ale

noun

ˈāl

: 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

: 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

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Your dutiful Axios Cleveland correspondents are slowly but surely working their way through the region's Christmas ale offerings. —

Sam Allard, Axios, 17 Dec. 2024 This year, Louisville beer lovers have tons of festive brews from which to choose, from seasonal porters and spiced ales to imperial stouts and everything in between. —

Kathryn Gregory, The Courier-Journal, 9 Dec. 2024 Bobo Farmhouse Wheat, a delicate wheat ale with fruity and spicy notes, and Janky IPA, an aromatic IPA with the juicy flavors of citrus, tropical and stone fruits. —

Sandra MacGregor, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024 Enlightened is known for brews including Cream City Brix, Kettle Logic amber ale and Cosmic Nihilism dark lager. —

Jordyn Noennig, Journal Sentinel, 6 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for ale