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Liberty Ale
Anchor Brewing Company
- 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:
- 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.
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.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by iRaven99664:
Reviewed by iRaven99664 from Alaska
3.75/5 rDev -3.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.75
3.75/5 rDev -3.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.75
L: looks amazing! Has a nice apple juice appearance. Its deep amber but not too dark. And its clear with no mirk. When opened there was jsut a hint of smoke. Lacey head, seems to stick as it goes down.
S: Cracked it open and the first thing I noticed after the smoke was "this is that ideal beer smell". In the "this is the smell I smelt in high school and in college, but better". It's not bad as the aroma is spot on perfect for what its going for at the time it was brewed. It's just not "ale" smell. It's definitely an adjunct lager smell.
T: Again, it feels like an ideal product for what it must be going for back in the day. Seriously it makes me feel that they were trying to do an operation of taking the taste of lager into the world of ale [which seems blasphemous today, but what was probably preferred in the day]. Fruitish, caramel, and slight hop dominate front and back on the tongue, and lingers pleasantly on the tongue. As I saw with another review it may have raised an eye brow in the late 70's, but not too par to todays standards. Should it be knocked for that? No. It's Old Gard. It really truly reminds me of PBR that's filtered for impurities. And as a new found lover of PBR for lower end beer, I'm okay with that. It's just not an IPA, not even English. Hell its not even an ESB or Pale Ale.
F: Again, an ideal quality to this. For being as light as it is, its perfect. It's just a tad thicker than water, with a hint of sudsy carb. rather pleasant. The coating is nice, and the lingering taste reminds you "Oh yeah, that hint of alcohol reminds me I am drinking an adult beverage, but the fruity malt sweetness says its wonderfully soothing".
Overall: If like most of us that started with the BMC adjuncts, but has a preferred taste for PBR and its fruity sweetness, you will enjoy this with its "less than insta-hangover" quality. I can see where this was a hit after decades with Bud and Miller. Todays standards, it doesn't seem high quality or over the top. But I can see this as an American style that screams "I'M FUCKING PATRIOTIC AND THIS BEER SAYS 'MURICA!". Though, it's not a Sam Adams.
Mar 23, 2015S: Cracked it open and the first thing I noticed after the smoke was "this is that ideal beer smell". In the "this is the smell I smelt in high school and in college, but better". It's not bad as the aroma is spot on perfect for what its going for at the time it was brewed. It's just not "ale" smell. It's definitely an adjunct lager smell.
T: Again, it feels like an ideal product for what it must be going for back in the day. Seriously it makes me feel that they were trying to do an operation of taking the taste of lager into the world of ale [which seems blasphemous today, but what was probably preferred in the day]. Fruitish, caramel, and slight hop dominate front and back on the tongue, and lingers pleasantly on the tongue. As I saw with another review it may have raised an eye brow in the late 70's, but not too par to todays standards. Should it be knocked for that? No. It's Old Gard. It really truly reminds me of PBR that's filtered for impurities. And as a new found lover of PBR for lower end beer, I'm okay with that. It's just not an IPA, not even English. Hell its not even an ESB or Pale Ale.
F: Again, an ideal quality to this. For being as light as it is, its perfect. It's just a tad thicker than water, with a hint of sudsy carb. rather pleasant. The coating is nice, and the lingering taste reminds you "Oh yeah, that hint of alcohol reminds me I am drinking an adult beverage, but the fruity malt sweetness says its wonderfully soothing".
Overall: If like most of us that started with the BMC adjuncts, but has a preferred taste for PBR and its fruity sweetness, you will enjoy this with its "less than insta-hangover" quality. I can see where this was a hit after decades with Bud and Miller. Todays standards, it doesn't seem high quality or over the top. But I can see this as an American style that screams "I'M FUCKING PATRIOTIC AND THIS BEER SAYS 'MURICA!". Though, it's not a Sam Adams.
More User Ratings:
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
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, 2023I 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.
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
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, 2023See-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.
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
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
Liberty Ale from Anchor Brewing Company
Beer rating:
87 out of
100 with
3570 ratings
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