Ale, Bitter, Real Ale, Brown Ale.

People visiting the UK are often confused by the terms Ale and Bitter.
Bitter generally is a wide all encompassing term for beer that is not Lager, Cider, Stout, Brown Ale or Mild.
Ale is a term that can include all but Cider and Lager and includes bitters, brown ales, porters. If you just ask for an Ale you'll get pot luck or a strange look. If you ask for a bitter you generally get the house best bitter.
You may be better asking for a real Ale. Which can cover anything from a Hand pump apart from Cider.

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Laughing_Gnome_Invisible said:

Of course though, if you are in unfamiliar surroundings it always best to ask the barman what he recommends. They usually know what the good stuff is!

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Orfy said:

Ale is a generic term that does not describe any particular style of beer but a wide range of styles. Bitter is a bit more focused. Real ale can include Pilsners.

I hope that has clarified it a bit.

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