ALE

ALE, noun 1. A liquor made from an infusion of malt by fermentation. It differs from beer, in having a smaller proportion of hops. It is of different sorts, chiefly pale and brown; the first made from malt slightly dried; the second, from malt more considerably dried or roasted. ale was the common drink of the ancient inhabitants of Europe. It is usually made with barley; but sometimes with wheat, rye, millet, oats, etc.2. A merry meeting in English country places, so called from the liquor drank.Medicated Ales are those which are prepared for medicinal purposes, by an infusion of herbs during fermentation.

---

ale. Ale, n. a liquor made by infusing malt and hops in boiling water, and then fermenting them

---

Ale (āl), n. [[AS. ealu, akin to Icel., Sw., and Dan. öl, Lith. alus a kind of beer, OSlav. olŭ beer. Cf. Ir. ol drink, drinking.]] 1. 1. An intoxicating liquor made from an infusion of malt by fermentation and the addition of a bitter, usually hops.
☞ The word ale, in England and the United States, usually designates a heavier kind of fermented liquor, and the word beer a lighter kind. The word beer is also in common use as the generic name for all malt liquors. 2. 2. A festival in English country places, so called from the liquor drunk. “At wakes and ales.” B. Jonson.“On ember eves and holy ales.” Shak.