Crossword Genius

Absolute ecstasy drinking a large cask-fermented beer (4,3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

real ale

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'beer' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'absolute ecstasy drinking a large cask-fermented' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'absolute' could be 'real' (I've seen this in another clue) and 'real' is located in the answer.
'ecstasy' could be 'e' (informal term for the drug) and 'e' is found in the answer.
'a' is within the answer.
'large' could be 'l' (eg in clothes sizes) and 'l' is found in the answer.
This accounts for all the letters.
This may be the basis of clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for real ale that I've seen before include "Cask-conditioned beer" , "What CAMRA wants" , "CAMRA interest" , "Beer fancier's drink" , "Bitter, possibly" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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