Cold beer first for smart fellow (4)
I believe the answer is:
alec
'smart fellow' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.
'cold beer first' is the wordplay.
'cold' becomes 'C' (abbreviation, eg on taps).
'beer' becomes 'ale' (type of beer).
'first' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'c' put after 'ale' is 'ALEC'.
'for' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for alec that I've seen before include "Actor Guinness is smart" , "Sir - Douglas-Home, former PM" , "A smart . . . . is a know-all in lace" , "Guinness (a smart lad?)" , "Boy's name (a smart one?)" .)