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

Producing award-winning craft beers in a 10-barrel brewery, the selection includes lagers, pilsners, porters, stouts, bocks, crème ales, Belgians, pale ales and IPAs. —Ben Davidson, Mercury News, 28 Apr. 2025

Such an unorthodox venture resulted in a tasty ale that’s become a proud tale at Long Island’s Saint James Brewery. —Gary Stoller, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025

Key Lime Pie Ale – A tart and creamy ale with a light, refreshing balance of citrus and malt. —Noel Burgess, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025

The brown ale is flavored with cinnamon, clove and nutmeg, offering an autumnal kiss that can be enjoyed year-round. —Eve Chen, USA TODAY, 12 Feb. 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