Liberty Ale
Anchor Brewing Company
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- From:
- Anchor Brewing Company
- California, United States
- Style:
- IPA - American
Ranked #2,311 - ABV:
- 5.9%
- Score:
- 87
Ranked #16,990 - Avg:
- 3.88 | pDev: 11.6%
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Dec 30, 2021
- Added:
- Nov 18, 2000
- Wants:
- 107
- Gots:
- 484
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.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
3.75 by kuhndog from New York on Dec 30, 2021
4.1 by LesDewitt4beer from Minnesota on Nov 18, 2021
4.29 by gwydno from Spain on Nov 14, 2021
3.97 by Daneve76 from Australia on Sep 27, 2021
3.75 by blackcloud from Alaska on Sep 16, 2021
3.67 by Hefsbeercaps from Ohio on Aug 06, 2021
3.91/5 rDev +0.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
by SoCalNative from California
>BIAS ALERT<
I'm not a big fan of West coast IPAs.
Some are good. Most aren't.
Now to the Liberty Ale!
Poured a BEAUTIFUL color of a polished piece of amber. Lots of bubbles. Head stuck around for 5+ minutes. Nice lacing! Taste is strictly that Cascade Hops taste, not too bold but just enough to get that bitter mouthfeel. Nice carbonation! Not much of a lingering bitter aftertaste like I've experienced with some beers (Rebel Rouser, Ranger IPA, Torpedo). Definitely a nice, refreshing brew.
Overall I think it's a great beer for a hot day or a nice drawn out bbq.
Jul 06, 2021
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
by SoCalNative from California
>BIAS ALERT<
I'm not a big fan of West coast IPAs.
Some are good. Most aren't.
Now to the Liberty Ale!
Poured a BEAUTIFUL color of a polished piece of amber. Lots of bubbles. Head stuck around for 5+ minutes. Nice lacing! Taste is strictly that Cascade Hops taste, not too bold but just enough to get that bitter mouthfeel. Nice carbonation! Not much of a lingering bitter aftertaste like I've experienced with some beers (Rebel Rouser, Ranger IPA, Torpedo). Definitely a nice, refreshing brew.
Overall I think it's a great beer for a hot day or a nice drawn out bbq.
Jul 06, 2021
4.04 by bubseymour from Maryland on Jun 08, 2021
4.06/5 rDev +4.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by deleted_user_1314598
I like this beer, I picked up a 12 ounce can at my local La,bodega and noticed right off the bat that it was crisp/clean..
I poured a 12 ounce can into my 16 ounce Belgium tulip glass, and got a nice 1 1/2 finger head with a beautiful copper glow...This is a nice beer because it's a traditional straightforward ale... I don't have to worry about chill haze, and white chunks floating around in it like all these other millenial, HAZY, IPA's I've been running into lately...
Nice and crisp..That means alot these day's for me...This beer has a very safe, clean beer taste, that I will definitely keep my eyes open for in the future...Definitely will make it's way into my rotation..I love this Ale...
May 30, 2021
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by deleted_user_1314598
I like this beer, I picked up a 12 ounce can at my local La,bodega and noticed right off the bat that it was crisp/clean..
I poured a 12 ounce can into my 16 ounce Belgium tulip glass, and got a nice 1 1/2 finger head with a beautiful copper glow...This is a nice beer because it's a traditional straightforward ale... I don't have to worry about chill haze, and white chunks floating around in it like all these other millenial, HAZY, IPA's I've been running into lately...
Nice and crisp..That means alot these day's for me...This beer has a very safe, clean beer taste, that I will definitely keep my eyes open for in the future...Definitely will make it's way into my rotation..I love this Ale...
May 30, 2021
4.15 by TwilightBeerCareer from Illinois on May 22, 2021
3.67 by Arg914 from New York on Apr 05, 2021
3.74 by funku2 from Colorado on Mar 09, 2021
3 by SkiBum22 from New York on Feb 28, 2021
4.12/5 rDev +6.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
by ThirstyLion from New Jersey
Liberty Ale is a crisp, solid, toasted session IPA classic that has really stood out over the years. Liberty Ale is clean, medium-bodied, well-filtered & to this day one of my favorite daily drinkers. My refrigerator almost always has a six pack of Liberty Ale in it.
I really enjoy the hop profile of this beer. To me, Liberty Ale is the epitome of a West Coast IPA. I live in the Northeast and we have an absolutely horrendous assortment of Anchor beer on the shelves at most grocery stores such as Wegmans or ShopRite. Unfortunately, Anchor's sales reps just don't get the job done here in New England.
Every time I'm out in San Francisco I make sure to imbibe on all of the wonderful bruise that we miss out on from Anchor, here in the Northeast.
Feb 01, 2021
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
by ThirstyLion from New Jersey
Liberty Ale is a crisp, solid, toasted session IPA classic that has really stood out over the years. Liberty Ale is clean, medium-bodied, well-filtered & to this day one of my favorite daily drinkers. My refrigerator almost always has a six pack of Liberty Ale in it.
I really enjoy the hop profile of this beer. To me, Liberty Ale is the epitome of a West Coast IPA. I live in the Northeast and we have an absolutely horrendous assortment of Anchor beer on the shelves at most grocery stores such as Wegmans or ShopRite. Unfortunately, Anchor's sales reps just don't get the job done here in New England.
Every time I'm out in San Francisco I make sure to imbibe on all of the wonderful bruise that we miss out on from Anchor, here in the Northeast.
Feb 01, 2021
3.77 by mothmanscott from Georgia on Dec 08, 2020
3.34 by DvdP from Netherlands on Sep 27, 2020
4.05 by mattreitz49 from Florida on Sep 13, 2020
3.92/5 rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
by HoppyBastard from Nebraska
Poured from a 12 ounce can into a Shaker pint glass, there is no "best by" date that I can find.
APPEARANCE: Pours a clear, copper color with one-finger off-white head that slowly dissipated until a thin layer of small bubbles remained, heavy lacing on the glass, medium carbonation, a nice looking beer.
SMELL: Sweet bread and flowery, subtle to the nose.
TASTE: Initially sweet honey and then a flowery hop profile that lingered in a good way.
PALATE: medium body and carbonation.
OVERALL: this is a mild tasting IPA by today's standards but I really enjoyed having it, hard to believe it was being brewed in the dark ages of beer in 1975, I would buy this again no problem and would recommend to anyone who likes craft beer.
Sep 11, 2020
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
by HoppyBastard from Nebraska
Poured from a 12 ounce can into a Shaker pint glass, there is no "best by" date that I can find.
APPEARANCE: Pours a clear, copper color with one-finger off-white head that slowly dissipated until a thin layer of small bubbles remained, heavy lacing on the glass, medium carbonation, a nice looking beer.
SMELL: Sweet bread and flowery, subtle to the nose.
TASTE: Initially sweet honey and then a flowery hop profile that lingered in a good way.
PALATE: medium body and carbonation.
OVERALL: this is a mild tasting IPA by today's standards but I really enjoyed having it, hard to believe it was being brewed in the dark ages of beer in 1975, I would buy this again no problem and would recommend to anyone who likes craft beer.
Sep 11, 2020
3.23 by Jeez from Massachusetts on Aug 15, 2020
3.86/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by RyanK252 from California
Bottle poured into a Mountain Rambler Brewery pint glass
A: Pours crystal clear golden amber with a frothy eggshell white head that settles to a firm layer and laces nicely.
S: Herbal spicy pine, citrus zest, floral notes, lightly toasty bready malt, and just a touch of sweeetness.
T: Classic Cascade hops in their purest form, spicy pine, citrus zest, grapefruit and lemon, floral notes, slightly toasty bready malt, and a pretty much bone dry finish wit only the lightest touch of malt sweetness.
M: Medium body, moderate carbonation.
O: Was intending for this to be a revisit because I was finally able to find a fresh bottle, but it looks like I've never logged it on here, so...
It might not have all the flash of today's IPAs, but you can see why it grabbed people's attention back in the day and has been brewed ever since. Respect the classics.
Aug 07, 2020
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by RyanK252 from California
Bottle poured into a Mountain Rambler Brewery pint glass
A: Pours crystal clear golden amber with a frothy eggshell white head that settles to a firm layer and laces nicely.
S: Herbal spicy pine, citrus zest, floral notes, lightly toasty bready malt, and just a touch of sweeetness.
T: Classic Cascade hops in their purest form, spicy pine, citrus zest, grapefruit and lemon, floral notes, slightly toasty bready malt, and a pretty much bone dry finish wit only the lightest touch of malt sweetness.
M: Medium body, moderate carbonation.
O: Was intending for this to be a revisit because I was finally able to find a fresh bottle, but it looks like I've never logged it on here, so...
It might not have all the flash of today's IPAs, but you can see why it grabbed people's attention back in the day and has been brewed ever since. Respect the classics.
Aug 07, 2020
2.5 by eldoctorador from Chile on Jul 15, 2020
2.75 by TallGuyCM from California on Jun 16, 2020
3.71/5 rDev -4.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
by chitoryu12 from Florida
Look: Clear, dark gold. Half a finger of bubbly white head with decent retention.
Smell: Floral. I can smell lavender and orange peel.
Taste: Begins with a floral hop taste, followed by medium hop bitterness that lingers for a bit. Very mild sweet malt at the back that's hard to detect.
Mouthfeel: Slightly thin, with very high carbonation.
Overall: This definitely feels like one of America's first post-Prohibition forays into the IPA. It's historic, but still lacking the punch and complexity of the modern beverage.
Jun 04, 2020
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
by chitoryu12 from Florida
Look: Clear, dark gold. Half a finger of bubbly white head with decent retention.
Smell: Floral. I can smell lavender and orange peel.
Taste: Begins with a floral hop taste, followed by medium hop bitterness that lingers for a bit. Very mild sweet malt at the back that's hard to detect.
Mouthfeel: Slightly thin, with very high carbonation.
Overall: This definitely feels like one of America's first post-Prohibition forays into the IPA. It's historic, but still lacking the punch and complexity of the modern beverage.
Jun 04, 2020
4.1 by smi69 from New York on May 25, 2020
4.11 by SauceMcSauce from Pennsylvania on May 03, 2020
3.81/5 rDev -1.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by lastmango from Pennsylvania
Poured a clear orange amber color with a two finger white head t hat dissipated quickly to a thin film. Moderate lacing. Peach/apricot nose. Taste follows the nose with added hop forward flavor and pronounced on the finish. Refreshing. Moderate body and carbonation.
Mar 29, 2020
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by lastmango from Pennsylvania
Poured a clear orange amber color with a two finger white head t hat dissipated quickly to a thin film. Moderate lacing. Peach/apricot nose. Taste follows the nose with added hop forward flavor and pronounced on the finish. Refreshing. Moderate body and carbonation.
Mar 29, 2020
3.86 by Blogjackets from Ohio on Mar 20, 2020
3.89 by BlueShepard19 from Kentucky on Mar 17, 2020
4 by doctorgary from New York on Mar 11, 2020
3.83 by jmbeerdude91 from Arizona on Feb 21, 2020
3.53 by SFHbeerME from Maine on Dec 31, 2019
4.33/5 rDev +11.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
by Ant777uk from England
Loving the bottle, beautiful.
Reminds me of being in Belgium.
Top notch head and colour. Mega citrussy aroma. Really refreshing, as much as any beer I have had before ever.
Phenominal for summer in the sun. It's winter, f u c k.
Dec 31, 2019
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
by Ant777uk from England
Loving the bottle, beautiful.
Reminds me of being in Belgium.
Top notch head and colour. Mega citrussy aroma. Really refreshing, as much as any beer I have had before ever.
Phenominal for summer in the sun. It's winter, f u c k.
Dec 31, 2019
3.91 by MJSFS from Florida on Dec 07, 2019
3.81 by miwestcoaster from Michigan on Nov 30, 2019
4.04 by Lanas from Greece on Nov 29, 2019
3.83/5 rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by ThemThangs from California
Smells like it's going to be sweet at first, then the floral hops come through.
Taste wise this is really nice, one of the more balanced IPAs i've had. I could drink more than one of these without getting overwhelmed with the style (unlike many other IPAs).
Oct 18, 2019
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by ThemThangs from California
Smells like it's going to be sweet at first, then the floral hops come through.
Taste wise this is really nice, one of the more balanced IPAs i've had. I could drink more than one of these without getting overwhelmed with the style (unlike many other IPAs).
Oct 18, 2019
3.75 by PhineasMcClintock from Massachusetts on Aug 25, 2019
3.81 by Biggiekrock627 from Maryland on Aug 22, 2019
3.9 by aprabhu from Kentucky on Aug 18, 2019
4.16/5 rDev +7.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
by MrOH from Malta
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
Jul 07, 2019
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
by MrOH from Malta
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
Jul 07, 2019
Liberty Ale from Anchor Brewing Company
Beer rating:
87 out of
100 with
3557 ratings