5%  |  IBU: 40–45  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois  |  Style: German-Style Pilsner  |  Brewery: Metropolitan Brewing

Production & Heritage

Metropolitan Brewing carved out a rare niche in Chicago's craft beer scene as the city's only brewery dedicated exclusively to traditional German-style lagers. Flywheel follows classic German lager brewing methods but takes a deliberate departure by amping up the malt bill — a move the brewery described as being "inspired by German styles, not bossed around by them." The result is a pilsner with noticeably more body and mouth-feel than strict-to-style interpretations, while the generous hopping rate of 40–45 IBUs keeps everything in firm balance. Following Metropolitan Brewing's closure in 2023, Short Fuse Brewing acquired the rights to produce Metropolitan's brands, continuing the legacy of these Chicago-born lagers.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with spicy, grassy hop character layered with lemon zest and earthy herbal notes. Underneath, a biscuity malt sweetness provides a sturdy foundation that recalls the nostalgic aroma of a classic ballpark lager.

Taste: On the palate, firm biscuit and bread-like malt flavors arrive first, establishing a fuller body than most pilsners in the category. Mid-palate, earthy and herbal hop bitterness pushes forward with grassy, lemon-zest brightness demanding equal attention alongside the malt. The interplay between the two stays taut and well-structured throughout.

Finish: Everything resolves into a dry, crisp close that cleans the palate completely. A lingering trace of herbal bitterness and toasted grain encourages another sip.

How to Drink Flywheel

Pour Flywheel into a pilsner glass or tall flute chilled to around 38–42°F to let the hop aromatics lift while keeping the lager refreshingly cold. Straight from the glass is the ideal serve — this is a beer built to showcase its malt-hop tension without interference. For a Radler, combine Flywheel with fresh lemonade for a low-ABV warm-weather drink where the herbal hop character plays well against citrus. In a Michelada, the biscuity malt and dry finish stand up to lime, hot sauce, and Worcestershire without getting lost. A Shandy using ginger ale amplifies the earthy, spicy notes already present in the beer.

Best For

• Introducing a hop-forward craft beer drinker to the depth of German-style lagers
• Backyard grilling sessions where a crisp, dry beer with real substance is needed
• Gifting to a Chicago beer enthusiast who values local brewing heritage
• Pairing with a multi-course meal where a versatile, food-friendly beer shines

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Flywheel taste like? Flywheel leads with biscuity, bread-like malt and balances it with earthy, grassy hop bitterness and touches of lemon zest. It finishes dry and crisp with more body than a typical pilsner.

How does Flywheel compare to Victory Prima Pils? Both are American-brewed German-style pilsners, but Flywheel leans heavier on its malt bill for a fuller body, while Prima Pils is generally regarded as more hop-forward and floral with a lighter frame. Flywheel's 40–45 IBU range is comparable, though the amplified malt gives it a distinctly different balance.

Is Flywheel good for craft beer beginners? Yes — its clean lager character and balanced bitterness make it highly approachable, while the fuller malt body gives new drinkers something more substantial than a macro pilsner without overwhelming hop intensity.

Where is Flywheel made? Flywheel was originally brewed by Metropolitan Brewing in Chicago, Illinois, a brewery devoted exclusively to German-style lagers. Following Metropolitan's closure in 2023, Short Fuse Brewing acquired the rights to continue producing the brand.

What foods pair well with Flywheel? Grilled bratwurst or sausages complement the biscuity malt and herbal bitterness naturally. Soft pretzels with mustard echo the bread-like grain character. Grilled chicken with a lemon-herb marinade mirrors the beer's citrus-zest notes. A sharp aged cheddar contrasts the dry finish nicely, and lighter seafood like pan-fried whitefish lets the hop spice come through without competing.

What sizes does Flywheel come in? Flywheel is available in a standard six-pack of 12 oz containers.

Is Flywheel worth the price? Flywheel positions as a craft pilsner at an accessible price tier, and its BeerAdvocate score of 86/100 across a broad base of reviews suggests strong quality for the category. The amplified malt bill and traditional lager brewing methods deliver more complexity than most similarly priced pilsners.

Why Flywheel?

Flywheel represents a specific philosophy: apply rigorous German lager technique but refuse to be limited by rigid stylistic boundaries. The decision to increase the malt bill beyond traditional pilsner proportions gives the beer a body and mouth-feel that most American-brewed pilsners lack, while the 40–45 IBU hop charge keeps it firmly in balance rather than tipping toward sweetness. Metropolitan Brewing's exclusive commitment to German-style lagers — unique among Chicago breweries — meant Flywheel was never a side project but a flagship expression of the brewery's core identity. That focus shows in the glass, delivering a pilsner with genuine depth that earned an 86/100 on BeerAdvocate and a loyal following well beyond Chicago.