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

Mead, ale and turkey legs will be available at this all ages event. —Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 27 Feb. 2026

For libations, the pub serves draft Guinness (non-alcoholic Guinness bottles are available too), Irish ales, wine and other staple beers. —Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Feb. 2026

In 2024, Third Space won two medals at the Great American Beer Festival, including a gold medal for its Pretty Good amber ale. —Adrienne Davis, jsonline.com, 24 Feb. 2026

Brewed with Florida citrus peel and citrus-forward hops, Ten10’s owner-brewer Mike Wallace says Orange County Reporter is a fun take on their tried-and-true blond ale recipe. —Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Feb. 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