Is ale the same as beer?

If you mean an English real-ale which is less processed and less full of chemicals than most commercial lagers then it has to be ale. If you mean a more traditonal lager beer brewed in a proper lager producing countries like Germany or the Czech Republic then lager is much the same as the ale. Some will say that you shouldn't drink alcohol in any form but if like me you enjoy a drink then at least drink something that tastes of something and is not full of chemicals.