Liberty Ale
Anchor Brewing Company

Liberty AleLiberty Ale
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From:
Anchor Brewing Company
 
California, United States
Style:
American IPA
ABV:
5.9%
Score:
87
Avg:
3.88 | pDev: 11.6%
Reviews:
1,601
Ratings:
3,570
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Dec 14, 2023
Added:
Nov 18, 2000
Wants:
  107
Gots:
  485
The champagne-like bubbles, distinctive hop bouquet, and balanced character of Liberty Ale® revives centuries-old ale brewing traditions that are now more relevant than ever. First introduced in 1975, Liberty Ale® is brewed strictly according to traditional craft brewing methods, and uses only natural ingredients — pale malted barley, fresh whole-cone Cascade hops and a special top-fermenting yeast, and water.

The yeast used during fermentation produces many of Liberty Ale's subtle flavors and characteristics. A natural process called "bunging" creates gentle carbonation, and the practice of dry hopping (adding fresh hops to the brew during aging), revived by Anchor, creates its unique aroma.

Liberty Ale® was first brewed to celebrate the bicentennial of Paul Revere’s historic ride. As the first modern American IPA brewed after prohibition and the first modern American single-hop ale and dry-hopped ale, Anchor’s Liberty Ale® is the original craft brewed ale and the historic beer that started a revolution.
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Ratings by badbonez:
Photo of badbonez
Reviewed by badbonez from California

4.97/5  rDev +28.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Let me start this by saying I don't like the large American beers, Mexican beers, Italian beers, French beers or Belgian beers of any type. If you like these types of beer you probably will not like Liberty. But if you think that good beer is a balance of ingredients leading to a balance of flavors, read on.

Alright, I'm a new member but I have to write about my favorite beer in the entire world (and I've travelled many places). I don't even know where to start to describe perfection: The appearance is usually a dark golden color but I have come across chill haze (at least I think it's chill haze). but the taste and aroma are what it's all about. This has a perfect blend of hops and malty sweetness. It's not like English ales which isn't enough hops, two perfectly combine and make you realize why beer makers started using hops in the first place. In addition there is a feel to the beer that belies the malts. It's not as heavy going down the palate as you would expect for a beer with this sweetness. This beer not only tastes good but it is refreshing and to me seems to be what beer was meant to be.


I've given this beer to friends visiting from England who immediatley say that they hate American "crap" beers. But once they taste it they are usually hooked. Not saying that the English are the end all of beer knowledge, but they do have a history of beer that we in the states don't have. I've always wondered what a German would think.


I rated this beer this highly because I have not had, and probably will never have, it's equal. I've stopped trying really. If Liberty's on tap I shout "Liberty, or death" to the bar keep. I don't bother looking at the other tap handles.


That must be 250 words.
May 27, 2004
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3 by mblakesley from California

Dec 14, 2023
 
Rated: 3.75 by Noelito76 from New York

Sep 09, 2023
 
Rated: 5 by SRV from Oklahoma

Sep 09, 2023
 
Rated: 3.71 by Humanusfermentum from Virginia

Aug 19, 2023
Photo of BeerGeekExtraordinaire
Reviewed by BeerGeekExtraordinaire from Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
As always, my caveat: I rate the way I do on Untappd.

I was able to snag an Anchor variety pack that has Steam, California Lager, Tropical Haze and Liberty Ale.

As I understand beer history, this was one of the first craft IPAs released. It's a good beer, but unfortunately, by today's standards, it's barely a pale ale. Edited to add: According to Anchor's own web site: "Now known as the first American Pale Ale and the beer that started the IPA movement".

Poured into my Sam Adams glass, deep gold. It's got a little bit of malt character, and a decent amount of hop bitterness, but this beer gets lost in the competition. There's nothing really remarkable about it.
Aug 16, 2023
Photo of GuyFawkes
Reviewed by GuyFawkes from Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
I had this on draft 6/21/23 @ the Hopleaf.

See-through orange appearance.

Small white head; nice lacing remained.

Grapefruit peel & mild artisanal soap notes in the nose.

Medium mouthfeel.

Grapefruit peel & artisanal soap flavors.

Solid, if unremarkable.
Jun 28, 2023
 
Rated: 3.81 by uncleotis from Illinois

Jun 21, 2023
 
Rated: 3.54 by CisPiece88 from Nebraska

Apr 26, 2023
 
Rated: 3.81 by Rollmeaway2loadout from Illinois

Jan 15, 2023
Photo of Hophazzard
Reviewed by Hophazzard from California

3.49/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
It's to be respected for what it is, but it's not what it was anymore. Even from 10 years ago it's not the same quality as it used to be. I thought that it was just their branding that changed, but apparently not. Too bad too, it was a classic ale!
Nov 05, 2022
 
Rated: 3.18 by Sulty from Massachusetts

Oct 29, 2022
 
 
Rated: 4.73 by Beecham from California

Jun 13, 2022
 
Rated: 3.75 by kuhndog from New York

Dec 30, 2021
 
Rated: 4.1 by LesDewitt4beer from Minnesota

Nov 18, 2021
 
Rated: 4.29 by gwydno from Spain

Nov 14, 2021
 
Rated: 3.97 by Daneve76 from Australia

Sep 27, 2021
 
Rated: 3.75 by blackcloud from Alaska

Sep 16, 2021
 
Rated: 3.67 by Hefsbeercaps from Ohio

Aug 06, 2021
Liberty Ale from Anchor Brewing Company
Beer rating: 87 out of 100 with 3570 ratings