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

Check Out Local Craft Breweries Beer enthusiasts can enjoy Guadalupe Brewing, where craft brews include pilsners, ales, hefeweizens, and more paired with menu items such as muffalettas and artisan pizzas. —Amanda Ogle, Southern Living, 10 Sep. 2024

The ale made with white wheat and pilsner malt has flavors of peach preserves, tart lime and a dash of sea salt, according to the brewery. —Jessica Rodriguez, Journal Sentinel, 14 Aug. 2024

It was aged for a minimum of eight years—originally in new American oak and ex-bourbon and rye whiskey barrels, and then in casks that were previously used to age Scotch ale, stout, brown ale, doppelbock, saison, and stock ale. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 6 Aug. 2024

In the early days, when small brewing equipment was either prohibitively expensive or non-existent and had to be hand-built, ales were significantly easier to brew, and almost all of the early craft breweries made ales exclusively. —Jay R. Brooks, The Mercury News, 1 July 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