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

Stop in at Haw River Tap & Table for a barroom with board games, a spacious patio, farmhouse-style ales, and an atmosphere that feels like hanging out at a friend’s house. —Kelly Alexander, Southern Living, 10 Aug. 2025

Weekend beers: Funky Buddha Brewery in Oakland Park will try to flip the switch to fall on Friday with the seasonal release of cinnamon-y/marshmallow-y Sweet Potato Casserole ale in six-packs. —Ben Crandell, Sun Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2025

IndyStar taster rating: ⭐⭐ (2 stars) Sun King’s cotton candy ale didn’t quite do for me what last year’s pickle beer did, but that probably says more about me than the drink itself. —Bradley Hohulin, IndyStar, 3 Aug. 2025

This toasty ale lays down a warm, welcoming foundation for a flavorful adventure. —Jess Fleming, Twin Cities, 18 July 2025

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