The term "ale cup" refers to a drinking vessel uniquely designed for ale or beer. However, there are other terms that can be used interchangeably with ale cup, such as beer mug, stein, tankard or chalice. Each term describes a specific type of drinking vessel that is used for consuming beer or ale. A beer mug typically has a handle and a wide mouth, while a stein often has a hinged lid. A tankard is a large mug made of metal, while a chalice is a stemmed drinking glass with a wide bowl. Regardless of the term used, all these synonyms depict a vessel made for serving and consuming beer or ale.