Primo Beer Island Lager 6-pack bottles, $8.99 (sale price) at Foodland in Aina Haina

Back in January of this year, I wrote about the return of Primo Beer to the Hawaii market. But what I think was a blunder is that either the bartender or server at The Shack Hawaii Kai screwed my order up (very rare to happen there) and brought us something else on tap in that draft pitcher.

Reason I say this, is that recently I returned to The Shack and ordered Primo on tap again to retry and received this…

And this second time around was WAY BETTER and far different than that first time try in back in January. This one was much “fruitier”, with a smooth bite, neutral finish, while being slightly sweet, zesty and fragrant. Nice, nice, nice. It tastes more like a hand-crafted microbrew than a mass-produced product.

So recently while in Foodland Aina Haina, I noticed they (finally) brought in 6-pack bottles of Primo, which were on “sale” for $8.99/pack (regular 11.99.. ouch!), which puts it a few bucks more (sale price) than green-bottled European brews.

This is also the only size available in stores, as there are no “cold packs” (12 bottles) or cases. That is, unless you ask the clerk for a case from the stock room.

Thankfully, upon tasting this bottled version, it tasted exactly like that >second< draft pitcher I had from the shack, and looked the same in color, sans the “head”…

Notice I poured it into a collectible “Triple 777″ glass I got from my recent trip to Vegas at the microbrew restaurant in Main Street Station Hotel & Casino where we stayed. This is fitting, as if you stay there, all you see is locals who will likely know what Primo Beer is. lol

Along with the great new recipe (I really like it!), another appealing selling point is the cool label and classic logo they retained on the brown bottle…

That is one cool beer label! And if that ain’t cool enough for you, check out the cap!…

I’d like to see one of these added on to Zack (Ozzy Osbourne) Wylde’s Les Paul!…

And you don’t think I’d have a Primo beer without pupus, do you?…

Smoked Tako…

Dry Ika…

Smoked Ika (squid rings)…

From Tamura’s Market…

So next time you’re in the supermarket, swing by the liquor department and see if they have the new Primo Beer 6-pack bottles in stock. If get, pick one up and give it a shot, then let us know what YOU think!

And if you’re on the mainland or elsewhere around the world asking how to get this beer, my only answer is to come to Hawaii. Apparently the production (it’s brewed and bottled in California, so go figure) is currently limited and available to our market only. Hey, think of it as a good excuse to take a Hawaii vacation!

Post Edit – 2/09: Sited parked in front of a hotel in Waikiki this past weekend, Da’ Primo Beer promotional VW Van!…