[frogjerk]

Ale is also supposed to be drunk live and not dead. Meaning, the yeast is still active. Dead beer was dumped. This is how it was drunk in Medieval times which helped it not to make you sick.

Ale was drunk by all in the household including children. It was a low ABV drink but the Brewer (Almost always the woman of the house) would often brew a strong Ale for the adults for actual drinking pleasure.

[Pennsyltucky Boy]

I like to think of beer (and wine) as the main method utilized in western culture to avoid death from water borne diseases like dysentery. Beers and ales have just enough Alcohol content to kill most of the germs. It has the additional benefit or side effect of getting you a little drunk.