ale
AYL/eɪl/
Pluralales
- 1A kind of beer made with a yeast that works at warmer temperatures than the yeast used for lager.
Like dough left to rise in a warm kitchen instead of a cold fridge.
He poured a glass of cold ale at the local pub.
This ale has a smooth, malty flavor.
- 2A kind of beer made without using any hops.
Like bread made without salt: it's missing one ingredient most versions have.
Long ago, people drank ale made only from malt and water.
Their ale was brewed without any hops.
Note
- 3A country festival in old England where people met to drink and celebrate together.
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Origin
From Old English "ealu," going back to older Germanic words for beer.
Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 3 facts
- Ale derives from Old English ealu. en.wiktionary.org
- Old English ealu descends from older Germanic words meaning beer. en.wiktionary.org
- The ancestral Proto-Germanic word meant beer or ale. en.wiktionary.org