Boston’s Harpoon Brewery released two American-style lagers in partnership with organizations that benefit families of United States veterans and service members: American Flyer and American Flyer Light. $1 of each case sold will go toward the respective beneficiaries: “American Flyer Light is a light lager that benefits Folds of Honor. American Flyer Lager is a golden lager and benefits Fisher House Foundation.”

Harpoon sent me samples of the beers to review; they are not otherwise available in Oregon unfortunately, but you can always use the brewery’s beer finder to seek some out.

American Flyer Lager

American Flyer is a pale American-style lager brewed to 5% ABV, nicely sessionable without being too strong. The website description says:

Bright, crisp, and full-flavored. American Flyer Lager is a 5% golden lager brewed in partnership with the Fisher House. A portion of proceeds from this beer will help support Fisher House’s mission to provide temporary free lodging for families of patients receiving medical care at major military and VA medical centers across the country.

My notes:

Appearance: Pale yellow, decent clarity, with a nice white head.

Smell: Grainy and sweet, a touch of corn, mildly grassy hops. Clean fermentation profile, and not much aroma overall—pretty light.

Taste: Nice pop of hop bitterness in the flavor, with a green herbal note. Raw grain, a touch earthy, with dried wheatgrass. Bitterness lingers, but it’s fairly clean, and goes light and dry toward the end.

Mouthfeel: Light-bodied, crisp, dry finish.

Overall: Well-brewed with more flavor than I’d expect for an American style lager.

American Flyer Light

This one is even more sessionable with a a crisp 4.2% ABV, and only 120 calories (per the website). Extremely easy drinking!

At 120 calories and 4.2% ABV, American Flyer Light is a flavorful yet crushable light lager. Brewed in partnership with Folds of Honor, a portion of proceeds from this beer will help Folds of Honor’s mission to provide scholarships to families of fallen service members and first responders.

Appearance: Pale yellow-gold, crystal clear, good bubbles and carbonation activity with a white head.

Smell: Light grainy notes, perhaps a touch of DMS or even a scant whiff of sulfur. Quite light with a touch of minerality.

Taste: Light, dry, subtle grain husk flavor with a touch of brown rice. Some bitterness, but it’s rather subtle and herbal. A touch of toasted white bread.

Mouthfeel: Light-bodied and super crisp; not watery nor excessively thin though, which is nice. Dry with good snap in the finish and a clean aftertaste.

Overall: Well-built version of an American light lager that doesn’t feel like industrial “lite” beer.