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Anchor Liberty Ale

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Rating:

79% of 100

72 Reviews

Style

IPA

Country

America

Brewery

Anchor Brewing Co.

ABV

5.9%

Bottle Size

355ml

Serving Temp

10°C

5.9%

355ml

Details
Brewery Info
Reviews

Details

Anchor Brewing has played a significant role in San Francisco's history and their unique beers are all produced in one of the most traditional and handsome breweries in the USA - each brew made from an all-malt mash in their handcrafted copper brew house.

An all-American beauty from California, the Anchor Liberty Ale has been setting the standard of American-style IPAs since 1975. It’s known as the first modern American single-hop and dry-hopped ale.

Effervescent carbonation brings bold aromas of orange peel, grapefruit, florals, and perhaps vanilla to the nose. A creamy mouthfeel is contrasted by its lively carbonation while flavour notes of grapefruit, orange and maybe even sugar cookies are balanced by a crisp lingering bitterness. It’s the perfect example of the style!

Brewery Info

Forerunners of America’s craft beer revolution in the 1970’s and 80’s, Anchor is America’s first and oldest craft brewery, with roots dating back to the California gold rush. Entwined with the history of San Francisco, they produce their beer in a traditional copper brewhouse, where ancient techniques are combined with state of the art technology.

Combining all-malt mash and whole-cone hops, Anchor beer ferments in the cool San Francisco air - giving off the steam that gave us the name Anchor Steam Beer. Their Liberty Ale was the original brew that started off the craft beer revolution - not a bad claim to fame!

Reviews

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Wow

100%

Review by Alex 18/07/2018

Gorgeously fruity and very moreish! From the first taste pure gold. Pineapple the main flavour on the nose and the taste.

Quality stuff

80%

Review by Plethora 27/03/2018

One of those beers where you breath a sigh of satisfaction on first tasting. Full of sharp refreshing flavour.

Quality IPA

80%

Review by Mermaid 15/03/2018

A crisp and sharp tasting IPA beer with citrus notes behind the careful use of hops giving a full balanced flavour.

Pleasant intense beer

80%

Review by Jackson 03/03/2018

Having discovered Anchor Steam whilst in San Francisco, I am continually discovering new products from the brewery such as this intense hoppy IPA.

Flying the flag for American IPA

80%

Review by Albany 25/02/2018

A rich tasting IPA with fruity undertones to the hop induced flavour. To be savoured slowly.

Standard but good IPA

80%

Review by Baton Rouge 23/02/2018

As you would expect Anchor do most things well and whilst this offers no surprises to anyone expecting an IPA, the taste and hoppiness makes for a great beer.

Average

60%

Review by Philip 14/02/2018

Decent beer, quite dry/bitter

Yet another great Anchor brew

80%

Review by Tring 27/01/2018

The Anchor Liberty is a rich malty IPA with plenty of hoppiness giving a balanced but fruity tasting beer.

An Original!

60%

Review by Edward 23/01/2018

This is surely a classic and helped build the foundations of the modern beer scene, but it's now been superseded and is more of an old codger than a genteel eccentric...

One of the best

100%

Review by Spinoza 10/01/2018

America produces many fine IPAs these days and Anchor Liberty is one of the best. A rich hoppiness within a deliciously smooth drink that goes down perfectly.

A perfectly good IPA

80%

Review by Swand 07/01/2018

As with all Anchor brews you know what you are getting. An above average American IPA that makes good use of hops to inform the flavour. Fruity undertones balance the bitterness.

One of the best American IPAs

80%

Review by Reeds 22/12/2017

A delicious IPA from San Francisco's finest. Excellent use of hops to add flavour and a slight bitterness to it's complex taste.

A sophisticated brew from Anchor

80%

Review by Reedy 16/12/2017

A beer with some complex flavours within this American IPA. As with all Anchor beers, the quality is high. The hoppiness is just within the level to not overpower the drinker, giving a slightly bitter taste.

Solid

60%

Review by George 27/09/2017

Nothing wrong with this but it’s a supermarket standard these days

Iconic American IPA

60%

Review by Simon 31/05/2017

I put in a large mixed order for me and friends for the Ryder cup weekend and this was one of the beers I chose. Everyone has to try this iconic beer along with the Anchor steam beer. The stubby bottles are cute and the beer has a nice hoppy quality, but possibly overly bitter to score higher for me. I probably prefer Steam over Liberty.

Anchor-like but far from their best

60%

Review by lenoz 27/04/2017

Like many reviews, was a bit disappointed by this one. It's solid, and it has that recognisable Anchor taste to it, but their more popular beers are more popular for a reason. This one is just a touch flat and unexciting in its flavour profile.

Love Anchor

80%

Review by Beebo 24/03/2017

Dank and resinous pine aromas with bold, citrus and grapefruit notes on the back end. Assertive bitterness with hints of light biscuit malt base and a smooth, dry finish. But you should really try it for yourself. 47 UBA (hops bitterness) resin, citrus, amber, hazy, frothy, medium sweetness, medium bitterness, medium sourness, medium body, creamy,

Need to try this again

60%

Review by Dead Derek 14/03/2017

Ever so slightly disappointed by this one. For all it's reputation, it didn't really deliver. Suffered possibly from being drunk on the same evening as others I much prefer - Stone IPA, Foubders All Day, etc

Anchor can do no wrong

80%

Review by MH 11/02/2017

Pours a hazy orange with a large off-white head, good lacing. The aroma is lightly malty and very lightly hoppy (floral, some citric fruits). Medium body with a low to medium carbonation and a light bitterness - balanced. The flavor is malty, dried fruits, green grapes with a hoppy bitter finish

Average

60%

Review by Klaud 31/01/2017

Quite nice but not a patch on the Steam or California.

Great ipa

80%

Review by MH 06/01/2017

Stone cold classic. Nearly as good as their porter. Buy it.

Bitter caramel

80%

Review by Rozi 01/01/2017

I enjoyed this beer and was surprised by the negative comments. It didn't change my life but i enjoyed it none the less. It starts with hints of caramel had a bitter finish. Better american IPAs are available but this one is very drinkable.

Would recommend

100%

Review by Amy 21/12/2016

Best beer anchor have to offer.

Pretty Good

80%

Review by Ben 19/12/2016

Easily drinkable and well balanced.

Good, but not great

60%

Review by JohnP 16/12/2016

A nice ale, but nothing special, not a patch on their steam beer.

A great IPA from Anchor

80%

Review by Heffer 16/12/2016

A rich tasting IPA type beer with great use of hops to give it a distinctive flavour. Sharp flavours with hints of fruitiness making it a good winter drink.

Nice....

60%

Review by MH 05/12/2016

Golden color with medium white head. Aroma: grapefruit, juicy, hint of candies. Taste: citrus, candies, earthiness, malt. Medium body, lively carbonated, dry finish.

Hopped

80%

Review by Birky 04/12/2016

Strong, hoppy, big bitter finish. Original Anchor steam probably better overall but this is worth a try

Good taste

80%

Review by Tinman72 11/10/2016

Good tasting IPA

a little disappointing

60%

Review by baz the Barn 30/09/2016

quite crisp but not as citrus as expected, agree with previous comment re preference for Anchor Steam

Enjoyable Beer

80%

Review by Elliot 15/08/2016

Better than the Steam for my money. Anchor make some really nice beers and this is another. Has a little bit more going for it in the way of hops than the Steam.

Good but not great

80%

Review by Rob J 31/07/2016

This is a nice beer, but not outstanding - personally I prefer the steam beer

60%

Review by alanbullafc 23/06/2016

Malty and Hoppy, not quite my taste.

Good simple beer

80%

Review by Chris F 18/06/2016

Better than the Anchor Steam beer in my opinion, easy to drink and enjoyable. More to it than Sierra Nevada as well

not for me

40%

Review by jake 06/06/2016

a pleasant enough beer, but was expecting better. pretty average for in my opinion, but maybe just not to my taste.

Amazingly smooth

100%

Review by Jack 20/05/2016

Perfection. Pure and simple the nicest beer this brewery produces. Now my favourite beer.

Amazingly smooth

100%

Review by Jack 20/05/2016

Perfection. Pure and simple the nicest beer this brewery produces. Now my favourite beer.

Taste as expected

80%

Review by Ryans 13/05/2016

Just what you would expect an IPA from Anchor to taste like. Malty and hoppy but with hints of spiciness and a bitter fruity aftertaste. A good example of this style of American brewing.

Pleasant drink

80%

Review by Ryans 10/05/2016

The usual hoppiness to be expected from an IPA style beer. Bottled Anchor beers always have a slightly sharp and bitter edge in bottles compared to on draught and this is no exception. However it is the only way I can enjoy the brewery when not in the US and Liberty is a fine example of the beer type.

Nice IPA type beer

80%

Review by Ryans 08/05/2016

A pleasant tasting beer with a rich malty taste with a fruity background and nice hoppiness to give it that special IPA flavour.

Delicious beer

80%

Review by Ryans 29/04/2016

A delicious malty IPA type beer, with a great use of hops.

Great

80%

Review by Ole 29/03/2016

Crisp, hoppy, bitter, typical American.

Really well rounded ipa

80%

Review by S Stanbridge 28/03/2016

Top quality anchor beer again. Lovely fruit flavours with a nice, bitter finish. I like the 355ml as a bottle size as well.

Odd one out?

40%

Review by JohnH 26/03/2016

Am I the odd one out here, I really like both hoppy IPAs and APAs from the UK, USA and elsewhere and enjoy the variety in them but this beer is just not very nice. There is zero nuance to the hops used here, just a blast or coppery bitterness. It does at least have a bit of malty depth to it and its not too fizzy but thats about it in terms of positives.

Maybe I got a bad bottle (dated 02/2017 so well in date)?

A great American IPA

80%

Review by No1smudger 19/03/2016

Just what I needed, a fresh clean IPA, rich amber colour, and nice hoppy flavour, goes down very well after a hard week

This one hit the spot

80%

Review by Ninja Terrier 14/03/2016

After a long hard day at work I opened a bottle of Liberty ale. The moment the cap was off the hops came flooding out of the bottle bringing a smile to my weary face. This is a well hopped ale with a good depth of flavour and is a credit to Anchor.

Excellent beer

100%

Review by spotteddog 10/03/2016

I enjoyed this as much as the Steam beer. Hits the back of the throat very nicely!

Up there with the best

80%

Review by Kezzy 02/03/2016

A lively, zesty fruity nose, lots of floral hops. Naturally cloudy, lemon and grapefruit and also orange zest giving this American IPA a character all of its own. Drank this on 'Draft' in San Francisco and it was equally great.

Nuanced

80%

Review by Llamaman 13/02/2016

Surprising balance in this one (maybe I shouldn't be surprised - their Porter is a triumph) - it maintains that USA style of hoppiness, but not at the expense of balance with the malt backbone. A bit of a classic.

Tiptop

100%

Review by Chunks 22/12/2015

Lovely taste no nasty aftertaste
really enjoyed this ale will be ordering again

Usual Anchor Excellence

80%

Review by Ay Pee Horne 08/11/2015

A lovely little IPA, with plenty of floral and citrus influences. Could have been amped up a bit in terms of the ABV, but it's not a massive issue.

Great IPA

80%

Review by Ryans 07/11/2015

The subtle flavours make Anchor beers a bit special and this is no exception.. A sharp hoppy beer that goes down easily.

Rich and hoppy

80%

Review by Ryans 17/10/2015

A fruity and malty beer with the level of hoppiness you expect from an American IPA. Another great beer from Anchor.

Tasty

60%

Review by Bab 21/08/2015

A lovely little fruity iPa... But not one I would purchase often... I prefer a strong hoppy iPa

Not as good as I was expecting

40%

Review by David 14/05/2015

Hoppy but almost sweaty aroma...like if someone had stuck a bunch of hops under their armpit. Carries on in the taste with big bitterness.

More fruity hop and less sweaty when it's super chilled. Big bitterness still present but less flavour...which is both a good and bad thing.

Anchor supreme

100%

Review by Will Green 21/04/2015

Easily one of my favourite beers to come out of the states. The taste has exceptional depth of sweetish caramel malt and other herbal hops. The finish is long, clean and bittersweet. This is one of my favourite beers available on beer hawk

Super beer

100%

Review by stivvy 12/04/2015

This is loved by my sons, I love the citrus tones

A classic

80%

Review by RachB 14/03/2015

This is a classic. However, it comes up against stiff competition from Founders brews and its stablemate Steam. Personally, I prefer Steam and Centennial from Founders but this is still a cracking brew

Classic Craft IPA

80%

Review by Tom 08/02/2015

One of the original citrus-hopped, fruity Craft IPA's said to have had a helping hand in kick-starting the craft beer revolution in the late 70's. What's not to love?

Lovely

80%

Review by Gavin 06/02/2015

A nice fruity little beer but like some other reviews I prefer the Anchor Steam beer. Would still earn a place in the fridge!

great ipa but not the best

80%

Review by windy 23/01/2015

Great hoppy taste but fairly bitter. I personally prefer anchor steam beer but that doesnt mean this beer is sub par

Takes no Liberties

80%

Review by Jack Swans 22/01/2015

I bought this as part of the American Discovery mixed case. had some classics in it.

Clear straw yellow and orange. Aroma is citric, honey, malty chocolate. Taste is malty with slight hop and biscuit aftertaste. Hints of citrus flavors such as lemon and orange rind. Good carbonation, tickles the tongue. Low to medium body and slightly syrupy at the finish. Anchor Brewing Company do not disappoint with this one.

Decent but not exciting

60%

Review by DM 11/01/2015

A little too bitter for my taste. Fine as a one-off drink, but I wouldn't want to drink it too often.

A classic

100%

Review by Beer Tinted 09/01/2015

The names 'Anchor' and 'Steam' are synonymous in world brewing, but for me, Liberty Ale is the daddy. This is a wonderfully structured beer, with firm malt and layers of Cascade hop; not over-powering, not unbalanced, just right. The carbonation is entirely natural too, so it spritz and refreshing (not bloating like so many carbonated beers). There are much more powerful and pungent IPAs if you want them, but for me, this is elegant and pitched just right. A wonderful beer, a classic.

Fab beer

100%

Review by EJ 08/01/2015

Reminds me of californian holidays. Crisp hoppy taste

Best of America

100%

Review by gazzarazza 06/01/2015

A unique beer that speaks to the best if American brewing. Full-bodied and richer than the usual run of the mill US APA's, this is a real treat.

nice beer

80%

Review by bob 15/12/2014

it has all the aspects of an IPA fruity, floral and bitterness, but they are toned down. I drank it after the siren sound wave and i didn't think it was as good. i also have to agree with reviews above it is quite bubbly/carbonated

Delicious!

100%

Review by CC 07/12/2014

A fruity little beer with that lovely American hop taste.

A cracker

100%

Review by Tony 18/11/2014

A cracker. My type of beer. Lively & tasty. A real treat!
Will buy & drink many more!

Prefer Steam

80%

Review by Paul 27/08/2014

Lovely but prefer the Anchor Steam

Very British but with added fizz

80%

Review by Keith 01/03/2014

Nice pale ale but fuzzier than English equivalents

Superb...but is it as good as Sierra Nevada?

100%

Review by Jon Bob 06/09/2012

What a lovely beer. Very much my type of drink. It comes exceptionally close to beating my all time favourite US beer, Sierra Nevada, also stocked on this website. Close, but not quite