This section is from the book "Beverages And Their Adulteration Origin, Composition, Manufacture, Natural, Artificial, Fermented, Distilled, Alkaloidal And Fruit Juices", by Harvey W. Wiley. Also available from Amazon: Beverages And Their Adulteration.
The chief difference in the chemical composition of ale and beer is in the increased quantity of alcohol, which for ordinary ales may be rated at about 6 percent.
 
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