Ale to the selling of beer labeled "strong beer" that had actually been diluted with small beer. In medieval times, ale may have been safer to drink than most water (the germ theory of disease was unheard of, and the sterilizing properties of boiling unknown); however, there is no period evidence that people were aware of this nor that they chose to drink ale for this reason. The alcohol, hops, and some ingredients in gruit used to preserve some ales may have contributed to their lower load of pathogens, when compared to water. However, ale was largely safer due to the
Copper ale Copper ale Copper ale is a style of ale known in part for its copper color. Some varieties of copper ale may be produced to have a bitter flavor, such as that of a bitter, the English term for pale ale. Beer brewed with dark malt may contribute to a copper-colored beer. Copper ale is the flagship beer of Otter Creek Brewing, a craft brewery located in Middlebury, Vermont. It is also produced by other U.S. companies, such as Boulder Beer Company in Boulder, Colorado. In Australia, the James Squire brand of copper ale named The Constable Copper Ale is