Everyone drank ale for the reason you mention. They used to process the ingredients three times giving three different strength beers for different people. The first and strongest batch went to the men, the second to women and the final, called small beer, was for the kids.
I once saw a record of the rations given to various members of Henry VIII’s court. A lady in waiting was given 2 loaves, a pound of roast beef and a gallon of ale for BREAKFAST! They must have been merry times.
Hands down, the last line is the most misunderstood and misquoted line of all Shakespeare's work.
Cade. Be brave, then; for your captain is brave, and vows reformation. There shall be in England seven halfpenny loaves sold for a penny; the three-hooped pot shall have ten hoops; and I will make it felony to drink small beer. All the realm shall be in common, and in Cheapside shall my palfrey go to grass. And when I am king,—as king I will be,— 40 All. God save your majesty! Cade. I thank you, good people: there shall be no money; all shall eat and drink on my score; and I will apparel them all in one livery, that they may agree like brothers, and worship me their lord. Dick. The first thing we do, let’s kill all the lawyers. Henry the Sixth, Part Two. Act IV, Scene 2. [emphasis added]