Anchor Liberty Ale
Anchor Brewing Company
Beer Geek Stats:
| Print Shelf Talker
- Style:
- American IPA
Ranked #2,346 - ABV:
- 5.9%
- Score:
- 87
Ranked #11,876 - Avg:
- 3.9 | pDev: 11.54%
- Reviews:
- 1,589
- Ratings:
- From:
- Anchor Brewing Company
- California, United States
- Avail:
- Year-round
- Wants
- 104
- Gots
- 480
SCORE
87
Very Good
87
Very Good
Notes:
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.
Reviews: 1,589
| Ratings: 3,520
4.16/5 rDev +6.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Refreshing to see an IPA that looks like this nowadays! Clear burnished gold, thick dense white head with great retention and lace.
Classic cascade aroma- pine, grapefruit, black currant, and floral
Flavor mimics aroma, along with a slightly sweet underlying maltiness
Medium bodied with good carbonation and crisp, clean finish
While I tend to like a bit bolder hoppiness, I miss IPAs with this sort of flavor, aroma, and mouthfeel
433 characters
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Refreshing to see an IPA that looks like this nowadays! Clear burnished gold, thick dense white head with great retention and lace.
Classic cascade aroma- pine, grapefruit, black currant, and floral
Flavor mimics aroma, along with a slightly sweet underlying maltiness
Medium bodied with good carbonation and crisp, clean finish
While I tend to like a bit bolder hoppiness, I miss IPAs with this sort of flavor, aroma, and mouthfeel
433 characters
3.97/5 rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
A slightly cloudy deep golden orange pour with 1-2 finger off white head. Smell is mildly citrus, bit of bready malt, little bit of pine. Taste is of orange - bittersweet - bit of caramel and pine. Well balanced - smooth clean mouthfeel with slight bitter finish. Very good old school IPA.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
A slightly cloudy deep golden orange pour with 1-2 finger off white head. Smell is mildly citrus, bit of bready malt, little bit of pine. Taste is of orange - bittersweet - bit of caramel and pine. Well balanced - smooth clean mouthfeel with slight bitter finish. Very good old school IPA.
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4/5 rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a foggy orange with one finger of white head. Aroma is herbal, pine, and resin with a malty biscuit backbone. Flavor profile is herbal, pine, and resin with biscuit, and earthy malts. Mouth feel is medium in thickness with a pleasant velvety texture. Overall, an old school IPA, and it shows.
Served in a 12oz snifter from a 12oz bottle.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a foggy orange with one finger of white head. Aroma is herbal, pine, and resin with a malty biscuit backbone. Flavor profile is herbal, pine, and resin with biscuit, and earthy malts. Mouth feel is medium in thickness with a pleasant velvety texture. Overall, an old school IPA, and it shows.
Served in a 12oz snifter from a 12oz bottle.
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3.94/5 rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Mildly cloudy, dark amber body; thick, creamy head; rings of lacing left down the glass. Mild fruit aroma; pear and peach. Light malt grain base infused with an excellent layer of hop bitterness; esters. Medium body; crisp with a gentle residual sugar heaviness.
One of my all-time favorite beers. It may not be the west coast hop bomb like some relatively new comers since this beer first appeared, yet it still delivers a balanced, nuanced treat to the taste buds.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Mildly cloudy, dark amber body; thick, creamy head; rings of lacing left down the glass. Mild fruit aroma; pear and peach. Light malt grain base infused with an excellent layer of hop bitterness; esters. Medium body; crisp with a gentle residual sugar heaviness.
One of my all-time favorite beers. It may not be the west coast hop bomb like some relatively new comers since this beer first appeared, yet it still delivers a balanced, nuanced treat to the taste buds.
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4/5 rDev +2.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
355ml bottle.
L: Hazy, orange/amber colour, thin smear of head, spotty lacing.
S: Traditional orange marmalade.
T: Bitter orange and toffee. Semi-sweet.
F: Medium body with pleasing stickiness and light, foaming, carbonation.
O: Dry hopping with Cascade has produced a nose and flavour dominated by seville orange. Mouthfeel is delightful. Highly drinkable. An American classic.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
355ml bottle.
L: Hazy, orange/amber colour, thin smear of head, spotty lacing.
S: Traditional orange marmalade.
T: Bitter orange and toffee. Semi-sweet.
F: Medium body with pleasing stickiness and light, foaming, carbonation.
O: Dry hopping with Cascade has produced a nose and flavour dominated by seville orange. Mouthfeel is delightful. Highly drinkable. An American classic.
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3.92/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
From a 12oz bottle. Pours orange with a finger of white head. Smells of grapefruit and straw. Medium feel with some stickiness. Taste is a blend of malt, citrus, and hop bitterness. More APA than IPA, but whatever.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
From a 12oz bottle. Pours orange with a finger of white head. Smells of grapefruit and straw. Medium feel with some stickiness. Taste is a blend of malt, citrus, and hop bitterness. More APA than IPA, but whatever.
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2.88/5 rDev -26.2%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Tastes like a pilsner -- the Cascade hops come across as quite Saaz-y and the aromas and mouthfeel are straight lager. On par with some of the better AALs
< 60/100
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look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Tastes like a pilsner -- the Cascade hops come across as quite Saaz-y and the aromas and mouthfeel are straight lager. On par with some of the better AALs
< 60/100
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3.76/5 rDev -3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Nice amber / orange colour with a soapy tan head. Smells mellow, not very hoppy, some fruits and citrus creep through. Taste has nice malty backbone. Very drinkable. Prost!
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Nice amber / orange colour with a soapy tan head. Smells mellow, not very hoppy, some fruits and citrus creep through. Taste has nice malty backbone. Very drinkable. Prost!
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3.79/5 rDev -2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Orange gold color with a great feel,perfect carbonation. Aroma is malt,bread,orange peel,and a little grapefruit/citrus. Taste is identical but the hops come through a bit more but not overly bitter. I find its a beer that I drink slowly as it is a bit complex in a good way
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look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Orange gold color with a great feel,perfect carbonation. Aroma is malt,bread,orange peel,and a little grapefruit/citrus. Taste is identical but the hops come through a bit more but not overly bitter. I find its a beer that I drink slowly as it is a bit complex in a good way
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3.77/5 rDev -3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Pours an amber with a white head.
Sweet bready malt and citrus and pine hops with some candy notes.
Sweet bread and candy malt backed by citrus and pine hops. It has a lingering floral and earthy character.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Pours an amber with a white head.
Sweet bready malt and citrus and pine hops with some candy notes.
Sweet bread and candy malt backed by citrus and pine hops. It has a lingering floral and earthy character.
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3.65/5 rDev -6.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Pours a hazy gold with a nice white head. Smells of mild hops, malt, and orange peel. Tastes of orange juice and zest, hops, and slightly sweet malt. Medium in body and carbonation. Overall it's a pretty good IPA, closer to an APA though.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Pours a hazy gold with a nice white head. Smells of mild hops, malt, and orange peel. Tastes of orange juice and zest, hops, and slightly sweet malt. Medium in body and carbonation. Overall it's a pretty good IPA, closer to an APA though.
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4.42/5 rDev +13.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Fresh bottle from a variety pack. Actually looks a bit lighter than their steam beer. Fabulous pillow head. Lasts forever like a cream sundae. Taste is dry hpos and some malty sweetness I think, forgive me, I like it better than their steam!
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Fresh bottle from a variety pack. Actually looks a bit lighter than their steam beer. Fabulous pillow head. Lasts forever like a cream sundae. Taste is dry hpos and some malty sweetness I think, forgive me, I like it better than their steam!
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4/5 rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
12 ounce bottle poured into a pint glass
A: Pours a golden orange with a white creamy full head, lots of lacing and carbonation, good retention.
A: Floral, citrus like grapefruit peel, and slight spice notes, slight honey/lager like malt aromas on the backend, nice balanced aromas.
T: Follows the nose with floral, grapefruit and spice notes, moderate amount of citrus peel like bitterness in the middle, finish has more floral and citrus notes with nice balance of malt, citrus peel lingers in the aftertaste.
M: Light bodied with a good amount of carbonation and a very dry citrus peel like finish, easy drinking.
O: Enjoyed this one, not a "hoppy" IPA but enough hops and bitterness to satiate my taste buds, nice malt balanced aromas and flavors, moderate bitterness and a dry finish. This is another Anchor beer that I could drink everyday without being overwhelmed by the ABV or wrecking my palate.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
12 ounce bottle poured into a pint glass
A: Pours a golden orange with a white creamy full head, lots of lacing and carbonation, good retention.
A: Floral, citrus like grapefruit peel, and slight spice notes, slight honey/lager like malt aromas on the backend, nice balanced aromas.
T: Follows the nose with floral, grapefruit and spice notes, moderate amount of citrus peel like bitterness in the middle, finish has more floral and citrus notes with nice balance of malt, citrus peel lingers in the aftertaste.
M: Light bodied with a good amount of carbonation and a very dry citrus peel like finish, easy drinking.
O: Enjoyed this one, not a "hoppy" IPA but enough hops and bitterness to satiate my taste buds, nice malt balanced aromas and flavors, moderate bitterness and a dry finish. This is another Anchor beer that I could drink everyday without being overwhelmed by the ABV or wrecking my palate.
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3.75/5 rDev -3.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Reviewed from notes. The appearance has a hazy orange/yellow colored body with a fluffy yet lumpy white head. The head slowly left after a minute. Barely any lacing was left. A fair amount of bubbles rose quietly to the surface. The smell has the hops in front and some citrus slightly in the background. The taste is balanced between the hops and citrus getting sweet as it warms and shows its presence in the aftertaste. The palate is medium bodied, balanced, crisp, with a bitter aftertaste and finish. Overall, this is a pretty good American IPA for me.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Reviewed from notes. The appearance has a hazy orange/yellow colored body with a fluffy yet lumpy white head. The head slowly left after a minute. Barely any lacing was left. A fair amount of bubbles rose quietly to the surface. The smell has the hops in front and some citrus slightly in the background. The taste is balanced between the hops and citrus getting sweet as it warms and shows its presence in the aftertaste. The palate is medium bodied, balanced, crisp, with a bitter aftertaste and finish. Overall, this is a pretty good American IPA for me.
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3.98/5 rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Bottle poured into 2/3 pint glass.
Pours very pale orange. Loads of yeasty floaters in this sample. Very fine white head with virtually no retention. Smells very malty, hint of pine and apricot. Taste is of stone fruits with a background of honey. Surprisingly bitter finish. Very delicate carbonation not unlike a decent champagne. Not an everyday choice but quite complex and interesting. Cheers!
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Bottle poured into 2/3 pint glass.
Pours very pale orange. Loads of yeasty floaters in this sample. Very fine white head with virtually no retention. Smells very malty, hint of pine and apricot. Taste is of stone fruits with a background of honey. Surprisingly bitter finish. Very delicate carbonation not unlike a decent champagne. Not an everyday choice but quite complex and interesting. Cheers!
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4.23/5 rDev +8.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Poured from a 12oz can into a speiglau IPA glass.
Look is a golden orange with a thick foamy head.
Aroma is an orange honey malt.
Taste is a lot more of that honey malt, but kinda thin at the end.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Poured from a 12oz can into a speiglau IPA glass.
Look is a golden orange with a thick foamy head.
Aroma is an orange honey malt.
Taste is a lot more of that honey malt, but kinda thin at the end.
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3.58/5 rDev -8.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
12 oz can
golden copper color, white head. aroma is earthy hops. taste is quite bitter, caramel malt flavor, piney hops. not as much citrus as expected from the Cascade. body is thinner, mouthfeel a bit sticky.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
12 oz can
golden copper color, white head. aroma is earthy hops. taste is quite bitter, caramel malt flavor, piney hops. not as much citrus as expected from the Cascade. body is thinner, mouthfeel a bit sticky.
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4.25/5 rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
From Decervecitas. In Teku glass. Playing 8 Bit Adventures. Suprising profile for an ipa.Pretty malty, with strong toffee. Pretty bitter to but without usual american fruityness, just some citrusy end
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
From Decervecitas. In Teku glass. Playing 8 Bit Adventures. Suprising profile for an ipa.Pretty malty, with strong toffee. Pretty bitter to but without usual american fruityness, just some citrusy end
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4.3/5 rDev +10.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Golden clear. Very nice frothy off-white head, fantastic lacing.
High aroma of hops, tropical fruits upfront.
High bitter flavor, medium-low malty sweetness, toasted, high hops flavor.
Medium body, high carbonated, long bitter finish, bit of alcohol warming, smooth, crisp.
Fantastic beer.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Golden clear. Very nice frothy off-white head, fantastic lacing.
High aroma of hops, tropical fruits upfront.
High bitter flavor, medium-low malty sweetness, toasted, high hops flavor.
Medium body, high carbonated, long bitter finish, bit of alcohol warming, smooth, crisp.
Fantastic beer.
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3.94/5 rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
355ml bottle
appearance: light orange, clear, medium carbonation, 1 finger head, good lacing and retention.
smell: fresh piney, slightly citrusy hops (3 months old bottle) maybe even a mint note. Not to strong as other contemporary IPA's, although I'm not sure this is one or a APA.
taste: same as the smell, and I tasted something like a delicate olive/onion flavour, which wasn't out of place, but certainly surprised me. Didn't get that much fruity notes. Bitterness is really nice and balanced with the malts.
moutfeel: carbonation is just what it needs to be, bitterness is just on point and aftertaste is that of fresh hops, piney and dry.
overall: very good beer and given this was the "first" contemporary IPA, you got to give Anchor credit for it. It's a historic brew.
783 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
355ml bottle
appearance: light orange, clear, medium carbonation, 1 finger head, good lacing and retention.
smell: fresh piney, slightly citrusy hops (3 months old bottle) maybe even a mint note. Not to strong as other contemporary IPA's, although I'm not sure this is one or a APA.
taste: same as the smell, and I tasted something like a delicate olive/onion flavour, which wasn't out of place, but certainly surprised me. Didn't get that much fruity notes. Bitterness is really nice and balanced with the malts.
moutfeel: carbonation is just what it needs to be, bitterness is just on point and aftertaste is that of fresh hops, piney and dry.
overall: very good beer and given this was the "first" contemporary IPA, you got to give Anchor credit for it. It's a historic brew.
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4.1/5 rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Very interesting IPA. Poured from a bottle into a pint glass. Cloudy golden yellow with a nice white head and great lacing. Smell is fruity and earthy. Tastes is citrusy but well balanced with malt and bread flavor. Good with food!
231 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Very interesting IPA. Poured from a bottle into a pint glass. Cloudy golden yellow with a nice white head and great lacing. Smell is fruity and earthy. Tastes is citrusy but well balanced with malt and bread flavor. Good with food!
231 characters
3.53/5 rDev -9.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
From notes taken 02/13/17:
Semi-clear orange amber, not too bright, but not dull. Some swirly clouds and the occasional larger flek. Foamy orange-tinted cream colored head of excellent retention. One giant protrusion of fluffy lace. Muffins, fruity candy, light resin or pine, cracker to nose. Semi-tart and hardly bitter up front, crackery backbone, with faint banana-like suggestions, and even more malt tartness toward the finish, as well as zesty, light soapy bitterness. Peppery retro-olfaction. Medium-bodied, abundant soft carbonation with gentler tingles, smoothing to velvet as it sloshes around.
606 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
From notes taken 02/13/17:
Semi-clear orange amber, not too bright, but not dull. Some swirly clouds and the occasional larger flek. Foamy orange-tinted cream colored head of excellent retention. One giant protrusion of fluffy lace. Muffins, fruity candy, light resin or pine, cracker to nose. Semi-tart and hardly bitter up front, crackery backbone, with faint banana-like suggestions, and even more malt tartness toward the finish, as well as zesty, light soapy bitterness. Peppery retro-olfaction. Medium-bodied, abundant soft carbonation with gentler tingles, smoothing to velvet as it sloshes around.
606 characters
3.81/5 rDev -2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pour from bottle to pint glass, deep straw colour with two inches of head.
Caramel and citrus rhapsody on nose.
Sun ripe apricot, citrus peel and honey on palate.
Overall, a well-structured ale, hardly categorize as IPA given the fruity note. Very addictive.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pour from bottle to pint glass, deep straw colour with two inches of head.
Caramel and citrus rhapsody on nose.
Sun ripe apricot, citrus peel and honey on palate.
Overall, a well-structured ale, hardly categorize as IPA given the fruity note. Very addictive.
258 characters
3.87/5 rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
From the can - Last had on 08/22/15
Pilsner glass
This has always been my favorite Ale from Liberty...although i would hardly consider it an American IPA
Golden amber body with plenty of visible carb and a neat stack of khaki tan foam that holds well.
Good dose of citrusy Cascade hops with Biscuity malt character and some additional fruity esters.
Overall well crafted with a crisp, clean, and smooth taste.
413 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
From the can - Last had on 08/22/15
Pilsner glass
This has always been my favorite Ale from Liberty...although i would hardly consider it an American IPA
Golden amber body with plenty of visible carb and a neat stack of khaki tan foam that holds well.
Good dose of citrusy Cascade hops with Biscuity malt character and some additional fruity esters.
Overall well crafted with a crisp, clean, and smooth taste.
413 characters
3.99/5 rDev +2.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
A. Orange/gold with fluffy white foam. Small bubbles everywhere.
S: Citrus and carmel. Fruity
T: Somewhat sweet. More carmel and bread than in the smell. Full taste. Well balanced
M: Hits the back of the mouth instantly. Classic IPA
O: The original IPA that I end up measuring all my IPAs up against. Excellent summer beer
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
A. Orange/gold with fluffy white foam. Small bubbles everywhere.
S: Citrus and carmel. Fruity
T: Somewhat sweet. More carmel and bread than in the smell. Full taste. Well balanced
M: Hits the back of the mouth instantly. Classic IPA
O: The original IPA that I end up measuring all my IPAs up against. Excellent summer beer
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Anchor Liberty Ale from Anchor Brewing Company
Beer rating:
87 out of
100 with
3520 ratings
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