Prima Pils - Victory Brewing Company

pjcors

Florida

3.78/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Twelve once bottle, drank from my brand new Victory glass...

A- A crisp, pale yellow looking beer. Very appetizing appearance. A slightly noticeable lacy head lingers after the pour. Carbonation bubbles are visible. A seriously enticing looking pilsener.

S- Not much happening. I got a slight scent of spicy hops. The aroma is nice and clean, but nothing special really.

T- This is one delicious beer. The taste of hops is strong, spicy almost. However, it's never overbearing. They're nicely complimented with a low-key malty taste that comes in to play the more you drink it. A dry, refreshing aftertaste rounds it all out.

M- There was a surprising amount of bite to this one. I honestly didn't enjoy it all that much. It wasn't as refreshing as I had expected. However, this was also my first time trying the beer.

D- Despite the rather odd mouthfeel and the almost bland smell, this is a very good beer. The crisp, spicy hops and the undercurrent of subtle maltiness make for two complimentary flavors that make for one interesting beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2011 03:55:06 | More by pjcors

samwello

Florida

4.75/5  rDev +16.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I was very surprised at the quality of this beer. It has a hint of dark burnt chocolate flavor and a overall wonderful taste. The after taste runs away too quickly, making you crave for another sip! Carbonation is perfect, appearance and smell...perfect again. I believe the high quality hopps and pilsner quality brewing technique makes this one of the best beers I have ever had role over my tongue! Victory makes some other very good beers....But this one is their best!

Serving type: bottle

06-18-2011 20:23:23 | More by samwello

Smokehouse2012

Puerto Rico

4.5/5  rDev +10.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a bottle into a pint glass

A: Golden crystal color with a nice head and decent lacing.

S: Yeasty yet hoppy with a slight hint of fruit.

T: Very well rounded. Starts off pretty crisp, then the hop flavoring takes over yet its not overpowering, a slight fruit flavor kind of makes the contrast and has an excellent finish.

O: Great take on the German style pilsner. Great for summer outings if you want a beer with a decently balanced body and great refreshing taste. The noble hop flavor sold me right on the spot.

Serving type: bottle

07-23-2011 19:39:22 | More by Smokehouse2012

kri1

California

3.73/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Type: Pilsner
Head - Small to none, very light almost no lacing
Carbonation - Medium
Color - Light yellow, golden
Body/Mouthfeel - Very light beer, but does leave a bitter aftertaste, but is still very dry with and herbal malt taste.
Aroma - Slight hoppy taste, not very sweet though and the malt definitely shines through.

Great pilsner!

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2012 21:07:22 | More by kri1

Dtopete21

California

3.98/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The beer gives off a grape aroma and you can taste it too.
It also smells herbal and grassy.
The head is small.
It is very smooth and fizzy for it being a light beer.
I like it because once you've swallowed it has created a wonderful after taste yet it doesnt have a heavy mouthfeel, it has a nice clean finish.

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2012 00:28:14 | More by Dtopete21

magicman

New Jersey

4.75/5  rDev +16.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This is hands down the best German Pilsner in the business.A wonderful clean and refreshing brew that can be drunk all day and a great pairing for many types of food. The hotter it gets outside the better the beer tastes gong down.Although Victory makes many great brews this is their flagship brew in my opinion.In my opinion the best session beer out there.

Serving type: bottle

08-26-2012 08:22:55 | More by magicman

YukataNinja

Illinois

3.78/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Appearance: Dark yellow, some bubbles, nice 1.5 finger head that faded slowly.

Smell: Nice pilsner malt smell, not too strong or weak.

Taste: Very well balanced. Starts with a hop kick and then quickly fades to the malt sweetness and a slight bitterness. Very smooth.

Mouthfeel: Light carbonation, sweet lingering taste, palate mostly clean.

Drinkability: Very good beer, easily enjoyable anytime. I'm not a pilsner guy but I could see my self making this a regular beer to drink

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2007 03:18:51 | More by YukataNinja

goetta

Ohio

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

Poured from bottle with one inch off white head. Snow like lacing with cloudy straw color. A floral hop aroma and slight citrus flavor stands out in this pilsner. Smooth and silky mouthfeel with good malt balance.
Not as crisp, light or bitter as many pilsners. Would complement many food choices. This beer defies any particular purpose or occasion. This beer would be a good choice at any time.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2009 20:42:44 | More by goetta

tniless

Minnesota

4.45/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a pint glass. Nice one inch head over slightly cloudy gold body. Very vibrant aroma - floral with a hint of lemon. Complex flavor and great mouthfeel. Complex flvors throughout your entire mouth. Very, very drinkable. One of the best Pils I have ever had.

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2009 03:11:11 | More by tniless

Danimaleatdrums

Ohio

3/5  rDev -26.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured from bottle into a pilsner glass.

Color is golden straw, thin head that dissolves quickly to sides, some left on top.

Smell is citrus, hops, and yeast.

Taste is citrus and honey, bitter long after.

Mouthfeel is prickly with carbonation.

Overall, a decent enough beer, but I was led to expect better. Good as a beer, but I don't think it represents the style.

Serving type: bottle

06-28-2011 22:15:14 | More by Danimaleatdrums

superjose

Michigan

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

poured from bottle into pint glass

A - pale golden yellow, bright white head that fades fairly quickly leaving tight thin lacing on the glass

S - flowery, citrus hops

T - hoppy with a mild sweet maltiness laying underneath

M - light, crisp and dry

O - A refreshing pils prefect for a warm summer day, clean and smooth leaving you wanting more.

Serving type: bottle

07-08-2011 01:11:37 | More by superjose

cbbqbrew

Georgia

4.64/5  rDev +13.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I just keep coming back to this one. It is clean and crisp. The look is just what one would expect from this style. This one is bitter. It takes a little getting used to. I have learned to LOVE it. Refreshing! Not boring! The lacing is very even and sticks to the glass like a spider web.
Great beer and reasonably affordable too!

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2013 22:57:01 | More by cbbqbrew

oaktown

Massachusetts

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

Here's the thing... this is a good Pils... but it suffers from what I call JD Drew disease. It's a good Pils but for the price I pay for it, it better knock me off my chair and it does not.

As good as it is, is it really all that much better than other (read: cheaper) beers of the same category? Maybe, maybe not. And for two dollars more, I'll take the cheaper. Still a very good Pils.

A: Great golden appearance.

S: I enjoyed the smell. Nice and crisp. Smells take you places, and this one brought me back to Central Europe (the good parts).

T: Good and crisp. Nice kick to it. Not as complex as I would like, but for a Pils this one has some good meat on the bones.

D: A little disappointed, actually. A real one at a time beer for me.

Serving type: bottle

07-13-2008 05:31:14 | More by oaktown

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

JDM02370

Massachusetts

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

This beer has a hoppy enough taste that one might confuse it with an india pale ale. Ignoring that aspect, the quality and flavor are top-notch and it is hard to think of a better variety that is on the market. The problem is that it appears to be one of several newer twists on the tradition of brews that originate in the Czech crown lands of Bohemia: it attempts to redefine pilsner by marrying it to something characterized by an abundance of hops.

Serving type: bottle

10-10-2011 00:03:03 | More by JDM02370

Brewhead

California

4.7/5  rDev +15.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

pours bright yellow, typical for a european lager, though this is totally american.
midrange carbonation. has a good one finger frothy white head after it settles down.
smells grapefruity like a mild IPA.
taste similar to smell with lots of grapefruit. tastes like an IPA lager. wonderful! does it get any better than this?

Serving type: bottle

06-30-2012 02:06:04 | More by Brewhead

Toowombaus

California

4.5/5  rDev +10.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

I had this out of a 12 oz bottle with a freshness date.
This is a very hoppy, floral, and dry beer. I loved it!
This would go great with yard work.
A great way to start the evening before the double IPA's start.
Go Victory! I really love this brewery!

Serving type: bottle

05-25-2009 00:16:34 | More by Toowombaus

pygmylush

Virginia

3.9/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Tasted from a pilsener glass.

A- Pours a pale yellow.
S- Grilled sweet corn.
T- Not much different from a PBR. Some hop bitterness lingers. Where'd the corn go?
M- Light. Clean. Prickly carbonation.
D- Super duper. Session it.

Outside of mass-market brews, I haven't tried very much of this style. Overall, a solid, drinkable brew.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2010 01:57:11 | More by pygmylush

rexbanner420

Virginia

4.65/5  rDev +14%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

This is really a terrific pilsner. At over 5% ABV and loaded with hop flavor, it feels like a big beer, but hits the spot on a sunny September day. It's dry and full of saaz bite. This is one of the most robust pilsners that I have ever tasted, and I believe is a shining example of the style. A quality German pilsner that can stand toe-to-toe with IPAs.

Serving type: bottle

09-30-2010 20:02:14 | More by rexbanner420

TheBeermaster

Ohio

2.7/5  rDev -33.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Appearance - Thick lacey head. Very clear golden yellow hue.

Smell - Very hoppy, sharp.

Taste - Bitter. Not as rich nor as smooth as one would expect from a great pilsener. The amount/type of hops in this beer would make an IPA blush.

Mouthfeel / Drinkability - Refreshing. Dry finish.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2011 00:15:52 | More by TheBeermaster

dye7

Ohio

4.05/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

appearance: bright gold, moderate head, lots of bubbles. very nice.

smell: grassy hops

taste: more bitter than some other pils i've tried, but very well balanced. the hops stand out in this one.

mouthfeel: it's a bit heavy for the style. when i think of pils, i want something light and refreshing and cold. drinkability is lacking because of this.

prima pils is good overall but i find i actually enjoy sam adam's noble pils much more.

Serving type: bottle

06-29-2011 02:40:15 | More by dye7

ncliberal55

North Carolina

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

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a pint glass.

A: Pours a light golden yellow. Almost straw colored.

S: Smells of Citrus and malt. A hint of hops.

T: Initially hoppy but evolves into a smooth almost dough-like taste.

Overall: Fantastic. One of the best Pilseners I have ever had. Will definitely buy this one again.

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2011 22:51:51 | More by ncliberal55

dled20

Indiana

1.5/5  rDev -63.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 1 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.5

DONT BELIEVE THE HYPE!!!

First of all this is not a german pilsner, its more comparable to really awful American IPA. Really damn carbonated and looks like dehydrated piss with seltzer water. Taste was a watery carbonated bud light with hops. And the combination is the least satisfying. Definitely letting all the "Pros" that rated this beer so highly share this hillbilly beer to their families because I will definitely not be.

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2012 03:05:12 | More by dled20

RodneyCarrington

4.88/5  rDev +19.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Late one night after a drug-free fueled raid on my own mind. It occurred to me the most disastorous of capitalist consequence has occurred in this country of the U.S. of A.

You still can't find a good beer.

That's right. I said it. Just like the Europeans have been saying forever. And by beer I mean the stuff our Pappy, and especially Pappys Pappy drank. Especially if your last name has no vowels in it. Isn't that special...

But I digress : A lager - Golden and crisp and uncomplicated from the burden of excess hop, barley or roasting faggotry. A straight, drinkable, readily available, and AFFORDABLE beer.

Thank god D.C. is close enough to dutch country. All hail the greatest beer in America.

Serving type: bottle

06-18-2012 11:29:52 | More by RodneyCarrington

Kurt_Boss

2.43/5  rDev -40.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

My score is way off the norm, but notice how the high ratings tend to agree that this beer is a breed of its own. It makes for a difficult review because it doesn't taste like other pils. Should we treat it as just a beer, or as a particular attempt at the style? I fall on the side of judging to the standard, so please take that into consideration. This receives only a 2.5 (below average!) from me, but it gets this score as a pils. Without regard to style, it's easily a high 3's to low 4's.

This is a pils for an IPA fan. I happen to be a big fan of double IPA's, so this particular beer suits me--but, my take away is it is far too bitter for a pils.

This is a tasty beer, please don't misunderstand me. The problem is that this beer style is supposed to be an easy drinking, low ABV, refreshing brew. A good pils, in my book anyway, is clear, crisp, and thirst quenching; however, this beer is more inline with an experience such as you'll find with a good IPA.

With all that out of the way here's my take.

Served from bottle. I don't care about glass type, so I'm not noting it.

The smell is citrus, hops, and a faint hint of what many will consider skunk. (Don't worry it's not skunked, lagers are aged...a tiny hint of skunk is not a fault!)

Appearance is below average for a pils. It should be clear enough to see through, while the Prima, as many have noted, is cloudy for quiet a while. The carbonation, head, and lacing are perfect examples of what a pils should be--in this regard of appearance Victory has done a great job. Too bad for the clarity!

The mouthfeel is too think and creamy for the style. While no porter or malty bock, it simply is a little too thick. As noted previously, the carbonation is pleasant and what you expect from a pils.

The taste is the real downfall for Prima Pils as a pils. While the style should be refreshing and crisp, low enough ABV to tip several back in a session, the hops will just stick with you. This tastes like an IPA. Not an overly hopped IPA, but it's bitter, and the bitterness does not leave the back of your palate for quite some time.

Overall: This falls below average for a pils. I'm sorry to say, a typical macro pils is simply superior to this for the style.

Final words. Try this beer if you like IPA's. You may just find the lager you've been looking for. You get the hoppiness of a good IPA with the great head of a true pils. Taken in this regard, you'll find much to enjoy, just don't judge it as a pils.

Serving type: bottle

07-30-2012 21:07:45 | More by Kurt_Boss