Alcohol more satisfying when not teetotal (4)

I believe the answer is:

beer

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

'alcohol' is the definition.
(I know that beer is a type of alcohol)

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for beer that I've seen before include "Drink brewed with malt" , "eg Bitter" , "It may be 13 across-ed!" , "Drink flavoured with hops" , "The standard English drink" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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