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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 jera1350:
Reviewed by jera1350 from Minnesota
3.93/5 rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
3.93/5 rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Light gold color with a very creamy off-white head that is short but retains well and leaves lots of lovely lacing.
Pretty one dimensional smelling. Honey and caramel malt sweetness, but that is about it. Hmm, where are those hops?
Okay, we have some hops here. Again, the malt adds some honey and caramel sweetness with some bready and cracker notes. The hops are there to add a touch of bitterness and a little pine.
Great feel of creamy carbonation and smooth, medium body. Clean finish with is lightly dry.
Solid, solid all around beer right here. Extremely drinkable and enjoyable. This is a beer that has lasted the test of time and it shows.
May 14, 2011Pretty one dimensional smelling. Honey and caramel malt sweetness, but that is about it. Hmm, where are those hops?
Okay, we have some hops here. Again, the malt adds some honey and caramel sweetness with some bready and cracker notes. The hops are there to add a touch of bitterness and a little pine.
Great feel of creamy carbonation and smooth, medium body. Clean finish with is lightly dry.
Solid, solid all around beer right here. Extremely drinkable and enjoyable. This is a beer that has lasted the test of time and it shows.
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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