Why the distinction between Beer and Ale?

Ahh of course. I already read that, should have remembered. (How great is Zythophile btw?) It is indeed a very confusing distinction based on whom you speak with. To make matters worse, the nordic countries (with the exeption of my own) use their word for ale, "öl", to mean all beer including lagers: http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/5278df0569beddb37741ccc2-1024-837/50jse3rh.jpg

 

I've heard "ale" used loosely in this country too; I was told that somebody "likes his ale"........he drinks Fosters.

 

Your logic doesnt follow, seems like a lazy American shortcut logic.

Hefeweizens use a S. cerevisiae yeast so are thus ales (in American usage). However, not all S. cerevisiae yeast would be a hefeweizen yeast, and nothing I said implies that.

Its an all thumbs are fingers, but not all fingers are thumbs situation.

There is probably some name for the fallacy you used, but Im too much of a lazy American to look it up.

 

5 days later, I guess.