Prima Pils
Victory Brewing Company - Downingtown

 

A: yellow gold, full head, slight haze, tiny bubbles
S: fruity, bready
T: hop forward, some malt
M: full and foamy, crisp
O: great example of the style

Brilliantly clear light gold, dense white head, excellent retention, rings of lace
Herbal/floral/spicy hops over bready malt
Flavor follows aroma, clean bitter finish
Light bodied and appropriate carbonation
This was my after work beer for a bit, surprised I hadn't reviewed it before. One of the best made German pils in the US.

 

 

 

 

I like a pilsner with a little funk, that taste of the cellar or cave and Prima has a little funk. It also has a slight skunkyness which I am less enamored with. But the slight skunkyness is dissolved by the hoppy bite at the end. All in all one of the best pilsners I've had. and one of my favorite brews.

This is generally considered an American classic take on German pilsner, and there's a darn good reason for it.

There's a wonderful hoppy bite, but it carries the almost spicy neutrality of Noble hops, not the over the top citrus or tropical fruit of New World varietals. It's hoppy and bitter, but it's by no means an IPL. Drinks crisp and clean, with a bready, grainy deliver of the malt bill. Fairly dry finish.

It's also less complex than the best pilsners, but at the same time, it's not exactly a low volume boutique offering. Getting this kind of quality from a readily available six pack is, frankly, pretty impressive.

The second time I’ve had this so time to review. Pours a golden orange with good head. Smells a little funky, skunky, and sweet. Tastes like citrus, a little spicy, grassy, a little skunky but it’s a good skunk, and a nice bitterness from the german hops. A good pilsner and a refreshing beer, cheers!

 

 

 

 

 

 

From a tap, it was delivered inside a clear pint glass. There's some pleasant white head, with bright amber colored and nearly translucent liquid beneath. Typical Pilsner hops and malting hit the nose. Like many of its style brewed in Pennsylvania, this is an outstanding one. With a body that's supple, yet both smooth and light, it carries the taste near perfectly. There's just enough bitterness to the hops, as it should be. The finish carries that, as it becomes dry. Not much to witness when looking for glass lacing, but that's not why people drink beer. It may not be the best Pilsner brewed in this Commonwealth, but it's better than most made in America.

Best by 7/2023

Appearance: Pours a completely clear, medium golden color with a moderate white head that laces. SRM of 7. (4.00)

Aroma: Strong aromas of floral and lemon citrus hops, some yeast with a slight Belgian spices of lemon and juicyfruit. (4.00)

Flavor: Strong flavors of floral and grassy hops. Bitter off the front followed by some Belgian yeast and some lemon citrus. Pale malts then with a smooth finish bitter finish. (4.00)

Feel: Medium bodied, strong carnation, grainy bitter and clean. (4.25)

Compared to Fair State Pils 5/2023: Pours darker, milder head. Stronger aromas. More yeast and Belgian spices of lemon and juicyfruit. Less bitter flower. Dryer and cleaner.

Overall: A very nice drinking German Pilsner here. Strong floral and bitter hops also with a strong yeast presence that gives hints of juicyfruit. Dry, bitter, yeasty, and clean. Seems like it blends a German Pils, kellerbier, with a touch of goodness from Golden Monkey. It's complex and drinks well. (Rating: 4.08)