Flywheel Bright Lager - Metropolitan Brewing

zrbeer1579

Illinois

4.11/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.25

Appearance: Transparent golden straw with a half finger white head. Lots of lacings.

Aroma: Grassy with some floral notes. A touch of spicy hops. Some grains.

Taste: A little doughy in the beginning but a quick transition to hops. Grassy with some herbal and floral. Light spiciness and some citrus. Bits of grain. A real nice biscuity malts.

Mouthfeel: Medium-light with medium carbonation. Feels almost crisp. A pleasant clean mild, lightly spicy bitterness in the finish. Just a touch dry as well.

Overall: I think this is a fantastic lager. Not only refreshing, but it has incredible drinkability. A good lager from a local brewery.

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2013 02:44:50 | More by zrbeer1579

tjsdomer2

Illinois

3.93/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Excellent white foam and superb lacing. Very bubbly. Murky golden, very unique for a pilsener. Top of the line look.

Smell: Mostly lemon with a hint of pine. Fairly subdued, but refreshing.

Taste/Mouthfeel: Excellent lemon crispness provides a good mouthfeel. Smooth finish. Flavors consist of a hint of lemon tartness initially and strong pine hops in the finish. The finish in particular sneaks up on you.

Overall Drinkabilty: A very pleasant surprise.

Serving type: bottle

10-12-2012 21:08:49 | More by tjsdomer2

kawilliams81

Illinois

4/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a 16 oz pilsner glass.

A- pours a light lemon color with a 2" thick white head. Blotches and trails of lacing remain on the glass.

S- light grains, bread, citrus

T- sweet light caramel malts, grapes, citrus. Slightest hint of pine at the finish.

M- medium body andcarbonation. Nice creamy feel.

O- didn't expect much from this beer, but really enjoyed it. Great beer as I sit outside in the sun.

Serving type: bottle

08-05-2012 21:23:01 | More by kawilliams81

marcobrau

Illinois

4.18/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 5

Pours a clear faint yellow with plenty of carbonation that forms a very delicate bright white head. Sticky bits of foam are left behind on the sides of the glass as the foam recedes. Sheets of lace form with bigger sips. Nice. Peppery, spicy hop nose. A bite of carbonation before a malty middle that is at first mellow, then becomes more cracker-like crisp before a spicy and moderately bitter finish. Decent mouthfeel; fairly soft. I'd like it a touch drier with a little more bracing bitterness, but it's still tasty lager. A super easy drinkin' pils, which could get expensive at $10 a six-pack.

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2012 03:44:25 | More by marcobrau

russpowell

Oklahoma

4.97/5  rDev +29.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Got this from Monsone, cheers Eric!

Pours an effervescent straw color with a thumb of pearl colored head. Great lacing & good head retention

S: Perfumy & grassy, floral with grainy bready scents

TL Follows the nose, light crackery notes with oh so subtle white grape up front, a touch lemony hop goodness as well. Herbal & grassy hops mix with bready notes as this warms, some dryness here as well. Finishes with lovely perfumy & floral hops, some lemon, crackery notes

MF: Medium bodied, crisp, soft carbonation, just a bit of grainyness, perfect balance

Classic German Pils drinkability, this is better than many tried in my three years living in Germany. Let me amend that, easily one of the best Pils I've had period!

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2012 05:04:15 | More by russpowell

OttoBomb

Illinois

4.47/5  rDev +16.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured from a 12 oz (355m l) bottle into a Sam Adam's Perfect Pint glass (January 26, 2012). The best before date of "MAY 3 2012" is printed on the bottom of the sixpack.

Eyes: Pours a clean, clean golden straw with a short lived white head.

Nose: Fresh grass, fresh grain.

Tongue: A significant hop statement, mild bittering, grain, soft biscuit malt, with a pleasant grassy finish.

Mouth: Light, crisp, and perfectly carbonated. High marks here.

Libation: This is a good pilsener, A fantastic fresh flavor profile, with good body that is extremely drinkable. One of the better examples of the style that I've had.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2012 09:01:35 | More by OttoBomb

KDawg

Illinois

3.73/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from bottle into a pilsner glass. Pours a clear straw color with a small head

nice and balanced aromas of grains, crackers, lemons and some straw aromas too.

lighter bodied with fresh flavors of grains, lemons and fresh picked citrus. Balanced but lacking a slight bit on the back and mid

A refreshing pilsner. A nice feel, but it's just slightly lacking a bit of depth that would make this great. Still a quality pilsner that is really enjoyable to drink

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2012 04:32:23 | More by KDawg

JohnnyChicago

Illinois

3.9/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a seidel mug.

A: Crisp, pale, golden-straw with a fluffy white head.

S: Cut hay, spicy noble hope, lemon rind and a hint of sulfer.

T: Mineral bitterness and very light malty sweetness. The hop flavour isn't as big I had hoped.

D: No doubt, this is a drinkable brew. I finished this in no time at all and I'm glad I had another. Mouthfeel is light and appropriate; balance is keen.

Overall: Its a pretty good pils, but not great. I would have liked more of a hop presence. Something in line with what you get in very fresh imported pils, but its a minor complaint. Good brew and no major flaws.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2012 22:24:47 | More by JohnnyChicago

TTAmod

Michigan

4.38/5  rDev +13.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12 oz. bottle with 10 Apr 2012 expiration date poured into pint.

A: Bright, vibrant, clear gold with a thick white head and loads of carbonation.

S: Fresh cut grass, light hops, and grains.

T: Fairly ample hop bitterness, grains, buttered biscuit, finished off by a hoppy/flowery/grassy bitter flavor.

M: Light, prickly...very nice.

O: Metro really nails these lagers extremely well. Pretty much spot on for the style in every aspect. What's great about these guys is that the beer ALWAYS tastes so fresh. With a very traditional pilsener, it's hard to find one fresh outside of Germany...but these guys nail the tradition German pilsener AND it tastes super-fresh.

This is really a flagship for the style, in my opinion, and it's done by an American brewer. Huge kudos to these guys. I love every one of their four beers.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2011 04:11:22 | More by TTAmod

neorunner

Virginia

3.95/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Blind Beer #6

Thanks to Kirk (Florida9) for sending me this in Round #5 of the Blind Beer BIF.

12 oz. bottle poured into a 4oz tasting glass while brewing. A nice clear golden color with minimal head. Initial aroma strikes me as a saison, lots of lemon and grassy notes. Taste is very much aligned with the aroma, lemon and herbally, but the yeast is lacking the brett dryness.

Gotta go with some form of lager, probably pilsner.

The reveal: Flywheel Bright Lager from Metropolitan Brewing. This place is starting to win me over. Two solid offerings so far!

Serving type: bottle

07-14-2011 01:40:38 | More by neorunner

tempest

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I'd been looking forward to trying this beer and it certainly was interesting (and tasty). I first noted a very cool earthy, mineral German undertone that only a few American brewers seem to be able to match.

Now it's not your standard German pils, or a hopped up US-take on the style. Instead there's that classic German background with softer, floral hops for a easy-to-drink lager that's unlike any other I've tried. Find this beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-11-2011 21:48:01 | More by tempest

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.58/5  rDev -7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Served in a Dogfish Head shaped pint glass.

Every time I see this beer on the shelf, I get reminded of how crappily my car runs. Oh well. Regardless, it pours a clear golden straw topped by a finger of white foam. The nose comprises grass, light lemon zest, and a touch of sweet flowers. The taste doesn't alter this formula much, though the lemon is a tad stronger (not all that much at all, mind you). The body is pretty light, with a light moderate carbonation and a crisp, clean finish. Overall, a solid pils, nothing outstanding, but eminently drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

06-06-2011 02:34:05 | More by TMoney2591

WoodBrew

Illinois

3.1/5  rDev -19.5%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Was at Ben Pao"s (Chicago) the other night, interviewing a candidate for a job. They had this beer available so I says...why not!!! Bonus points to the interviewee who tried it as well. This beer was cloudy golden with white head a decent lacing. not much on the nose. The taste was OK nothing great. I would not consider this a typical pilsner...not like a Becks or Urquel....something different. The mouth feel was ok. I could session this...but would prefer not too. Not sure I would order it again.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2011 00:50:55 | More by WoodBrew

steveh

Illinois

4.33/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Number 3 in my tour of the Metro beers, and the second lager. Labeled as a German Pils by BA, but the Metro label only says "a German-inspired beer."

A -- Clear, pale straw-gold color with a long-lasting, sudsy white head.

S -- Doughy, yeasty nose with the slightest of DMS. Mild spicy to lemony hops. Not at all overpowering in its citrus character, just refreshing. Mildest of crackery biscuit malt back.

T -- Spicy hops up front that blend into a clean, bready malt character then finishes with spicy bitter hops -- leaving a lingering bitterness with a touch of citrus and that bready malt in the aftertaste. After a second bottle the balance of the hops, just a little bigger than the crackery malts, really shines to style for a German Pils. Very nice.

M -- Mouthfeel is crisp to soft with a light body and finishes clean and dry.

O -- I agree with the German Pils assessment, and a very fresh example. Though the malt character could be a bit stronger, this is a fine representation of the style -- and did I mention fresh? Metro's biggest strength is that they are serving us some great to-style beers the way they should be enjoyed -- a glassful begs for another.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2011 21:30:37 | More by steveh

DovaliHops

California

3.9/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a hazy, bright, golden color with a medium, white head that disappears quickly. Scent is a bit grassy with some nice, suble hoppiness. Hints of citrus as well. Taste is very nice and refreshing! Subtle hoppiness with hints of spiciness and grass. Nice German malt flavors and a bit of citrus. Mouthfeel is crisp and well-balanced. Drinkability is very high. Overall, this is a fantastic example of this style. Not my favorite style, but an awesome beer with tremendous drinkability.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2011 08:08:56 | More by DovaliHops

BeerAdvocate

Massachusetts

4.2/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Review from BeerAdvocate Magazine Issue #48 (Jan 2011):

Clear golden and bubbly, thin but sticky lace from a moderate-sized head. Grassy, doughy malt nose, fresh with an herbal and berry hop edge. Clean and crisp with a well-toned, moderate-sized body. Graininess comes in strong but clean, with a light biscuity character. Hop bitterness is aggressive but not boisterous; a bit of oily resin and a lot of fresh herbal flavors. Clean palate throughout. Pleasing dry finish that begs for the next sip. Spot-on for style and extremely drinkable, this is a Pilsner to seek out for sure.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2011 14:39:05 | More by BeerAdvocate

Onenote81

North Carolina

4.05/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to readbaron for this tasty bottle!

12oz bottle poured into a pint glass. Pours a slightly hazy deep gold. There's a bit of white foam on top, but not much. What little ring there is leaves lots of sticky lace though. The nose is really dry with notes of husk, grain, lemon zest, and grass. There's an odd veggie scent in there as well.

The mouth is crisp and clean. Very refreshing. Good amount of carbonation. The flavor is really clean as well. Good crisp hops that are light in bitterness, but full in flavor. A lemon sweetness comes through and finishes dry and earthy. Good refreshing pilsner here. I'd reach for this most any day.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2011 19:38:46 | More by Onenote81

JohnQVegas

Tennessee

4.2/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle into shaker pint, with a big thanks to Jeff (Alewatcher) for his endless supply of tasty beer!

Pours golden, bit of chill haze, with a thin fluffy white head on top.

Nose is grainy, bit on the sweet side, with mild floral quality. Big and surprisingly bold, I like it.

Taste has a grainy sweetness to it, mildly herbal, floral, finish carries another dose of cereal grains and a light balancing floral bitterness that disappears cleanly. I think this one is miscategorized - certainly closer to a Helles than a German Pils, and a very well done one at that. Nice subtlety to the whole affair, what's simple and quite tasty at first hides a bit of complexity that emerges as the glass empties.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied, medium-light carbonation is soft and whisks along the tongue instead of scrubbing it. Perhaps just a hair on the heavy side, but still beautifully drinkable. Would love to see just a bit more of a grassy hop presence, but that's generally my stance on most pale lagers. A very good beer in all respects.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2011 23:47:01 | More by JohnQVegas

Vdubb86

Illinois

3.78/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served in a Sam Adam's Perfect Pint Glass

This beer looks like a slight slight haze on a golden body with a sterile white froth on the surface. There is a bit of the distinct pilsner sour, but it's much more subtle than most. There is a hint of green apple and honey on the nose as well. The body is light and crisp with really subtle flavors. There is an off bready bitterness that I don't much care for, but it's not overwhelmingly bad. The mouthfeel is fairly decent for the style and it's nice and drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

11-27-2010 18:21:02 | More by Vdubb86

samie85

Illinois

2.55/5  rDev -33.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

A-A vigorous pour shows a golden straw color with a two-finger, dense, white head.

S-Light pilsner malt with some faint aromas of spicy, herbal hops.

T-Crisp, light bitterness that fades into light malt and finishes a little watery and with a the faintest hint of bitterness.

M-Prickly, low carbonation with light medium that feels a little thin and watery on the finish.

D-Honestly, the finish reminds me a little too much of something like Miller Lite. Not sure if this is an old beer, as there's no dating info., but this is not a beer I would buy again.

Serving type: bottle

10-15-2010 04:15:04 | More by samie85

BeerFMAndy

Wisconsin

4.25/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

12 oz bottle poured into a pilsner glass. No date or info.

A - It's certainly bright! Brilliant clarity to the pale straw yellow color with a dense white head. Strong carbonation maintains the firm stature while wispy lace covers the glass as it sinks.

S - Lightly citrus-based noble German hops pour from the aroma on the pour. Very open and crisp. Pale and pils malts back it all up nicely with a little grainy hint and a slight mineral touch.

T - Smooth and crisp right off the bat, it's filled with mild pils malts that are balanced nicely by a good, mellow citrusy hop flavor that seems to shine after the swallow. Grain hints and a touch of mineral flavor in there.

M - Bright and crisp clarity with strong carbonation that finishes with a tingle. Smooth and very refreshing with a tiny hop bitterness.

D - Perfect drinkability, this could go down by the 6 pack. It's a good pilsner that you could use to replace a BMC in people's hands but stands up very well to the craft drinker. Good clarity, nice finish, it's one hell of a session beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2010 00:16:18 | More by BeerFMAndy

AleWatcher

Illinois

4.18/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Reviewed from notes--
Served in pint glass.

Pours a kind of chill hazed bright copper/orange with a glowing yellowness. Weird ? Nope! Nice head and retention. I really like the color too.

Very faint malt and some hops-- perhaps of a noble variety? The nose is pretty faint. The yeast is doing something that I can't quite put my finger on... This is a subtle beer that is really putting me to the test. It tastes good, but I'm having a hard time pinpointing why. There is a light hint of oranges...

Body is very light-- and very easy drinking. Smooth feel with solid carbonation. The taste is really good... a mild sweetness with some spicy floral hops... A good touch of bitterness.

The subtle beers are much harder for me to review!

Serving type: bottle

09-17-2010 03:22:56 | More by AleWatcher

Tone

Missouri

3.93/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a clear, gold color. 1/2 inch head of a white color. Great retention and decent lacing. Smells of sweet malt, pale malt, grain, hint of hops, and slight yeast. Fits the style of a German Pilsner. Mouth feel is sharp and crisp, with an average carbonation level. Tastes of sweet malt, slight pale malt, slight grain, slight yeast, and slight hops. Overall, good aroma, body, and blend.

Serving type: bottle

08-27-2010 14:59:01 | More by Tone

Deuane

Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to Kegatron for a bottle of this.

A-Brilliant (bright) clear golden yellow. A small bright white head reduces to a thin cap and leaves spotty lace.

S-Bright aroma of fresh cut McIntosh Apple and a nice floral waft. Touch of lemon zest and biscuit malt in the background.

T-Bright and crisp spicy floral hop bite with a pleasant fruitiness supporting nicely. Lightly toasted biscuit malt adds support but does not overwhelm. Touch of biting lemon zest in the background.

M-Medium-light body fairly bright, sharp and crisp with a building dryness.

D-Is this beer "Bright"? Hell yeah! An excellent adjective for this beer. Plenty of flavour, crisp with a low ABV to boot this one is a very refreshing and easy drinking. A very solid summertime BBQ brew!

Serving type: bottle

07-29-2010 17:44:55 | More by Deuane

rhoadsrage

Illinois

4/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

(Served in a flute)
A- The crystal clear copper hued body has a lumpy snow-white head that last for a long while. There is a slow moving sea of microbubbles that glide to the surface.
S- The soft clean flinty aroma has notes of raw grain and a faint herbal greenness in the finish.
T- The slightly sweet hint finishes with a smooth blend of sulfur and spicy green hops. As the beer opens up there is a carbonic acid note and a green cinnamon quality to the hops. There is a very light tartness to the hops aswell.
M- This beer has a light mouthfeel with a clean fizz and no alcohol heat.
D- This beer has some nice subtle complexity and is very crisp and easy to drink. This is a good session beer especially in the warm months.

Serving type: bottle

07-28-2010 15:36:52 | More by rhoadsrage