Anchor Liberty Ale | Anchor Brewing Company
Brewed by:
Anchor Brewing Company
California, United States
anchorbrewing.com
Style: American IPA
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 5.90%
Availability: Year-round
Notes / Commercial Description:
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.
Added by kbub6f on 11-18-2000
HISTOGRAM
Ratings: 3,464 | Reviews: 1,579
4.12/5 rDev +6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
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 contemporay 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, a bit 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.
785 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
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 contemporay 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, a bit 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.
785 characters
3.67/5 rDev -5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
4.1/5 rDev +5.7%
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
3.96/5 rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
3.53/5 rDev -9%
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
4.12/5 rDev +6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
3.15/5 rDev -18.8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
3.36/5 rDev -13.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
3.22/5 rDev -17%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
3.75/5 rDev -3.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.36/5 rDev -13.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
4.59/5 rDev +18.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Usually hate IPA's, but this has to be the best I've had.
57 characters
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Usually hate IPA's, but this has to be the best I've had.
57 characters
4.21/5 rDev +8.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.81/5 rDev -1.8%
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
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
4.17/5 rDev +7.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
3.87/5 rDev -0.3%
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 +2.8%
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
326 characters
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
326 characters
3.6/5 rDev -7.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Anchor Liberty Ale from Anchor Brewing Company
Beer rating:
3.88 out of
5 with
3,464 ratings
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4