Liberty Ale
Anchor Brewing Company

Liberty AleLiberty Ale
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From:
Anchor Brewing Company
 
California, United States
Style:
American IPA
Ranked #2,132
ABV:
5.9%
Score:
87
Ranked #17,042
Avg:
3.88 | pDev: 11.6%
Reviews:
1,601
Ratings:
3,569
Status:
Active
Rated:
Sep 09, 2023
Added:
Nov 18, 2000
Wants:
  107
Gots:
  486
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 GuyFawkes:
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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
More User Ratings:
 
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
 
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
Photo of SoCalNative
Reviewed by SoCalNative from California

3.91/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
>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
 
Rated: 4.04 by bubseymour from Maryland

Jun 08, 2021
Liberty Ale from Anchor Brewing Company
Beer rating: 87 out of 100 with 3569 ratings