Metropolitan Flywheel 6Pk Cans

Metropolitan Flywheel 6Pk Cans is a German-style Pilsner from Chicago’s Metropolitan Brewing, packaged as a six-pack of 12 oz cans at 5.5% ABV. With over 14,200 ratings on Untappd and a bolstered malt bill that distinguishes it from lighter pilsners, Flywheel has become one of the most recognized lagers in the Chicago craft beer scene.
Quick Facts: ABV: 5.5%  |  IBU: 40  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois  |  Style: German Pilsner  |  Brewery: Metropolitan Brewing
Production & Heritage
Metropolitan Brewing has built its reputation almost exclusively around German-style lagers — a rare specialization in the American craft beer landscape. Based in Chicago, the brewery focuses on traditional European brewing techniques and lager fermentation. Flywheel, formerly known as Flywheel Bright Lager before being rebranded as Flywheel Pilsner Bier, features an amped-up malt bill designed to deliver fuller body and balance against its firm hop bitterness, setting it apart from the thinner profiles of many mass-market pilsners.
Tasting Notes
Aroma: Spicy hop character leads with notes of fresh-cut grass and lemon zest, followed by earthy herbal tones. A biscuity malt sweetness sits underneath, grounding the brighter aromatics.
Taste: The entry is clean and malt-forward, with bread and biscuit flavors establishing a solid foundation. Mid-palate, earthy and bright hop bitterness builds steadily, balanced by that fuller malt backbone. At 40 IBUs, the bitterness is assertive for the style without becoming harsh.
Finish: Dry and crisp with lingering herbal hop notes. The finish is refreshingly clean, encouraging the next sip without any cloying sweetness.
How to Drink Flywheel
Flywheel is best served cold — between 38°F and 45°F — poured into a Pilsner glass or tall flute to showcase its clarity and maintain the hop aroma. A straight-from-the-can pour on a warm day works equally well. Its balanced bitterness and dry finish also make it a strong base in beer cocktails: try it in a Shandy with fresh lemonade for a lighter warm-weather drink, a Michelada where its crisp malt stands up to lime and hot sauce, or a Boilermaker alongside a clean American whiskey to complement the biscuit and grain notes.
Best For
Backyard cookouts and summer grilling sessions
Introducing craft-curious friends to German-style lagers
Pairing with ballpark-style food at home
Stocking a fridge for a low-key weekend gathering
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Flywheel taste like? Flywheel delivers firm biscuity malt flavors balanced by earthy, grassy hop bitterness, finishing dry and crisp. It drinks like a traditional German Pilsner with a slightly fuller body thanks to its bolstered malt bill.
How does Flywheel compare to Bitburger Premium Pils? Both are German Pilsner-style beers, but Flywheel leans into a heavier malt bill for more body, while Bitburger — brewed in Germany since 1817 — tends toward a leaner, more classically dry profile. Flywheel’s 40 IBUs also give it a slightly more assertive bitterness than many European imports in the style.
Is Flywheel good for craft beer beginners? Absolutely — its clean, balanced profile and familiar pilsner framework make it approachable, while the elevated malt character and hop complexity offer enough depth to keep experienced drinkers interested.
Where is Flywheel made? Flywheel is brewed by Metropolitan Brewing in Chicago, Illinois. The brewery specializes exclusively in German-style lagers, a focused approach that is uncommon among American craft breweries.
What foods pair well with Flywheel? Grilled bratwurst or sausages work naturally with the biscuity malt and herbal hops. A classic cheeseburger benefits from the beer’s dry, palate-cleansing finish. Soft pretzels with mustard echo the bread-like malt notes. Lighter fare like grilled chicken or fish tacos with citrus slaw complement Flywheel’s lemon zest aromatics. Sharp cheddar or Gruyère also pair well, as the bitterness cuts through the richness of the cheese.
What sizes does Flywheel come in? This product is sold as a six-pack of 12 oz cans, which is Metropolitan Brewing’s standard packaged format for Flywheel.
Is Flywheel worth the price? Flywheel sits in the craft pilsner value tier — priced in line with other quality craft lagers. For a brewery that dedicates its entire lineup to German-style lagers, the specialization and consistency justify the modest step up from mass-market pilsners.
Why Flywheel?
Metropolitan Brewing’s singular dedication to German-style lagers means Flywheel isn’t a side project — it’s a core expression from a brewery that has staked its identity on the style. The deliberately fuller malt bill gives it a presence that many American-brewed pilsners lack, while maintaining the dry, clean finish the style demands. With over 14,200 Untappd ratings reflecting broad and sustained consumer interest, Flywheel has proven itself as a reliable representation of the German Pilsner tradition brewed with Chicago character. For drinkers who want a pilsner that actually tastes like something without crossing into heavy territory, this is a go-to.