ALE Ingredient is a term used to describe the two main ingredients used in the brewing of ALE. Malt is a grain, usually barley, that is malted and then mashed to produce fermentable sugars. Hops are the flowers of the hop plant, which are added to the beer during the boiling process to impart bitterness and aroma. Both malt and hops are essential components of ALE, and together they provide the flavor and character of the finished product.