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

Allagash has been brewing Belgian-style ales in Portland since 1995. —Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026

As for those already on the menu, Carter said Big Grove customers especially love Citrus Surfer Lime (a wheat ale) and Easy Eddy (a hazy IPA). —Kansas City Star, 15 May 2026

Come evening, and the amber lighting of the Manor Inn beguiles; settle in with a pint of the local Wainwrights ale and its beef brisket with red wine gravy and roasted root vegetables. —Rob Crossan, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 May 2026

The lobster rolls are just as good—even better when washed down with a local ale from Buzzards Bay Brewing. —Anna Laird Barto, Travel + Leisure, 13 May 2026

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

Rhymes for ale

• ail
• bail
• baile
• dail
• fail
• flail
• frail
• gael
• gail
• grail
• hail
• jail

Kids Definition

ale

noun

ˈā(ə)l 

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