Beer bottled by M&S set up in trial location? (5)
I believe the answer is:
salem
'trial location?' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot see how they can define each other.
'beer bottled by ms set up' is the wordplay.
'beer' becomes 'ale' (type of beer).
'bottled by' means one lot of letters goes inside another (bottle can mean to contain).
'set up' says the letters should be written in reverse (in a down clue, letters go up).
'ms' back-to-front is 'sm'.
'ale' put into 'sm' is 'SALEM'.
'in' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for salem that I've seen before include "New England city, site of 1692 witchcraft trials" , "Witches' home" , "Capital of Oregon, USA" , "Place with allegedly wicked females" , "Meals (anag.)" .)