Gifted Edward consumes beer and books (8)
I believe the answer is:
talented
'gifted' is the definition.
(synonyms)
'edward consumes beer and books' is the wordplay.
'edward' becomes 'ted'.
'consumes' is an insertion indicator.
'beer' becomes 'ale' (type of beer).
'and' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'books' becomes 'NT' (New Testament).
'ale'+'nt'='alent'
'ted' placed around 'alent' is 'TALENTED'.
(Other definitions for talented that I've seen before include "Naturally gifted" , "Brilliant" , "Possessing ability" , "Endowed with gifts" , "Showing a natural aptitude" .)