Victory Prima Pils is a punchy, hoppy pilsner, brewed with the typical American gusto for hops, but using old world ingredients to keep it within the German tradition.
I normally avoid lagers or pilsners as to me they tend to taste like carbonated water, but this one does not shy away from flavour supplied via an ample doses of whole flower German and Czech hops. Because I like to look stupid, I’m going to guess these mystery hops are Saaz and Hallertau (or maybe Tettnanger).
The only other pilsner I’ve really been bothered drinking is Mac’s Hop Rocker because of the namesake hop punch that makes an otherwise boring beer enjoyable so it’s no surprise that the only way you’ll get me to drink another one is if you put a giant picture of a hop on the label.
The Victory Prima Pils is 5.3% ABV and sold in Australia in 650 ml bottles.
The Verdict
Surprisingly, I actually liked this one. It’s got a very fresh hop aroma that teases you with suggestions of nondescript citrus and grapefruit, while the pristine white head promises you a clean and refreshing drink. It has a light body that belies a healthy hop profile of light citrus and (possible) stone fruits that leaves no residual bitterness on the palate but instead finishes dry with a slight astringency. As you make your way down the glass and the beer scratches its way above 5 degrees it opens up more and the once straight forward flavours become a little more complex.
This is one of those beers that screams for a hot summer afternoon so you have an excuse to put away several without feeling guilty.
Thoroughly enjoyable.
8.5/10
Drink If You Like….
It’s quite accessible, and the lack of hop bitterness means that if you would normally shy away from the little green cones, you may find you actually like this one. It’s one of those versatile beers that suits drinking in most settings (okay, maybe not a blizzard), so pair it up with anything (although they suggest it goes best with seafood, burgers, and pizza).
Trivia
Saaz, Hallertau, and Tettnanger are all “noble” hops which many of the European hops varieties used in lagers fall under. Unlike many of the hops grown throughout the world these were not varieties that came about from breeding but from cultivating wild hops found near the towns or cities from which they get their name. One common characteristic of noble hops are the high aroma and low bittering quality (due to high levels of humulone oil, and low levels of the alpha acids which are used for bittering) which is what suits them so well to the light bodied and flavoured lagers and pilsners.
England also have a range of noble hops which include Fuggles, Goldings, and East Kent Goldings.
A Quick Pint 