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DictionaryaleType of beer
noun

ale

AYL/eɪl/

Beer brewed with top-fermenting yeast.

The brewer collects yeast from the top of the ale as it ferments.

A brewer harvests thick yeast from the top of an open beer fermentation vessel; a glass of finished amber ale reinforces the beverage connection.
Etymology
aleOld Englishale, beer

Old English ealu named ale or beer; the modern sense applies that inherited drink-name to a particular kind of beer. Its deeper origin is uncertain.

In context

Chronicle - Medieval History Documentaries135:07
The sugar-rich barley is ready to be turned into ale. I'm not making beer, I'm making ale. Beer is technically ale plus hops. And there's going to be no hops involved
What It Was Like To Live On A Medieval Farm As A Peasant | Tudor Monastery | Chronicle

More examples

  • She chose a pale ale from the menu.
  • The brewery produces several ales.
  • He compared the flavor of the ale with the lager.

Forms

ale · ales

Similar words

beer
The broader beverage category.
lager
A different major brewing type, generally fermented at cooler temperatures.