ale

noun

ˈāl 

1

: a beer that is brewed by fast fermentation with a quick-acting yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) at relatively high temperatures

Note: Ales tend to have a complex, slightly fruity or spicy flavor with a usually darker appearance than lagers and usually with a more intense, bitter flavor of hops. The yeast used to ferment ale is often referred to as "top-fermenting" since it tends to rise to the top of the brewing vessel during fermentation. This yeast also has a tolerance to higher alcohol concentrations, resulting in a beer with a usually higher alcohol content than a lager.

… ale can be produced more quickly because it is fermented at higher temperatures—from 60 to 70 degrees.

—Frank J. Prial

compare pale ale, porter, stout

2

: an English country festival at which ale is the principal beverage

Examples of ale in a Sentence

The bar serves two very different ales.

Recent Examples on the Web

The historic inn—and ale house—Hopkin’s Ordinary makes for a fantastic place to stay the night. —Madeline Weinfield, Southern Living, 20 Oct. 2024

Try the Capable of Anything, a chamomile blonde ale, or the Kardia, a habanero chocolate stout inspired by the co-owner Sarah Real’s Mexican heritage. —Lauren Matison, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2024

The pub is also packed with ale, mead, and coffee and teas for colder days. —Ashley Mahoney, Axios, 2 Oct. 2024

Aside from the grandeur of that ale, there is something much bigger to ponder here. —Eli Amdur, Forbes, 25 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English ealu; akin to Old Norse ǫl ale, Lithuanian alus

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing ale

• cream ale
• ginger ale
• India pale ale
• pale ale
• pot ale

Kids Definition

ale

noun

ˈā(ə)l 

: an alcoholic drink made from malt and flavored with hops that is usually more bitter than beer