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 On the menu right now, for instance, is the jasmine rice lager Tiebreaker Series, the mandarin wheat ale Buzzer Beater and a five-spice saison, Heritage. John Metcalfe, The Mercury News, 24 May 2024 The brewery’s original Monterey outpost won a bronze for its Mai Tai P.A. in the American-style strong pale ale category, while the Salinas brewery won a silver for its Howzit Punch (American-style sour ale) and a bronze for Single Cone (American-style IPA). Jay Brooks, The Mercury News, 6 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for ale 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ale.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of ale was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near ale

Cite this Entry

“Ale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ale. Accessed 3 Jun. 2024.

Kids Definition

ale

noun
: an alcoholic drink made from malt and flavored with hops that is usually more bitter than beer
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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