hopIQ
ENDE
Build your DNASign in

Primus

Tap to rate

Inspired by Jan Primus, Duke of Brabant, with the Belgian tricolour on its label: a pils that has kept the same recipe for more than fifty years. Grain and grass in the aroma, bitter, grassy and yeasty on the palate. A blend of hops and clear water, brewed entirely in Belgium by Haacht at 5.2%. It is also made at 2.6% and, alcohol-free, at 0.4%.

ABV
5.2%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Clean, dry bitterness
SRM
pale gold3
PaceSession
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
grassyyeastyhoppy
grassy
yeasty
hoppy
clean
malty
Aroma
The nose opens with herbaceous and grassy top notes characteristic of noble hop expression, layered with a faint but distinct cereal grain undertone.
not found:juicy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Primus

◎ Appearance

Primus presents a pale golden hue with excellent clarity and a bright, effervescent character. The white foam head rises with vigor and maintains steady adhesion to the glass, displaying fine Schaumkleiden that linger through the drink. Carbonation is brisk and uniform throughout.

pale goldenbrilliant claritypersistent white headlively carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with herbaceous and grassy top notes characteristic of noble hop expression, layered with a faint but distinct cereal grain undertone. Subtle yeast-derived notes emerge on closer inspection, lending a clean, fresh quality without any musty or oxidative character. The overall profile is restrained and dry.

grassy, herbalnoble hopscereal grainyeast-forward

◐ Taste

Entry is crisp and clean, with a light body that belies the beer's dry structure. The mid-palate develops grassy and slightly yeasty notes alongside a pronounced bitterness that builds steadily, leaving a mineral-edged, grassy finish on the tongue. Bitterness persists without harshness, supported by restrained malt sweetness.

dry, grassymeasured bitternesslight bodyyeasty undertone

◑ Finish

The aftertaste is short to medium, tapering cleanly into a lingering grassy and slightly bitter dryness. No cloying sweetness remains.

dry finishgrassy aftertastequick fade
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
76
Taste
79
Appearance
82
Finish
75
Serve at 4–7°C

Serve well-chilled at 4–6°C for maximum crispness. A pilsner served too warm loses its defining snap.

Pilsner glass

The tall, narrow pilsner glass preserves carbonation and showcases the golden clarity that defines the style.

Drink fresh and cold. Pilsners do not improve with age — within 3 months of packaging is ideal.

+ Sign in to add your tasting note

Food Pairing

What to eat with Primus

More from Brouwerij Haacht

Charles Quint Goudblond
Charles Quint Goudblond
Belgian Strong Golden Ale
8.5%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →
Charles Quint Robijnrood
Charles Quint Robijnrood
Belgian Strong Dark
8.5%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →
Mystic Kriek
Mystic Kriek
American Wheat Ale
3.5%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →
Primus 0.4
Primus 0.4
Alcohol-Free Lager
<0.5%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →
Primus 2.6
Primus 2.6
Light Lager
2.6%·Mild
Find matches →
SUPER 8 Blanche
SUPER 8 Cherry
SUPER 8 Cherry
American Wheat Ale
3.5%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →
SUPER 8 Flandrien
SUPER 8 Flandrien
Belgian Blonde Ale
6.4%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →

About German Pilsner

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a German Pilsner?

Pilsners are crisp golden lagers with 4–5.5% ABV and IBU 25–45. Defined by spicy, floral Saaz hops over a light malt backbone — bright carbonation and a dry bitter finish.

Finding a similar German Pilsner

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same grassy, bitter, yeasty character as Primus will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Compare with another beer →Explore all German Pilsner beers in hopIQ →New to German Pilsner? Read our guide →Browse Belgium beers →