Head to Head: Anchor Liberty Ale vs. Sierra Nevada Pale Ale

Welcome to another Head to Head challenge. Today we have some more American Pale Ales. Both are from the state of California in America. The first beer is the Anchor Liberty Ale. The second beer is the Sierra Nevada Pale Ale.

As usual the tasting was done blind and to style.

Price: Winner – Sierra

Anchor – $10.99 (6 pack 12 oz bottles)

Sierra – $8.79 (6 pack 12 oz bottles)

Appearance: Winner – Tie

Anchor – This pours a yellowish amber a frothy slightly off white head tha leaves a bit of lace on the glass.

Sierra – Pours a yellowish amber color with a small white head with some lacing left on the glass.

Aroma: Winner – Anchor

Anchor –There is a sweet aroma of straw and molasses. There is also a bit of fruit.

Sierra – It has a faint hop aroma with some citrus but this does not have much aroma.

Taste: Winner – Anchor

Anchor – This is a hint of sweetness followed by some bitterness.

Sierra –There is a light bitterness to start that does not develop any further.

Body/Finish: Winner – Tie

Anchor – Has a light to medium body and a average finish with some nice bitterness.

Sierra – The light body is accompanied by a short aftertaste with a light bitterness.

Overall: Winner – Anchor
Well I must say that I was relatively unimpressed with this tasting. While neither beer is bad I did struggle to find much to really sink my teeth into. They are both drinkable but I can’t really say that I would look forward to them. Of the two the Anchor definitely has a bit more aroma and flavor although I must say that after this tasting and my recent enjoyment of the Terrapin Rye Pale Ale I am surprised that the Anchor beat it in that Head to Head.

~ by alelagerlambic on April 18, 2008.