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
Frank J. Prial2
: 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
An amber ale lends depth of flavor to this tender, juicy pot roast.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 4 Oct. 2025
During my visit, customers could choose from a blonde ale, red lager, Modelo beer or hard kombucha lemonade.
—Sacbee.com, 27 Sep. 2025
At Oktoberfest, you must be seated to quaff your ale, so start table scouting early.
—Rebecca Deurlein, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Koch spent hours trying to convert me to the radical, boundary-pushing vision his team brought to IPAs, Russian Imperial Stouts and the notorious high-octane dark ale dubbed the Arrogant Bastard.
—Peter Rowe, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ale
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Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 4 Oct. 2025
During my visit, customers could choose from a blonde ale, red lager, Modelo beer or hard kombucha lemonade.
—Sacbee.com, 27 Sep. 2025
At Oktoberfest, you must be seated to quaff your ale, so start table scouting early.
—Rebecca Deurlein, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Koch spent hours trying to convert me to the radical, boundary-pushing vision his team brought to IPAs, Russian Imperial Stouts and the notorious high-octane dark ale dubbed the Arrogant Bastard.
—Peter Rowe, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ale
Cite this Entry
“Ale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ale. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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ale
noun
: an alcoholic drink made from malt and flavored with hops that is usually more bitter than beer
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