Prima Pils - Victory Brewing Company

magnj

New Jersey

4.47/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Sixtel in kegerator @12psi

A - Very light and clear golden body. Nice 1 finger head drops pretty quick.

S - Light grainy malt base with herbal, grassy, citrus hop nose.

T - Favors bitterness but well balanced. Again grainy Pilsner malt is met with grassy herbal hop flavor. Simple but loads of flavor.

M/D - Light body, ends dry. Super drinkable, maybe a touch bitter for some but great to me. At the top of my list for American interpretations of the style.

Serving type: on-tap

01-02-2011 22:11:41 | More by magnj

AgentZero

Illinois

3.45/5  rDev -15.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A - Yellow beer, little bit cloudy, small head that leaves a little bit of lace.

S - Nose is a bit more potent that I was expecting, with more hops than most pils. Pretty sweet smelling as well.

T - Crisp, sweet, clean, decent hop balance. Taste is pretty light, but it is a pilsner, and packs some taste in there that I wasn't quite expecting. Better than average.

M - Light, crisp, moderate carbonation, little watery.

D - Pretty drinkable session beer, a good one to have at a wedding and other occassions where the macro and craft guys mix.

Serving type: on-tap

12-29-2010 05:11:41 | More by AgentZero

mikeg67

New Jersey

3.25/5  rDev -20.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On tap at The Office. Pours golden in color with a nice, long lasting, white head. Aroma is light of grassy hops. Very dry. Earthy hops dominate the flavor from the beginning with some maltiness in the background. Long, dry finish. Well, I'm just not a pilsner lover.

Serving type: on-tap

12-17-2010 22:01:03 | More by mikeg67

SkunkWorks

New York

4.03/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Had on tap. Served in a pilsener glass.

Look: clear, bright yellow. The head is thin, fluffy, and pretty much white. It retains well and leaves small amounts of lacing in the glass behind.

Smell: some hoppiness, with a little citrus and a little earthiness. There's also a bit of malt in there as well.

Taste: lightly hopped with some citrus zest flavors present in the nose with some malt lending a bready quality to the beer.

Feel: thin, crisp, dry finish.

Drink: obviously, given the style, this is an easy drinking beer.

Overall, a good take on the pilsener style. There's not a whole lot to say about it since its quite simple, but its still well done. This isn't my favorite style so I just tried to review against the style. It wasn't as hoppy on tap as I remember it being in a bottle. Given the beer's hoppiness, I can't help but think of the Miller commercials claiming it is triple hopped brewed for that great pilsener taste. Well, if you want an actually decent example of that kind of thing, go with Prima Pils. Cheers!

Serving type: on-tap

12-08-2010 13:50:04 | More by SkunkWorks

JAXSON

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Following review from 2009 notes, adjusting rating to more recent draft samples. In general a bit grassy, grainy, with a too much lingering bitterness for a pilsner. But it's a fine beer still, Victory knows this style well.

Bottle. Pours a fairly clear straw color with a nice white fizzy head. Nose is fresh wheat, gentle grassy hops and a bit of lemony. Crisp, highly refined flavor. The hops are gentle and meld perfectly with the bright, citric qualities. Has only a bit of lingering bitterness. Not quite as good as the CBC pilseners from Victory, but a pleasure to drink nonetheless.

Serving type: on-tap

11-09-2010 04:04:29 | More by JAXSON

dogfishandi

New York

4/5  rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

had this on tap at pizza plant. enjoyed alongside one of there famous pods(wingy dingy).

poured a super clear pale yellow color with some decent pure white retentive head, decent lace.

the aroma is that of grains with herbal and spicy hops

in the taste, grains husks balanced by spicy, lemon citrus hops. decent amount of bitter hops.

light bodied, ample carbonation. hop oils are just a little noticable on the palate, lingering bitterness

great drinkability, goes down very easy. a nice session choice.

overall a nice overly hopped pilsner, definatly worth a try.

Serving type: on-tap

11-07-2010 16:00:29 | More by dogfishandi

HeadofHops

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I tried this beer on a whim at a beer festival not expecting more than a good beer. Turns out it was a great beer. The most unique aspect of this beer was the flavor which I would describe as distinctly fresh and herbal; its reminded me of basil. I am definitely planning on seeking out this beer from a retailer and bringing it home.

Serving type: on-tap

10-27-2010 01:03:18 | More by HeadofHops

Thorpe429

Illinois

4.15/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Reviewed from notes, although I've had this too many times to count.

Pours a niceclear golden straw color with plenty of visible carbonaion bubbles. Nice white head and a bit of lacing. Nose is grain and fresh noble hops. Herbal, floral, and a tad earthy. Taste balances the grain and bitterness quite well. Great, crisp mouthfeel with good carbonation levels. Drinks really well and is a Spring and Summer staple for me.

Serving type: on-tap

10-20-2010 16:09:22 | More by Thorpe429

Strategery

Ohio

2.53/5  rDev -38%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 4 | overall: 2

Reviewing this beer as I'm drinking it at an upper west side bar in NYC.

Appearance- It looks just like a good Pilsener should. Crystal clear gold, with a 1/2 inch head and decent lacing. Certanly looks the part.

Smell- Not bad. A little musky. A friend of mine picks up some smoke, which I don't. We both agree it has a bit of stinky cheese as well as a distinct sour apple smell. Interesting.

Taste- This is where this beer just constantly disappoints me. It is apparently the highest rated German Pilsener on planet earth, and it just seems like the point is lost in this beer. It almost always tastes like Victory added some liquid skunk to this beer. Which I'm sure is from the whole cone Saaz hops, but it just isn't a good example of the style at all. Radeburger, Jever, Bittburger, and even Great Lakes' Prohibition Pils are much better representations of what this style should be. The flat bitterness on the back of the palette is the most disconcerting part. When it's I've cold, it's fairly refreshing, but loses any sublety of flavor once it warms even te slightest bit.

Mouthfeel- Crisp, light. No complaints.

Drinkability- One and done. Which is disappointing for supposedly the best Pilsener on the planet.

Overall- I absolutely love lagers. I'm a contrarian when it comes to most people on this sight in that regard. I've just been constantly disappointed by this beer. The Gaffel Kolsch (an ale I know) and the Radeberger I had prior just showed so much more craftsmanship and subtlety that this beer ultimately just fell short.

Serving type: on-tap

09-21-2010 05:08:44 | More by Strategery

DrewKid4

New Hampshire

3.95/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Served: On tap from The Brickstore Pub in Decatur, GA in its proper glass.

A: Golden straw with a big fluffy white head that dissipates rather quickly.

S: Mostly malt but some hop to add some kick.

T: Tasted more of a kolsch than a typical pilsner. Malts, mostly roasted, and some nuts followed by some hops, again for a bit of a bite at the end.

M: As light as a typical pilsner. Very dry.

D: I bought this because I've only heard good things about it. I gave it a pretty good review, but I also don't really see what all the hubbub was about. It was just another good variation of a pilsner in my eyes. Could get something similar for a smaller price in the store and still be more than happy.

Serving type: on-tap

09-11-2010 06:41:19 | More by DrewKid4

detlefchef

North Carolina

3.15/5  rDev -22.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Classic clear and blond color with reasonably thick, white head.

Super fragrant with aromas of citrus (grapefruit) and, actually, agave nectar. Some peach as well.

There's a quality about several victory beers I've had of late (well, just this and the Helios) that I'm not that into. That is, a somewhat caustic bitter end. In this case, it dominates so much that I have a hard time enjoying the rest of the beer. You can tell it's good inside, but for this quality. And the bitter taste lingers. Not your typical hoppy bitterness, but a caustic quality.

That sort of knocks down the final 3 grades.

Serving type: on-tap

07-26-2010 20:37:23 | More by detlefchef

jwhancher

Pennsylvania

4.83/5  rDev +18.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

An excellent delicate tasting and smelling beer. The noble hops reign supreme. Clearly a great tasting summer beer but just as much year-round. Really appreciate the cleanness of the malt character. Nice & crisp. Really refreshing. If this beer had the right chance, it could turn the tide of all those BMC drinkers.

Serving type: on-tap

07-21-2010 21:01:11 | More by jwhancher

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.65/5  rDev -10.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Served in a flute glass at ChurchKey.

Wow, how has it taken me so long to drink and review this beer? It pours a clear pale straw topped by a half-finger of white foam. The nose is faint (as I've come to expect from these pilsners), comprising only some wheat and light florals. The taste follows, a bit stronger, with notes of floral and citrus peel bitters and a very light background bit o' biscuits. The body is light, with a moderate carbonation and a crisp, dry finish. Overall, a solid pils, but nothing to get all that uppity about.

Serving type: on-tap

07-17-2010 01:41:42 | More by TMoney2591

Pittsburgh

Massachusetts

3.68/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this on tap at a local restaurant while watching the US open, took some notes, I was alone, waiting for my wife. Good golden color looked like mountain dew almost, good carbonation as well, looks like a solid Pilsener. Lives up to the hype as far as hops go, wow, very hoppy, basically all hops. Very dry and bitter as well, in a good way true to the style. Also getting a hint of lemon flavor. Very drinkable, goes down easy, great for a warm summer day. Tastes light, but has a big flavor as well.

This beer has very big bite, bitterness, dryness, and hops. Solid beer. Flavor explodes in your mouth in a huge hop bomb.

Serving type: on-tap

06-22-2010 23:43:10 | More by Pittsburgh

y2jrock60

Pennsylvania

4.38/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- Creamy bright white head that laces nicely. Very clear yellow with nice carbonation. It just looks refreshing.

S- A very noticeable noble hop aroma.

T- Delicious. Up front punch of powerful noble hops. The bitterness fades nicely. The most flavorful pilsner I've had.

M- Light bodied but it has a nice kick and carbonation level.

D- Highly drinkable. This is probably my favorite summer beer. There's nothing like drinking Prima Pils on a hot summer day or night outside, its awesome.

Serving type: on-tap

05-25-2010 06:01:17 | More by y2jrock60

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

3.98/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

At Max's today.

The beer pours a solid gold color with OK head retention and fair lacing. The nose is light but attactive, consisting of honey, biscuit dough and light pepper. Flavors replicate the nose, with the beer showing some light sweetness initially that is quickly balanced by a considerable bite of bitterness in the finish. This beer is light and refreshing, but still has plenty of flavor. Drinkability is quite good, with the crisp bitter finish and low alcohol making this very much a summer time session beer.

As always, just a very nice beer...

Serving type: on-tap

05-14-2010 20:23:52 | More by johnmichaelsen

morebeergood

Massachusetts

3.73/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Jerry Remy's Bar on Boylston Street. Served in a standard pint glass. I wanted to order something that would quench my thirst while I ate my spicy buffalo wings. Clear yellow body. Lots of carbonation. Moderate sized white head. Smell didn't grab me at all. Taste on the other hand was excellent. Wonderful and light, it has all the flavor that a well-built pils should exhibit. Just a hint of malt and hops; it's the crispness that stands out. It's a lager, so it may lack a bit in my mind in the mouthfeel category, but that only makes the drinkability that much better. Low abv also makes this beer extremely easy to quaff. A nice fire extinguisher to my wings - a perfect pair.

Serving type: on-tap

05-12-2010 21:22:13 | More by morebeergood

dstc

Florida

4.13/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a light gold color with a big foamy white head. Head falls very slow and stays throughout glass. Nice clingy lace never seems to dissappear.

Very floral nose. Nice hop in the aroma, smells very nice.

Nice taste. Pleasant ammont of hops up front followed by s full body ending in a mild lingering bitterness.

Medium bodied in the mouth with rather low carbonation.

Very good, easy drinking beer. Worked well sitting a spring training game. Nicely done.

Serving type: on-tap

03-21-2010 17:42:58 | More by dstc

Mebuzzard

Colorado

4.25/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Vine St. pub in Denver.
A nice, light golden pour. Topped by a rich, semi chunky.
Good lacing all the way down, sticky.

A spicy aroma to it with quick whiffs of light biscuit. Coriander and persimmon. Some floral.

The taste is a good play between spicy hops and biscuit. Whereas the hops dominate at first with spice and florals, the biscuity malt comes in at the end with a semi-sweet finish. Although there is a bite to it, it's still rather smooth and clean. Not musky like some GPs.

I drank this paired with quesadillas. Perhaps not the best combo, but the malt and tortilla worked out well.
very nice

Serving type: on-tap

03-13-2010 09:19:01 | More by Mebuzzard

PreacherBrewer

Virginia

4.53/5  rDev +11%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

A - deep golden color with a fantastic white head.

S - smells of hops, crackers, with a clean scent.

T - hops, crackers, pretzel, grain, etc.

M - lighter body fits style, and is quite active. spot on for the style.

D - This is a fantactic pilsner. well done all around. near perfection

Serving type: on-tap

02-18-2010 16:46:56 | More by PreacherBrewer

KickbacksSteve

Florida

4.58/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

On tap at Brick Store Pub. Poured into Victory pilsner glass. One inch white foamy head lingers for a while on a clear golden body. Aroma is a mix of a biscuity pilsner and a grapefruit. Comforting and lovely. Taste is similar. Just slightly and beautifully out of balance on the style towards hoppy but not so much as to upset the run of the mill pilsner drinker. Amazingly delicious and over the top smooth.

Serving type: on-tap

02-10-2010 05:32:39 | More by KickbacksSteve

BeerNemesis

New York

3.8/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Victory Prima Pils. 2010 vintage on tap. 5oz. tasting.

Appearance:
Cloudy, pale, straw-yellow. Streaming carbonation and a frothy, white one-finger head.

Smell:
Very herbal, wheaty, and lemony.

Taste:
It'a a very hoppy pilsner. Fruity / juicy hops initially, quickly followed by a rush of grassy herbal flavor. Really not my favorite taste (exceedingly bitter and herbal) but it's unique and well pulled off as far as I can tell.

Mouthfeel and Drinkability:
Well carbonated, light, and dry. Thirst-quenching drinkability.

Serving type: on-tap

01-29-2010 23:54:12 | More by BeerNemesis

nhopkin

Michigan

4.25/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served on tap

Appearance: clear, bright yellow, small creamy head, leaves a little lacing down the side. Light straw color with lots of tiny bubbles streaming up.

Smell: Nice hop spiciness comes out in the nose. A little bit of biscuit-like malt with some subtle herby flavors.

Taste: Starts out quite mellow. A little light, sweetish kind of pleasant bready malt, then followed immediately by zesty spice. Finishes out bitter with a lingering and surprisingly strong bitter aftertaste. It's nice though, it helps to cleanse the palate for the next eager sip.

Mouthfeel: bright and bubbly but not too harsh. Just enough pop to really complement and bring out the spicier side of the brew.

Drinkability: Very pleasant beer with a lot more assertive flavor than I was expected (it was welcome). This was only my second pilsner and I found it quite delicious and bold without being overbearing. Understated grace.

Serving type: on-tap

01-13-2010 05:37:16 | More by nhopkin

SpeedwayJim

New York

3.4/5  rDev -16.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

On-tap at Ginger Man NY served in a pint glass.

A: Fine white 1 finger head with outstanding retention. Brew itself is light orange/yellow. Lacing is magnificent for a beer with such light body... its almost frothy in appearance.

S: Nose is fresh citrus, grass, and pine with a slight hint of hop bitterness.

T: Begins with light hops and transitions towards the middle into a fresh citrus. Finish is bitter... not hop bitter, but a lingering, biting bitterness.

M: Light bodied and coarse. Finishes clean but bitter aftertaste really sticks in the mouth.

D: Highly drinkable but the aftertaste again really kills this beer. It builds and builds but never seems to fade and makes each subsequent sip more and more intensly bitter.

Serving type: on-tap

10-19-2009 00:50:25 | More by SpeedwayJim

champ103

Texas

3.43/5  rDev -15.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a surprisingly hazy yellow. A one finger white head forms and leaves some light lace.
S: Citrus, pine, and grassy hops. A grain and cereal malt aroma.
T: Plenty of bitter hops for the style. Grapefruit, pine, grassy. Light malt, cereal, and grain for balance.
M/D: Light and watery. Very thin. Easy to drink, as a Pilsener should be. Though one is enough for me.

Not a bad beer at all, just not my favorite Pils. It is not one of those that I want to drink one after another. Which is what I pretty much judge the style by.

Serving type: on-tap

09-20-2009 03:04:21 | More by champ103